The WELLalarm Blog

WELLtip: Make Your Gluten-Free Diet Nutritious

I just came across this post in Food and Drink Europe. According to an article from Harvard Medical School, many gluten-free products manufactured to mimic gluten-containing foods are low in essential nutrients! What can you do to make sure your gluten-free diet isn't just safe, but also nutritious?

Natasha Chart of Sustainable Food recommends looking to "celiac-friendly" cuisines, such as Indian, Thai, Mexican, and Ethiopian. She quotes the advice of Melinda Dennis, nutrition coordinator at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Celiac Center, who says to look for the nutrient-packed "super six" grains, including amaranth, buckwheat, teff, millet, quinoa and sorghum.

Vin Miller of Natural Bias recommends avoiding processed foods with added sugars and fillers and focusing instead on whole foods. He goes as far as adding that gluten intolerance can be a blessing in disguise, inducing diet changes that can help "eliminate digestive discomfort, fatigue, mood problems, skin issues" and even fight disease. The latter is a rather optimistic claim, but worth a try, no?

For delicious, quick, whole-food, gluten-free recipes see 101 Cookbooks.

Image via Bollywood Food Club.

WELLtip: Making an Informed Choice About Medication

Having a chronic illness means making some very serious decisions about what medication I take. I have had awful side effects from numerous medications, including one I still take out of necessity, and I have had to learn to deal with the side effects. This is why I think it is so important for people to make an informed decision before taking a medication. Do not simply take a medication just it is offered!

That said, another person's experience (especially with side effects) may not be reflective of what yours will be. There are a myriad of things that influence side effects, including your genetic make-up. I have a list factors I consider when I evaluate a medication. I urge anyone who has to choose a medication to think about the following:

1. Doctor’s advice--I always have an honest conversion with my doctor.
2. Potential side effects and warnings--you should always research these, but keep in mind that they reflect all possible outcomes and often are only seen in a very small portion of the population.
3. Cost/benefit analysis based on your individual condition.

There are no guarantees when taking medications--we all know this! But it is essential to make as well-informed a choice as possible. You have that power in your hands.

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WELLtip: How To Tell a Cold From The Flu

Just as the H1N1 was sweeping the headlines, a particularly nasty cold virus swept through a friend's son's school. Parents reported flu-like symptoms, but what made it just a cold? How can you tell? Here are a few tips to help you tell the difference.

1. Fever
The flu usually comes with a high fever. Some people occasionally experience a fever with a cold, but this is uncommon.

2. Speed of onset
Flu symptoms will come on suddenly within three to six hours. You will feel terrible quickly. Cold symptoms tend to emerge more gradually.

3. Nasal congestion
A cold almost always involves nasal congestion. This is less common with the flu.

4. Aches and pains
You may experience aches and pains with a cold, but they are usually mild and manageable with acetaminophen. Aches are much more severe with a flu. People suffering from the flu will also experience more severe fatigue.

5. Coughing
Coughing in a cold is usually productive. With the flu, it is usually dry and unproductive.

A cold usually dissipates after about a week, but if not treated, the flu can lead to more serious conditions like bacterial infections or pneumonia. If you are in doubt, see your doctor!

To read more about the differences between colds and the flu, see the following links:
FluFacts.com
WebMD
FamilyDoctor.org

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