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Gluten Free RN

Gluten Free RN, Nadine Grzeskowiak RN BSN CEN, talks about every aspect of celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten free lifestyle & diet, Paleo lifestyle, microbiome and all related issues.
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Now displaying: March, 2017
Mar 31, 2017

“Cheap food is an illusion. There is no such thing as cheap food. The real cost of the food is paid somewhere. And if it isn’t paid at the cash register, it’s charged to the environment or to the public purse in the form of subsidies. And it’s charged to your health.”

–Michael Pollan

Adopting a gluten-free lifestyle can be incredibly overwhelming, and many are resistant to the idea. Maybe you don’t want to give up the foods you love, or you don’t think you can do without pizza and beer. But the truth is that in order to heal, coping is your only option.

 Nadine is here to tell you that going gluten-free is not as difficult as you think. In fact, if it’s hard – you’re doing it wrong! She recommends a number of healthy gluten-free and Paleo-friendly food options, explains how your taste buds will change as you rid your body of addictive proteins, and discusses how to approach your grocer to request gluten-free alternatives. It’s time to stop eating for convenience and begin eating to enjoy high-quality food!

 What’s Discussed: 

Why going gluten-free can be challenging

  • Emotional attachment to food
  • Function as reward/comfort

 How to change your mindset to embrace the gluten-free lifestyle

  • Remember that there is plenty of other food to eat
  • Create a new ‘country’

 Why celiac patients should avoid eating meat from cattle fed on grass treated with glyphosate

  • Celiac patients are trying to heal increased permeability of the intestinal wall
  • Chemical in Roundup can cause ‘leaky gut’

 Nadine’s tips for realizing a healthy gluten-free diet

  • Don’t simply replace gluten-containing with gluten-free products
  • Focus on nutrient dense, whole foods high in good fat
  • Choose organic fruits and vegetables
  • Select 100% grass-fed, antibiotic free meat
  • Avoid dairy (proteins are molecularly similar to gluten)
  • Use almond, coconut or hemp milk and Kite Hill cheese/yogurt
  • Satisfy your sweet tooth with molasses, honey and occasionally maple syrup
  • Pick foods that have been processed very little or not at all
  • Explore new vegetables
  • Try bars when you are on the go (e.g.: Lärabar, EPIC, KIND)
  • Freeze fruits and vegetables to savor year round
  • Consider going Paleo (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, fish and eggs)

 The benefits of turning your lawn into a garden

  • ‘Growing food is like planting money’
  • Allows you to enjoy kale, tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, squash, etc.

 How to tailgate on a gluten-free diet

  • Explore gluten-free alcohol options (i.e.: Ground Breaker, 2 Towns, honey mead)
  • Try gluten free snack foods like Kettle Brand or Jackson’s Honest chips and Jilz Crackers
  • Enjoy guacamole, salsa, hummus and pesto dips
  • Sample desserts like Hail Merry Miracle Tarts

 Nadine’s guidelines for selecting healthy foods

  • No more than five ingredients
  • Should be able to picture each ingredient

 Quality sources of fat

  • Bacon
  • Pumpkin seed and nut butters
  • Olive oil
  • Avocados
  • Eggs

 Resources Mentioned:

 Kite Hill

 Ground Breaker Brewing

 2 Towns Ciderhouse

 Kettle Brand Chips

 Jackson’s Honest Chips

 Jilz Crackers

 Hail Merry Miracle Tarts

 Lärabar

 EPIC Bar

 KIND Snacks

Connect with Nadine: 

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Mar 24, 2017

Wherever there is wheat, there is susceptibility to celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a growing global problem, exacerbated by the popularity of the western diet around the world. This issue has personal, social and political implications as it places a significant economic burden on individuals, communities, and even entire nations.

 The Gluten Free RN brings us a ‘big picture’ perspective of the celiac and gluten sensitive population around the world, as we learn about how other countries support these individuals. She also covers the industries that have begun to recognize the power of the gluten free population as a consumer group.

 Nadine will be doing some globe-trotting herself come September for the International Celiac Disease Symposium in New Delhi, and she is currently soliciting advice regarding where and how to eat safely during her travels in India and Thailand. Feel free to message her with recommendations!  

