We have now returned from all of our summertime traveling. Nothing too far, but quite busy and fun!
We were off to the beach, off to visit family, friends, and relatives.
Enjoying the sunshine, outdoors, parks, zoos, beaches, pools, picnics, shopping, sports, mini-golfing, movies, hikes, blueberry picking, Farmer’s Markets, and lots of eating in new places.
And, for those of us living gluten-free or with other food allergies, that always adds its own sauce to the mix, so to speak.
This year, our week at the beach was a bit different.
I arrived ready for my relaxing “day at the beach,” but found myself intrigued by watching what those around me were eating.
We really are a society that eats what is in front of us. We reach for what is convenient, easy, quick… mostly by not thinking about it too much. Unless, of course, you or a family member are living gluten-free, then we may be overthinking it at times.
But I have to admit, I was taken aback by how many people eat so mindlessly.
Yes, my family and I do indulge a little on vacation – always sticking to our gluten-free safe foods.
We enjoy that bucket of fries – the kids savor them while on the boardwalk.
You could pretty much order a bucket of fries, pizza, ice cream, or fudge at nearly every corner while at the beach.
Everywhere people were eating, eating, eating!
I had a hard time sleeping a few nights . . . thinking too much about all the food?
Maybe . . . but being overtired the next day, my appetite was way off! So, yes, I wanted something to eat that I usually didn’t indulge in and couldn’t find so easily with our particular diet.
Did you know that lack of sleep really messes with your gut?
Your gut goes into distress, messes up your hormones, and even makes you hungrier!
Sleep is so important to keep yourself healthy. For those of us living gluten-free or with other food intolerances, sleep is EXTREMELY important!
Maybe I was feeling a little sorry for myself (lack of sleep kicking in again!) But I was getting a bit discouraged to not just go out and grab food like everyone around me – especially for my children.
I was a little shocked by my feelings as I went through all of this when first diagnosed to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and corn-free.
It was a process to work through- but I got through it then. So, why was I having so much “want” of unnecessary foods? Hormones? Lack of sleep? Probably.
When we are away from our regular daily routine or home life, our bodies get a bit messed up.
So, we have to be a bit more mindful of what we want to eat. I believe that if you want that ice cream or big cookie, you should have it – always gluten-free of course!!
Never make yourself sick on purpose!
If you want to eat a food you don’t typically eat due to following a healthier lifestyle, well, go right ahead.
As a society, we beat ourselves up on “oh, I cannot eat that, it will make me fat, or it’s not healthy for me!” Then we spend all day wishing we had just eaten it and feeling deprived. Eat the cookie.
Enjoy it! Savor it – and go on with your day. You deserve a break.
This is how we step away from deprivation when living gluten-free.
When we follow a different lifestyle from others, or need to watch what we eat very carefully, we are different from those around us.
We look at everything as deprivation. No one wants to go without.
I was going through a little of this on vacation, being out of my typical environment.
Following a gluten-free life makes you very mindful of everything you eat, very mindful of what foods are made of, very mindful of how food affects your body.
All of that can make you much healthier in today’s world.
Something to be thankful for, of course!
So, even while away on vacation, always stick to the healthy gluten-free or allergy-safe life you follow.
Fulfill yourself with friends, family, doing things that fill you up with joy – then you will just be happy with what you are eating along the way!
Hope your summer travels have been fun and fulfilling- and haven’t thrown you off of your gluten-free lifestyle!
Let me know how you spend your summer – do you indulge more when away?
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