Gluten Free or Gluten to be, that is the question…

Since the 6^th grade I have run low blood sugar. This is referred to as Hypoglycemia. It often later develops into full blown diabetes and almost guarantees you will be gestational diabetic for your pregnancies.

When pregnant with our 1^st and 2^nd children I was borderline diabetic and was told to count my carbs and eat more protein rich foods. With our 3^rd child I was VERY Gestational Diabetic and was nearly put on insulin. This is not exceptionally well for the health of your child so I was given a chance to follow a strict diet instead. It was extremely difficult not to indulge in the pregnancy cravings and nausea friendly foods but knowing the health of my child was at stake, I followed gluten free, high protein, low carb diet (& lots of fiber). Those 5 months were the biggest dent on my budget!

With all of this being said, it has been imperative over the years that I watch what I eat. I was never one who indulged in a lot of rich or sweet treats, (I do however enjoy many chocolates and desserts on holidays and when Tracy so generously shares her amazing culinary masterpieces). Since my bout with gestational diabetes I have pondered many a time going back to this gluten free diet to ward off the Adult Onset Diabetes I am prone to have as well as for the many other health and weight loss benefits that go along with such a diet. The problem with this lifestyle change being the COST, and for a growing family of 5, cost is ALWAYS an issue.

Our food budget consumes around a quarter of our monthly income! We faithfully visit Sam’s Club once a month using their ready for pickup feature combined with my business Market America’s cash back for shopping (free to join)in order to save and stretch bulk items as far as possible. This definitely helps, however this means buying those high carb comfort foods that fill you fast, keep you stocked and don’t deplete the wallet as quickly.

While I would love to say that my family’s health is my number one concern, it can’t be my only concern at the top when finances play into the bigger picture at a more alarming rate. If I were to follow the gluten free diet I would no longer pay $.89 a loaf times 6 loafs of bread per month totaling $5.38; instead I would pay $4.89 per loaf for the gluten free bread in the freezer section and total $29.34. That extra $23.69 could get me 5 other bulk items such as a 5lb container of cottage cheese for $6.88, a 5lb container of sour cream for $5.68, 10lbs of yellow onions for $4.98, 10lbs of Russet potatoes for $3.48 and 3lbs of bananas at $1.44 with $1.23 to spare to splurge on a pop at the checkout for the ride home.

Now you might say this is just setting you up for more problems later in life as far as a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet that promotes heart health and wards off obesity, diabetes and other weight related health concerns you are more prone too. ABSOLUTELY right…..what do you do?

Suggestions welcome, comment below.

Dedication...

I have become incredibly addicted to food blogs over the years and especially since watching Julie and Julia. One of my favorites is by a classmate, Heather, who writes Mrs. McQuillan Masters Meals.  You should check it out!

Traditionally the food blogs I have had experience with have written about new recipes they try and their triumph to success with them. I will likely get around to that, but to start with I will throw in some topics for debate and post my favorite recipes that make it on our menu once a month guaranteed.  To my closest friends and family, do not be surprised to see some of yours appear and thanks for sharing your best!

This blog is dedicated to my BESTIE Sonya, who has had many cooking adventures with me over the years, to my sister Tiffany, again many cooking adventures over the years, and to my mom who is a dietician at two nursing homes in my hometown, but as a result is burnt out and uninspired by the thought of cooking by the time she gets home, yet never ceases to get excited about co-planning menus for times shared together.

I would also like to send a quick thanks to Tracy for her constant motivation, introduction to new recipes and wonderful food, to my mother and sister-in-laws for their introductions to a whole new family of recipes and home cooked traditions and to my husband who over the years has never held back in telling me which recipes are keepers and which should be burnt in effigy. Last but not least, thanks  to all of my own family for sending me out in the world with the memories of wonderful meals to pass on to a growing family.