What’s Discussed: 

When and where wheat originated

  • Fertile Crescent (Northern Africa and the Middle East)
  • 10,000 years ago
  • High prevalence of celiac disease in these regions now

 The International Celiac Disease Symposium

  • September 2017 in New Delhi
  • Held every two years
  • Scientists, medical professionals and other interested parties
  • Share latest research

 Where celiac disease is common

  • Anywhere people are eating grains
  • More widespread as other regions adopt a western diet
  • Increased risk in Punjab population of India

 The basics of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

  • Can present in many ways (300+ signs and symptoms)
  • #1 autoimmune disease in the world
  • More likely to recover the sooner identified
  • 30-50% of the population carry the genes (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) that indicate predisposition
  • Body doesn’t have enzymes to break down gluten proteins
  • Gluten damages intestines
  • Nadine recommends adopting a Paleo diet in order to heal

 The World Health Organization’s “burden of disease”

  • Measures the impact of celiac disease
  • Based on financial cost, mortality, morbidity, etc.

 How Italy supports celiac patients

  • Provide extra days off work for doctor’s appointments, shopping
  • Ship gluten free food

 Potential symptoms of celiac disease affecting every ethnicity

  • Odd gait (gluten ataxia)
  • Skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)

 The power of celiac and gluten-sensitive patients as a group

  • Largest untapped market in the world
  • Some industries taking notice (pharmaceutical, food)
  • Use influence to heal selves and educate others

 Why some people are so resistant to eliminating grains

  • Sometimes crave what is bad for you
  • Nutritional deficiencies may cause addiction

 Resources Mentioned:

 Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies -  by Jared M. Diamond

Connect with Nadine: 

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Mar 17, 2017

It’s not a matter of if, but rather when you will encounter an emergency situation. And if you suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it is incredibly important that you are prepared with the appropriate supplies you will need to endure a hurricane, earthquake, blizzard, or other disaster.

 Nadine teaches you how to stock your cupboards with nutrient dense foods should you need to shelter in place for an extended period of time. She also outlines other essentials you will need to stay alive and assist others who may need help!

 What’s Discussed: 

Nadine’s experience responding to Hurricane Katrina

  • People were unprepared
  • FEMA provided only cheap filler foods

 Why it’s important to stock nutrient dense foods in case of emergency

  • Alleviates stress
  • Allows you to feed yourself for a period of time

 Nadine’s list of nutrient dense foods to stock

  • Protein bars
  • Gelatin
  • Jerky (without soy, teriyaki sauce)
  • Canned tuna, sardines
  • Canned chicken, turkey
  • Protein powder
  • Seaweed
  • Nuts
  • Pumpkin seed butter
  • Chocolate bars (80-100% cocoa, no milk)
  • Many more! Listen for the full list!

How to cope with a loss of electricity

  • Consume foods stored in freezer first
  • Prioritize eating perishables

 The importance of being self-reliant during a time of emergency

  • Helps you avoid overburdened hospitals and clinics

 Other essentials to have on hand in case of emergency

  • Multi-vitamins
  • Prescription medications (keep list in wallet/purse)
  • Can opener
  • Heat source (paper, wood)
  • Sleeping bags, pillows and blankets
  • Flashlights w/ working batteries
  • Extra batteries
  • Socks and shoes
  • First aid kit
  • Waterproof containers
  • Gluten free shampoos, lotions
  • Extra contact lenses and solution/glasses
  • Cash
  • Pet food

 How to obtain water if forced to shelter in place

  • Utilize water heater

 Resources Mentioned:

 Country Life Vitamins

 Road ID

Connect with Nadine: 

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Mar 10, 2017

Freeze your poop and mail it to Texas!

In all seriousness, a stool analysis can offer vital information about your body’s absorption of fat and nutrients, and today the Gluten Free RN explains the significance of knowing your fecal fat score and other baseline labs that can offer clues about how gluten has adversely affected your health.

Nadine outlines recommended labs for celiac disease and gluten intolerance, discussing how each test can inform the way you tweak your diet or add necessary supplements to your health care routine. She also reviews the importance of follow-up labs to track how you are healing and help you get better, faster!

