Trigger/Content Warnings: Food mentions, allergy and intolerance mentions, brief description of Pain.

Around about April 2017, I decided to stop eating anything containing dairy or gluten. That means no bread, no cheese, no chocolate and no cake. That is, unless I get my hands on a gluten or dairy free alternative. However, it isn't often that I find gluten free or dairy free alternatives for a low price. Why did I stop eating gluten and dairy? Because they were causing me pain and in April I couldn't stand it any longer. I decided that I would stop eating anything containing gluten or dairy from that moment onwards, and I'm very glad I did.

Since going dairy and gluten free, I've noticed some positive changes! My skin cleared up a lot! Before, it was quite oily and quite dry. Now it's less oily and dry, and much clearer, too. Now I barely ever have sore spots on my face where dry/oily skin has cracked, which is great!

My digestion has improved. I no longer find myself to be in pain most times I eat. Looking back now, it's weird that I accepted the pain as just part of everyday life. That pain was caused by any damage the gluten and dairy were creating in my digestive system, so it was definitely an important decision to stop eating them!

Now that I have less pain, I feel more energetic. I often have the energy to go on bike rides, which in turn also makes me feel more energetic! It's also meant an improvement with my joint issues, which were especially bad in my legs. I can now sit on the floor and get up after without needing a friend to help me up!

Have I stuck to my gluten- and dairy-free lifestyle completely since I started? Not exactly...I can easily resist most gluten-containing foods but there have been a few times when someone has left some really nice biscuits out and I've been unable to stop myself from eating them. I just love biscuits so much! Especially chocolate ones and ones dipped in a nice, hot cup of tea. These times always give me a little reminder to stick to it as I often get a bit of a stomach ache later on. A little stomach ache every once in a while is worth it for biscuits but there's no way I'd want that regularly again. Recently I noticed that a Tesco Express near where I live sell several varieties of their gluten-free, dairy-free biscuits for a price which isn't too extortionate, which has helped me stay more strictly to my gluten- and dairy-free diet. Maybe I will do a review of some products in their Free From range!

The negative side, however, is that I've missed out on so much free food! On fridays at the end of the day in my chemistry class, we usually have 'cake friday'. People bring in some food to share around, usually cake or cookies. Someone brought sushi in one time though, so I didn't miss out that time! I also made lavender meringues once so I could have one of those!

If you have any questions relating to me being gluten- and dairy-free, comment below or feel free to contact me through any option on my 'Contact Me' page