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Guest Post: Cheryl Harris of Harris Whole Health and Gluten-Free Goodness

Shirley Braden

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Today, I am honored to have Cheryl Harris join us here at gfe. Cheryl has been practicing as a registered dietitian and nutrititionist for the last 10 years. She is gluten free and lives free of several other foods as well. You may remember Cheryl from Wendy’s (Celiacs in the House—update:   this blog is no longer in existence) inspiring 30 Days to 50 series. She was on Wendy’s support team. Well, I met Wendy at the International Food Bloggers Conference (IFBC) and she’s a true delight, but that’s a discussion for another post (specifically, my delayed IFBC post). 

The important factor related to this post is that Wendy looks sensational and is continuing to do very well! Clearly, the lessons Wendy learned from Cheryl and others on her team have helped her greatly with her efforts to improve her health and take care of herself. After an initial faux pas on my part (mistaking Cheryl for another Cheryl—long story), Cheryl and I ended up emailing each other and I asked if she’s be willing to speak to my support group. She graciously agreed and will be the speaker for our December meeting—woohoo! But why limit great info from Cheryl to just her presentation to my support group? And, even my members and I don’t want to wait that long to hear everything she has to share, so I also asked if she’d be willing to do a guest post. Again, she graciously agreed, even with me suggesting the topic—inflammation.

Yes, I can be a little pushy like that. Inflammation is a topic that I have a lot of interest in because resulting inflammation is one of the reasons that eating processed gluten-free specialty products is not a wise choice for those of us trying to heal. Cheryl lives and works in Alexandria, VA providing nutrition sessions and classes on Celiac disease and other food intolerances.  She considers herself incredibly lucky, because she loves her work and the chance to help others enjoy healthy, safe and delicious  foods despite food restrictions.  You can learn more about Cheryl, her programs, and her approach at her sites: Harris Whole Health and Gluten-Free Goodness.

Shirley and I crossed paths a few months ago and I was delighted to discover a shared passion for healthy, gluten-free, “real food” eating.

When I started on a gluten-free diet many years ago, I was totally thrown for a loop.  Not only did I have issues with gluten, but I was already avoiding dairy, eggs, rice, corn, and citrus and limiting sugar because of food intolerances. Even as a dietitian, I felt like I was sinking fast.  This was before the days of support groups, blogs and a variety of great cookbooks.  And so…there were potato chips….spoonfuls of cashew butter with agave…and Pamela’s Ginger cookies, too. I didn’t even LIKE potato chips.  I was just frustrated, overwhelmed, depressed and struggling with a bunch of chronic pain issues and Lyme’s, and so eating “healthy” in addition to eating everything-free seemed like a huge pile-on.   In retrospect, I just was trying to do too much with too little support.

I learned a lot more about my health risks.  I was considered pre-diabetic despite being underweight, and it was the huge cosmic kick in the tush I needed.  I realized it didn’t matter what was average, normal, or what the food guide pyramid said.  I needed to be overwhelmingly eating food that would nourish my body, not only avoiding food triggers.  And even healthy foods, like nuts, seeds, good fats and agave needed to be in reasonable amounts…and getting out of bed didn’t actually entitle me to a cookie (bummer).  The solution for me was pretty easy: just real foods.  Fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, quinoa, herbs, spices…you get the program.  That was over 6 years ago.

Much of health (heart health, gut health, skin health, even mental health!) is dependent on inflammation in the body.  At the risk of making this a very long post, Inflammation in a nutshell:

Omega 3s, veggies, fruits, regular moderate exercise = good.

Sugar, refined flours, stress, too little sleep and too much food (even good foods!) = bad.

There are a few videos below giving gobs more info:


Reduce Inflammation: Consume More OMega-3 Fatty Acids


Stress Causes Inflammation: So Find Fun Ways to De-stress

Celiac disease (or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lyme’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, anything else ending in –itis, etc.) is an inflammatory process leading to the destruction of the villus layer of the small intestine.  Gluten intolerance usually involves inflammation as well.  And, of course, a disproportionate number of us have other food intolerances, osteoporosis, and other autoimmune diseases. All of us stand to benefit from a healthier diet.

