Wheat Love Hate

I’m in Paris and surrounded at every turn by baguettes, brioche, quiche, and croissants; basically every kind of food that contains wheat.  Along with possibly the rest of the world, my relationship with wheat falls into the love-hate category.  I love how it tastes - I hate the way it makes me feel.  But in a two week Parisian eat-a-thon with wheat in almost every meal, I'm sure my hair has started falling more than normal.  And I don’t like it one little bit.


Kouignette from Maison Larnicol
What I do like is bread.  I like that one slice of raisin toast with my morning soy cap (oh Melbourne coffee, how I miss you) will fill me up for at least 4-5 hours.  I like that lunch then only needs to be smaller and later.  Not bad for the ole calorie intake or a busy day at work - but at what expense?  Seeing my hair throughout my apartment in Paris and suspecting wheat as the perpetrator I hit the ‘net for some qualifiedly unqualifiable information on the topic.

It took some wading through the repetitive sea of dietary complaints and blogs but it appears as though there is a connection (although there are a number of other factors to consider, too) – I’ve listed below some of the pieces I found helpful on this topic.  If you’re also scratching your head around unexplained hair fall and have a suspected sensitivity to wheat and/or gluten you may find them insightful too (please note these links are not sponsored and just what I found helpful).

Wheat and hair loss (HairgrowthUK)
Wheat Intolerance: the facts (Dailymail.co.uk)
Food intolerance (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy)

If you don’t have a problem with wheat or gluten, I am highly envious and ask that you enjoy every morsel without the fear of bodily protest. For me, I am going to try turning over a new wheat-free lettuce leaf (again) – right after I fly out of Paris.

Au revoir!
LMM xoxo

Please feel free to share any insights, comments or information you feel others might appreciate on this topic.

LMM is not a medically trained professional and these are her personal observations and insights.  As always, check with your doc or your naturopath for advice or before making any radical diet or lifestyle changes. Merci!