She Strengthens

The High Cost of a Gluten-Free Lifestyle

A Personal Experience

When I first decided to go gluten-free, I was convinced it would be a game-changer. My mom had seen incredible results, losing 20 pounds after just three months on a meal plan. I assumed that by cutting out gluten, I too would shed the pounds and lead a healthier lifestyle. So, in the summer of 2015, I took the plunge.

The Hidden Expenses

As I navigated my new gluten-free diet, I quickly realized that it came with a hefty price tag. I was shelling out big bucks for three main expenses: gluten-free food, specialty makeup and hair products, and supplements.

Gluten-Free Food: A Costly Affair

I soon discovered that gluten-free alternatives were not only pricey but also often tasted subpar. I would buy boxes of gluten-free pasta, only to find it went bad within days of cooking. Bread products were equally expensive, with a single pack of five frozen bagels costing a whopping $7.99! Even desserts were a rip-off, with gluten-free brownies tasting bitter and costing double the price of their gluten-containing counterparts.

The Beauty of Gluten-Free Products

Finding quality makeup products that fit my combination skin was already a challenge, but going gluten-free limited my options even further. I often ended up going without makeup altogether or settling for expensive, subpar products. And to make matters worse, I had to switch to gluten-free shampoo and conditioner, adding to my growing list of expenses.

Supplements: Filling the Nutritional Gap

Cutting out gluten meant I was receiving even less Vitamin B and Iron in my diet. With a naturally low iron count, I had to turn to supplements to fill the gap in my nutrition. This added yet another monthly expense to my already-strained budget.

The Few Benefits

While going gluten-free did bring some improvements, such as weight loss and clearer skin, these benefits eventually plateaued. I realized that my weight loss was largely due to cutting out high-calorie foods, not specifically because I went gluten-free.

A Change of Heart

In the end, the extra expenses for groceries, products, and supplements just weren’t worth it. I decided to shift my focus to eating a balanced diet, cutting out sweets, and enjoying the occasional dessert. My year-long experiment with a gluten-free lifestyle taught me a valuable lesson: sympathy for those who must remove gluten from their diets out of necessity, but also a deeper understanding of the importance of a well-rounded diet that doesn’t break the bank.