I dont think i like my doctors advice.

Last week, I had a much-overdue appointment with my doctor. Originally scheduled because of persistent chest pain (thankfully just a pulled muscle), I took the opportunity to discuss an ongoing issue: stomach discomfort post meals or runs. The verdict? It might be time to bid farewell to wheat and possibly dairy.

Many of her patients, she shared, experience similar symptoms – bloating, pain, cramps after meals. Her advice? Experiment by eliminating wheat, and if required, dairy. Given that I already steer clear of meat, poultry, fish, and eggs, and occasionally indulge in dairy (who can resist pizza?), the real challenge will be parting ways with wheat. I mean, who doesn’t love the allure of freshly baked bread?

The approach is simple: test the waters without wheat or dairy for a few weeks, then reintroduce one at a time to identify the real culprit. Admittedly, the idea of restricting my diet isn’t appealing, but the prospect of pain-free runs certainly is. Here’s hoping this journey of elimination helps pinpoint the source of my discomfort.

For my plant-based athlete soul (and to satiate any toast-with-peanut-butter cravings), I embarked on a weekend of food prep. Stocking up on rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and Vega Recovery Bites should make this transition smoother.

However, the past days have been a learning curve. Accidentally consuming wheat (yes, even corn chips have them!) made me realize the stealthy presence of wheat in many foods. Maybe, just maybe, reducing its intake might be the golden middle road I need, especially before rigorous running sessions.

As I pen this, the desire for a wholesome sandwich lingers. If you’ve been down this road, or currently walk this path, I’d love to hear your experiences. Are you living the gluten-free or wheat-free life by choice or necessity? And importantly, have you stumbled upon wheat-free bread that doesn’t resemble cardboard? Your insights and tips would be invaluable! 🌱🏃‍♀️🍞