Sunday, August 30, 2009

The Cost of Eating Gluten-Free

3 GF Apples, watercolor & ink, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering


I keep reading about the high cost of eating gluten-free. What doesn’t get a mention in any of these articles is the high cost of NOT staying gluten-free.

Does it really cost that much more? All fresh fruit & vegetables, fresh meat & fish are naturally gluten-free. Include in that list milk, eggs, rice, and potatoes - all of these you would or could eat either way.

Where the cost is added is grains, and prepared foods. I agree they do run higher since they are more specialized, as somewhere along the line it was decided wheat should be in everything and be everywhere.

But what about the cost of continuing gluten consumption with celiac disease? Or all the years prior to diagnosis?... The Doctor appointments, the antibiotics, lost time of work, tests, procedures, x-rays, MRIs, prescription meds, co-pays, physical therapy, crutches, acupuncture, pain killers. Painkillers! I can’t even imagine how much I have spent just on Advil in my lifetime.

I have spent a fortune over the years while celiac wreaked it’s havoc, but remained unknown. I shudder to see the actual dollar amount of all that combined.

Treating the problems, related illnesses, chronic pain…. The cost is impossible to calculate. Compared to that the food is a bargain.

6 comments:

chey said...

I agree! Processed foods aren't necessities! And if you're going to eat any, read the ingredient and allergy lists every time you buy them just in case anything has changed.

Roy Pickering said...

Very well said!

a kelly said...

excellent points!

Unknown said...

Great points! You can't put a price on your health.

Natalie said...

SO TRUE! I agree whole heartedly!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you! It's rather interesting that people who should and don't go completely gluten-free do not seem to discover the bounties of fresh foods they would never have thought to eat before. Gluten-free has endless food possibilities that are absolutely delicious.