So of course, those amazing almond flour cakes, and all the yummy recipes on my website, Shirley’s, and others, are much, much healthier than the sugar and refined carb heavy choices at the grocery store.   And yet, I still have the conditioned dietitian cringe when people talk about their “good-for-you” brownies/fudge/cake that are “so healthy we should all eat them for breakfast” (slight exaggeration, but not much).  Why?  Because if we learned anything from the days of Snackwell cookies, when something is “healthy”, most feel free to have larger portions, eat less mindfully, and enjoy them less, too.   And most of these healthier treats still pack a lot of calories.  Most Americans are simply eating too much, and excess calories lead to health risks, play havoc with insulin levels and encourage inflammation.  An ounce (1/4 a cup) of almonds has clear health benefits, but when we end up eating the 3rd or 4th almond flour cookie, it’s easy to go way beyond that.  Nuts are nutrient-dense, and you’re getting more protein, calcium, fiber, etc. then you would from a butter/white flour cookie.   That ALSO means they’re way easier to overeat, especially when they’re warm and luscious from the oven because they’re also so darn tasty.  Let’s put it this way.  If the average woman needs 1600-2000 calories a day, and you eat two of the almond cookies, that’s about a quarter of your daily calories.  It works occasionally; it just doesn’t on a nearly daily basis unless you’re getting a lot of exercise.

Concentrated sweeteners play a big role in inflammation and health, too.  When we look at how we evolved, it gives us a good idea of the healthiest fuels for our bodies.  Way back in the day, most cave people had honey, but only when someone (a brave cave-teen, possibly?) grabbed a hive.   Even 200 years ago, honey, molasses and sugar were reserved for very special occasions.   It’s hard to fit that into most foods on the shelves, where everything from cereal to sausages contain high fructose corn syrup.

At the end of the day, food is meant to nourish and be enjoyed.  So… when you have treats, enjoy and savor them, and space out the more decadent ones with lighter desserts such as ripe fruit, baked apples, poached pears, a grilled mango, a small piece of dark chocolate, a chocolate dipped strawberry, or a kiss from someone you adore.

Cheryl

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Filed Under: Discussion and DiagnosisTagged With: dairy free, discussion, personal story12 Comments

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Comments

  1. Debi says

    September 13, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Cheryl, thank you for sharing this. I just had a friend talking to me about her inflammation issues. I talked her through removing refined and processed foods, but I think hearing it from another source will help her, too.

    Shirley, thank you for having Cheryl share with us!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 14, 2010 at 10:46 pm

      Hi Debi–So glad you found this post from Cheryl helpful! Inflammation plays such a huge role in illness/disease, even ones that are not generally treated with a non-inflammatory approach (e.g., heart disease).

      I agree with Cheryl that there can’t be too many voices. Plus, it helps that Cheryl has those dietitian/nutritionist credentials. And, you know … sometimes it just takes hearing it a few times (or a lot of times!). The fact is that I needed to hear this info again myself and in a slightly different way. 😉

      Hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply
  2. Kim @ Cook It Allergy Free says

    September 13, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Cheryl, this was a wonderful post! I know how easy it is to fall into the “it’s healthy, so I can eat as much as I want” mantra. Occasionally, I find myself eating a few too many muffins or cookies because they are full of fiber or protein and not the white flours and sugars that normal baked goods are.
    I have to remind myself on a regular basis to exercise control! hehe
    Shirley and Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing this post!
    Kim

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 14, 2010 at 10:55 pm

      Hi Kim–Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your experience! Even those “healthy” muffins and cookies are just so darned good, aren’t they? 😉 I don’t know about you, but I often wish I’d been born without the sweet gene. LOL

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply
  3. Celiacs in the House says