What’s Discussed: 

The importance of standardization in celiac testing and follow-up labs

Things to consider re: the results of a celiac panel

  • 70% produce a false negative
  • A positive test guarantees intestinal damage
  • Lab to lab variability can be problematic
  • Must include total IgA and IgG
  • Interpretation can be problematic
  • Ask for a hard copy of your results

 Why a “gluten challenge” is dangerous

  • No medical or social reason to do so
  • May cause organ damage

 Additional tests that can offer valuable information

  • Fecal fat score (ask for #, over 300 indicates malabsorption)
  • Complete blood count
  • Comprehensive metabolic panel
  • Vitamin D3 level (below 40 ng/ml is critically low)
  • Vitamins A, E & K levels
  • Vitamin B6 & B12 levels
  • MTHFR gene test
  • Magnesium RBC test
  • Zinc level
  • Iodine level
  • B9/Folate level
  • Ferritin level
  • Iron level
  • Thyroid panel
  • Bone density test
  • Lipid panel
  • ANA test (autoimmune issues)
  • ESR test
  • CRP test

 How to obtain reimbursement for labs

 Why a diet change is preferable to medication in lowering cholesterol

  • Statin drugs don’t treat the underlying cause of chronic inflammation
  • Still at risk for heart attack and stroke

 What a stool analysis can tell you about your microbiome

 Why you should avoid food allergy testing in the first year of a gluten-free diet

Resources Mentioned:

Cyrex Labs

EnteroLab 

Connect with Nadine: 

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Mar 3, 2017

On this episode of the ‘Gluten Free RN,’ Nadine helps you get on the road to recovery with a gluten-free, casein-free diet. She walks you through what to expect and offers tactics that will support your success.

 Nadine breaks down the steps you should take to make your home a gluten-free space and ensure your comfort and health when you are on the go. She also talks you through how to carefully select food that is not just gluten-free, but also nutrient dense.

 Nadine explains the significance building a support system that includes a knowledgeable healthcare team and peers who’ve adopted a gluten-free lifestyle. Listen and learn how to get better, faster as you get started on a gluten-free diet!

 What’s Discussed: 

Why it is necessary to eliminate both gluten and casein

  • Microvilli that break down sucrose and lactase are first destroyed, last to grow back
  • The gluten and casein proteins are molecularly very similar
  • The body reads casein as a threat and triggers the immune system

 The particulars of taking a daily liquid multivitamin

  • Consider twice a day, morning and night (when your body heals)
  • Take with food and high-quality fat
  • Make sure it doesn’t contain wheat grass or barley grass

 How to clean your home thoroughly to remove all gluten

  • Meticulously clean out kitchens and cupboards
  • Give away wooden utensils, cutting boards, pastry cloths, rolling pins and colanders
  • Eliminate personal care products and pet supplies containing gluten
  • Wash your hands before you eat
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before eating

 Why it’s important to carry snacks with you

 The challenges of eating out on a gluten-free, casein-free diet

  • Staff may not have a clear understanding of a gluten-free diet
  • Cross-contamination risk can be very high

 How to rebuild your microbiome

  • Eat things that are alive, i.e.: sauerkraut, fermented food, kombucha
  • Especially important if you’ve ever taken antibiotics

 What to expect in the first days of going gluten-free

  • The feeling you can’t get enough to eat
  • Cravings for gluten and dairy products
  • Symptoms of illness as your body detoxes (headaches, fatigue, diarrhea)

 How to read labels to ensure gluten-free food is high-quality

  • Look for certified gluten-free labels
  • Make sure it’s also nutrient-dense
  • Nadine suggests only buying products with a maximum of five ingredients
  • Only buy products if you can picture each of the ingredients listed

 The importance of joining a support group

  • Share experiences, resources
  • People to shop and eat with

 The necessity of building healthcare team to assist with your lifestyle transition

  • Understand the baseline and follow-up labs needed
  • Might include Nurse Practitioner, MD, DO, Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Chiropractor and Massage Therapist

 The benefits of keeping a diary or food log

  • Allows practitioners to offer feedback
  • Could include pictures of any painful areas
  • Track your progress with new photos every three months

Resources Mentioned: 

Nadine’s Getting Started One-Pager

drrodneyford.com

countrylifevitamins.com

EZ Gluten Food Testing

Nima Sensor Test Kit

Connect with Nadine: 

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

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