Are you one of the many suffering from GI problems...constipation, diarrhea, or simply pains and too much gas? Most people experience abdominal problems at some point over the course of their lives. There are many issues to consider when looking for the cause of your belly pains. The number one thing to think about is the food you eat. The top 2 foods that cause GI distress in a number of ways are dairy and gluten. We all know what dairy is and where it comes from. It is anything made from the milk of a cow. The protiens in cows milk, whey and casien, can be hard for many people to digest. The sugar in milk is also difficult for people who are lactose intolerant to digest. Gluten on the other hand is something many people are unfamiliar with. It is something that many of us eat on a daily basis even when we're unaware of it. Gluten sensetivity is common and not limited to those with Celiac disease as was once thought. It is used in many prepared foods as a filling agent due to it's affordability. People who are gluten sensetive may have symptoms ranging from excess gas & bloating to reflux or full episodes of constipation or diarrhea. It will make a person feel not only uncomfortable in the abdominal region, but also tired, unable to think clearly, anxiety and a multitude of other symptoms. These 2 foods can also be passed on to a breastfeeding infant causing symptoms of colic and reflux. When gluten and dairy are removed from the mother's diet the symptoms of colic or reflux will frequently improve.
If you are concerned that you may be sensetive to one of these foods 6 weeks free of both offending foods is a good idea. This allows your body time to heal. When introducing foods back into the diet it may take 3-4 days for a reaction to show from that offending food so introduce only 1 new food per week and watch for a response.