    September 13, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Cheryl and Shirley
    Great to see you two teaming up. Thanks Shirley for the compliment and thanks Cheryl for sticking by me when I was hitting the almond flour cookies pretty hard. It’s okay to use my name when you talk about a woman eating two(or more) of those healthy cookies in a day. Of course, there are probably a lot of us out there doing that mindless ‘healthy’ snacking. Sensible and sane recommendations from you Cheryl, as always.
    Wendy

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 14, 2010 at 11:02 pm

      Hi Wendy–You’re very welcome on the compliment! It’s well deserved for sure. I look forward to learning much more from Cheryl as you have already. Oh, and LOL on using your name. 🙂 But, yes, you are off the hook as there are a lot of us who have been right there with you on the mindless eating. And, most of us need Cheryl’s reminder that mindless eating is still mindless eating. (But, can I just utter a rat finks! on that?)

      Shirley

      Reply
  4. Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten Free says

    September 13, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    I love your objective approach, Cheryl. I freaked when I saw the calorie count on almond flour – yes, it’s healthier in some ways but not in excess. I prefer bean flours and grains but do love the luscious quality a little almond flour can add to my baked goods.

    Which brings another thought…I have found that my body is happiest with more natural foods (fruits, veggies, lean meats, veggies again) and while I love to bake I don’t eat a lot of it. For me, it’s moderation and balance that seem to work the best. In fact, most nights I reach for a bowl of yogurt and fruit instead of ice cream.

    Great post! Shirley – thanks for sharing Cheryl with us!!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 14, 2010 at 11:11 pm

      Hi Amy–Thanks so much for sharing what you have learned! I have to confess that I have never looked at the calorie count on almond flour. Hmmm, must check. You know I agree with you on the natural foods approach. It’s just sticking to it most of the time that can be challenging. I had a wonderful zucchini salad topped with some roasted chicken this evening. That totally fits what you described and I felt wonderful after that meal. 🙂

      Hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply
  5. cheryl says

    September 13, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    Shirley,
    Thanks again for the opportunity to share my thoughts with your readers!

    Debi,
    The more voices, the better!

    Kim,
    I think it’s something that we all struggle with in this culture–we’re always taught about extremes (good=all you can eat) and moderation takes practice.

    Wendy,
    Thanks a bunch! And I think you’re totally right, most people tend toward mindless snacking.

    Amy,
    My body agrees with yours…fruit is the best especially this time of year! There’s not a lot that can compare with a ripe peach.

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 14, 2010 at 11:14 pm

      Hi Cheryl–Thank YOU sooo much! I never even knew about the concept of inflammation before going gluten free and learning about celiac/non-celiac gluten issues and all that’s related. I very much appreciate your insight! I will be looking forward to your presentation at our meeting in December. 🙂

      All the best,
      Shirley

      Reply
  6. glutenfreeforgood says

    September 18, 2010 at 7:20 am

    Cheryl and Shirley, I couldn’t agree more. Great post! As I always tell my clients, eating healthy is actually very simple (organic veggies, fruit, etc. as you mention, Cheryl), it’s just not easy until you get the hang of it and really get into the habit. Add in exercise (movement) and an anti-inflammation lifestyle and the body responds with a big hallelujah! More energy, clearer thinking, less joint pain (that was a big one for me with celiac), more strength, clearer skin, brighter eyes, more balanced blood sugar and weight and on and on. Not to mention enhanced cardiac health, stronger bones and all those other good things. Well, you get the idea. I am soooo passionate about this! Wish I could come to your support group meeting Shirley and Cheryl — we could totally bombard your poor group members. =)
    Peace, love and an anti-inflammatory lifestyle!
    Melissa
    xo

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      September 18, 2010 at 9:51 pm

      Hi Melissa–Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and offer your endorsement of all that’s anti-inflammatory! 🙂 I do love the idea of the body responding with a big hallelujah! Every benefit makes the changes worthwhile. I’ve achieved many of these bennies just by being gluten free, but not all. I’m moving towards them for sure and it’s wonderful to have the encouragement of experts like you and Cheryl! Oh, I wish you could be at the meeting, too, dear. One day maybe we’ll work out virtual meetings for off-site attendees. 😉

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

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