I've been navigating a minefield of Maltodextrin lately and didn't even realize the danger of it. Sure, I thought it was some kind of sugar alcohol or something and I've been compromising on my sugar off and on since my mom passed away. BUT I know that is no excuse and if she were here she would bust me to the Starship Wheatless' brig! Anyway, this evil thing called Maltodextrin is actually part of a larger minefield of the most problematic hidden sources of wheat and gluten. I share the list at the end of this post.
For the past year and a half, I've been eating some meal replacement bars off and on (Adkins). A friend had given us a cargo bay full of them! We try to pass them on to people that we might find in need (people on the side of the road and etc). Sure, I checked the labels and nothing sounded like wheat or gluten, but I should have known better! Anyway, I got lazy and they came in handy. So that said what affects did it have on me?
Looking back on my romp through this minefield, I've noticed several things: increase in cravings and a regression of my health (pain & discomfort). As I type this, I am munching on some semisweet chocolate morsels. Yeah... I just can't keep those in bulk anymore because I will eventually lead daily raids on the supplies! Potato chips and ice cream have also been and urge.
Besides the sugary cravings, there is the pain and discomfort.
Ok... it is NOT to the level of before I totally went wheat free, but I've been regressing steadily enough to worry me. Oh and there has been the tiredness too, heck some days I have crashed on the couch just warn out. So as of today, I am saying NO to these meal replacement bars and along with them the slight weight gain (off and on), the literal pain in the neck (and other places), and they have given me some digestive issues that has resulted in a trip to the pharmacy aisle!
Through all this, I've learned that if I do not have Ciliac Disease, then I most certainly have a gluten sensitivity. I suspect Ciliac due to the severity of certain symptoms throughout my life before going wheat/gluten free.
Anyway here is a list of some of the most problematic hidden sources of Wheat/Gluten according to Dr. Davis' book "Wheat Belly Cookbook". I urge everyone to go buy his books. Keep them, highlight them and refer back to the information! The excerpt follows:
Colorings/fillers/texturizers/thickeners:
These hidden sources can be among the most problematic, since they are often buried deep in the ingredient list or bear misleading names that suggest they have nothing to do with wheat or gluten. Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell from the label, nor will the manufacturer be able to tell you, since these ingredients are often produced by a supplier. A useful rule of thumb: Whenever possible, avoid processed foods that are likely to contain such ingredients.
Artificial colors, Artificial flavors, Caramel coloring, Caramel flavoring, Dextrimaltose, Emulsifiers, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Hydrolyzed wheat starch, Maltodextrin, Modified food starch, Stabilizers, Textured vegetable protein.
So as of today, the Starship "Wheatless" is in need of a good overhaul! As captain of this ship, I hope it is swift and I do not have a mutiny on my hands brought about by crazy withdrawal behavior! Here is focusing on the best!
I feel tired... oh no... crashing? Yes, I had eaten a few of those bars yesterday!
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