When Did We Get So Scared?
I grew up in a normal household. Sure, we had the occasional food/drink rules, like no cereal with sugar as the first of second ingredient, poptarts had to be unfrosted, Kool-aid only made it home when Dad was in charge and those sugar wafer cookies were out altogether (you know the ones I mean!).
But really, I don’t feel like I missed out on anything growing up. And I don’t think I was taught to fear any foods. Dairy and gluten were all normal parts of my life, so maybe that’s why I’m so bothered by how these foods are so taboo lately.
When did we get so scared of certain foods?
**This is the part where I tell you that I know many people have serious allergies to dairy and gluten and I am not attacking anyone who does or suggesting you eat anything you’re allergic to!
Also, I understand veganism is personal lifestyle choice and I would never insult anyone who has made the choice to eliminate animal products from their life. If you truly believe in something, all the more power to you!**
Maybe it’s because so many people are being diagnosed with sensitivities/allergies that dairy and gluten have gotten such a bad rap, or because they’re associated with the the carb monster and fat monster respectively, but I’m here to tell you I don’t subscribe to those fears.
In fact, I love dairy.
Always have, always will.
And guess what else. I also love my health, so maybe I’m not eating all three of these products in one meal, but I don’t believe in making things off limits.
This includes fresh, crusty gluten-y bread.
With cheese.
And maybe even some meat. Because when you’re body craves something, you should listen and give it what it needs.
Hello, yogurt, I know you’re hiding under there somewhere.
All I’m saying is that while many people suffer from dairy and gluten intolerances, many others don’t. Don’t get caught up in the dairy/gluten-free hype. If you don’t have an allergy don’t feel pressured into eating a certain way just because it seems like everyone around you is.
(Oops, there’s that stripped towel…)
Hi, my name is Lauren and I eat gluten and dairy. And the occasional meat product, when I crave it. And I drink almond milk because I think it tastes better, not because I think it’s better for me than real milk.
And I fear nothing.
Except bees. And public speaking. And my sister’s driving.
I digress.
What taboo foods do you eat?
Lauren Loves Good Food 
Perfectly put 🙂 It’s just food. Sisters driving and public speaking (I agree) are things to be afraid of – not FOOD, for Pete’s sake! Well…I guess I am a little afraid of the color that the insides of Toaster Strudels are…
Uh, anyways. While I don’t usually opt for dairy, it doesn’t have anything to do with fearing it and same goes for meat. Just my personal views about it – I have absolutely nothing against people that do eat it! And crusty bread? Oh. my. God. yes, please! I love bread. I do think it’s great that people are becoming more aware of gluten sensitivity and more companies are making gluten-free products, though. Seems like it helps to make it easier for those people that do have gluten sensitivity or celiacs. That said, it’s not something I’ve really experimented with.
Haha I used to love toaster strudels, or the frosting at least. I’m all for making the lives of people with Celiacs easier, but why eat gluten-free if you don’t have to?
Great post! I agree that no food group should be “off limits” or “feared” unless you really don’t like it or you’re allergic to it.
I eat gummy bears sometimes. (Ok, more often than I should.) I think that counts as a food group. 😉
You and Joey both!
Hi. My name is also Lauren and I eat shit tons of gluten, dairy, and meat. All three of those things three times a day, each. Easily.
Wahoo!
Well put! I am with you on this topic. I totally understand when someone has an allergy, or someone has chosen to eat a certain diet that they believe in. I do have a problem with people going gluten/dairy free as a diet. I often see this with people I come in contact with. I feel like screaming at them. I mean whoever came up with the idea to use such dietary guidelines as a weight loss diet??
I feel like screaming too! I just hope people start to realize that gluten or dairy free is not a way to lose weight, it’s just a way to restrict yourself and restriction ain’t healthy!
Amen, sister! I am sick to death of people treating all gluten products like they’re the enemy or something. I agree that certain people do have intolerances, but if gluten products haven’t bothered you, then I say let’s all feast on bread and be merry! I once witnessed a friend compliment someone on eating a gluten-free diet and say that it’s something they wish they could do if they had better willpower…yet this same person has never had any issues digesting gluten. They were just interested in going gluten-free for weight loss. It just annoys me that dietary issues have become the latest “trend diets.” Personally, I have mild lactose intolerance, and as a result, I do have issues digesting certain dairy products (particularly milk, cream, and ice cream), but I’ve never avoided those products for weight loss. I avoid them (not always so successfully in the case of ice cream! lol) just because they make my stomach freak out not to mention they make me ridiculously gassy! And trust me, no one wants to deal with extra farting. It ain’t pretty….
