Gluten-Free Diets and “Cereal Killers”

While hashing through my feed reader for the first time in AGES lately, I read with great interest a blurb about a book called Cereal Killers on Val’s cooking blog. (I also found some very cool ipod reviews, iPhone deals, and cell phone plans to research, but that’s for another story!).

Cereal Killers provides answers to many questions and concerns raised by new and long-time members of the gluten-free community. From associated illnesses to psychological issues, to the basics about the diet, this book provides useful information for everyone, especially to those who are not yet aware that they should also be following a gluten-free diet. This new book explores signs, symptoms, and appropriate testing, along with dietary compliance and factors that influence these important issues.

This patchwork quilt of information is a must-have for every home library where gluten induced illness is either present or suspected. Cereal Killers is also important reading for those who suffer from vague symptoms of ill health but do not yet have a diagnosis.

WOW!

This confirms many of my own suspicions about cereal and gluten in the diet. I do believe that gluten gluts the American diet. Gluten coupled with the excesses of high-fructose corn syrup in our foods makes us fat, sick, and lethargic.

Historically, people ate high-protein meals for breakfast, such as eggs and sausage, whole-wheat johnny cakes with molasses, or fruits. Sometime in the early 20th century (if I am getting my time correct), a man named William Kellogg (a Christian Scientist) wanted to promote the grain industry, and he believed that Americans needed more grain in their diets. He created Kellogg’s breakfast cereal. It’s been a long time since I have read up on this, so my facts may be a little sketchy… but cereal became a staple in Americans’ diets then.

There’s a movement underway in America to return to fresh fruits and vegetables as the staple in our diet. It’s like it’s some kind of revolution, the way the food industry is acting. It challenges us to take a good hard look at the foods we are given to eat, and ask WHY must we eat these things. I stopped one day and asked myself that question. On the grocery shelves, there’s Choice A and Choice B and Choice C and Choice D. But there is really very little difference between all the choices. WHY do I have to eat this stuff? WHY should I believe that it is healthy for me? WHY are vegetables– which are so easily grown and are not “manufactured” in factories– so much more expensive than Doritos and hot dogs and sausage– which is made in factories by many workers? How can this be?

Anyway, I think it’s GOOD that we are presenting these questions, and changing our diets. I think I may check out this book, Cereal Killers. If I can ever get the time to read!!!