Ha ha ha! That’s ridiculous that someone would compliment someone else on eating gluten-free when that person didn’t have an intolerance! My mom has lactose intolerance but continues to eat dairy like nobody’s business. Oh, Mom.
You bring up some really good points, Lauren. I see more and more people lately who aren’t intolerant to gluten, but who are hell bent on avoiding it anyways. It’s like… why? Gluten has no effect on the body of a person who isn’t allergic to it, so why make life even more complicated by going out of your way to go on a “special” diet. Honestly, to me, it’s just a form of more “acceptable” restriction. People who want to control their weight use that kind of stuff as excuses not to eat… and that’s just wrong.
I don’t eat meat because I don’t crave it, but I love gluten and dairy. I even eat “gasp” egg yolks! Oh the horror! /sarcasm off.
I so agree with you, Amanda!! In fact, I took a health and nutrition class last semester and before we talked about Celiac’s my teacher made a side not that a lot of people go gluten/dairy-free as an excuse not to eat certain foods. It’s definitely restriction in a different form. When I actually started listening to my body, I began eating a lot less meat because, well, I didn’t crave it.
Good points Lauren – I think what people “fear” the most these days is what is put into their food. For me, it’s not so much “good food vs. bad food” but the quality of the food I’m eating.
I think being concerned about quality is a good thing!
ah I loveeee my cheese… always will, too! I do think Gina @ Fitnessista made a good point on her blog that gluten has absolutely no health benefits for those who aren’t sensitive to gluten. I actually always wondered if people just “did it” as a diet! Post —> http://fitnessista.com/2011/06/readers-request-gluten-freedom/
-courtney
Thanks for sharing the link!
Seriously, I don’t know why we’re so scared. To eat white bread, full on dairy, beef, meat. Well, actually most people I know aren’t scared — it just seems like a lot of bloggers that I’ve come across are. I tried to be vegetarian for a few years,but my body didn’t like it. I need my meat 😛
I’m glad you listened to your body 🙂
I eat lots and lots of gluten…I will never give it up unless my body decides otherwise! And it better not. 🙂 It’s hard because I feel like recently more and more people are discovering intolerances that they didn’t know they had, due to advances in the medical community and public knowledge, so I try to always be open to people who may be trying to cut out gluten or dairy or meat in order to see if it improves their health. I did a detox from those foods and that’s how I found out about my lactose intolerance. But I TOTALLY agree with you that people without those issues shouldn’t be afraid of those foods just because “gluten free” and “dairy free” have become buzz words. Great post!
Call me crazy but I’d rather not get tested for any intolerances. I feel great and ignorance is bliss, right?
Haha, if you feel great then YES, ignorance probably is bliss!
I agree with you- I think people are way too quick to claim food intolerances when there really isn’t one. But that’s just from my own observations…
I’ll eat bread and cheese all day. It’s amazing.
Today, I crave Philly cheese steak. And that’s what I shall have. Fear is the wrong motivator. Thanks for keeping it real Lauren.
I eat all kinds of food. I think avoiding any specific food or food group is more harmful than good. Variety is the spice of life 😉
Your an asshole! I’m a fine driver!
Yours truly,
Sister
Epic comeback….except your sister is an English major and will correct you on your use of the language. But asshole trumps all! 🙂
sorry about the bold. oops. she’s an asshole , and I’m an idiot. and the world is again in balance.
Being better than Dad does not make you a good driver! And it’s YOU’RE, not your. But thanks for not killing us today on the mountain.
Oh I love this! 🙂 I do admittedly like some of the weird stuf f(like almond milk!) and I like to experient with gluten-free baking and such mostly becuase it’s a challenge… but some days there’s nothing better than a buttery chocolatey sugary cookie (like I posted yesterday haha) and you know what? That’s a-okay 🙂
❤
n