[Chito]

Sorry, Kari. I didn't intend to focus so much on carbohydrates in my original post. Here is an excellent website all about living a gluten-free life:

http://aglutenfreeguide.com/


Salt and Pepper Cheese Puffs with Bacon? Ummm...yum.

No need to be sorry! I think low carb is great, its just not realistic for me. The only saving grace in this no gluten thing so far has been that I can eat rice noodles.

I am definitely feeling more focused and able to concentrate, and I am less hungry...except at night I am having INTENSE sugar cravings.

[avavavava]

I've been gluten-free since my last birthday in January when I had my "Last Meal" (clam chowder in a bread bowl). I have always had issues with food as I was constantly sick after almost every meal. It wasn't until when my mother was told by the doctor that she had a severe intolerance to gluten that I started to think that that must be the reason I had been having stomach cramps, extreme bloating (where I looked nearly 5-months pregnant), fatigue, and other issues. Giving up all of my favorite beer was difficult, and there was nothing I loved more than pigging out on Japanese and Italian food. Before my last gluten-y meal, I hadn't had anything with gluten for a good month. I was extremely sick for about two weeks where I couldn't eat anything, I had trouble getting out of bed, and spent a lot of time in the bathroom. It was so painful, I had lost all desire to eat anything with gluten ever again.

Unfortunately, I can't really go out to eat. The last time I did I ordered a gluten-free pizza from BJ's and I had told them just how sensitive I am to gluten, but sure enough--the pizza, although it was "gluten-free" made me so fucking sick. Yay for cross-contamination. Assholes. However, I have learned how to cook and have a really healthy diet now. Trader Joe's is just an 8-minute walk from my apartment and I order gluten-free products (pancake mix, pizza crust, pasta) online from a store somewhere in Canada.

Redbridge is ok, but man.. do I miss drinking beer. It's the only thing I really crave now. ; '(

[SigNeewfoew]

Redbridge is ok, but man.. do I miss drinking beer. It's the only thing I really crave now. ; '(

I found this blog list of the 14 worst and best gluten free beers. I haven't tried any of them and perhaps you've already seen it, but here it is for anyone interested. Also, some of the commenters mention a few more gluten free beers.

[Chito]

Kala - thanks for the list!!

Beth - my symptoms aren't that severe (thank god!), but after almost 2 weeks gluten free I accidentally ate something with gluten in it and bloated like a balloon. I have gone out to eat and been fine, but today I just didn't ask the right questions.

[avavavava]

Kala, I should really order some beer from that list! Thanks for the link. I read somewhere that Asahi Super Dry contained no gluten, and it was my favorite beer when I lived in Japan. Going to do a bit more research on it, but I think I'm just setting myself up for disappointment. Anyhow, thanks again! : )

Kari, good luck keeping up being gluten-free! The change in my diet has really helped with my overall health. If you find any good products, make sure to make mention of them in this thread because I'll keep checking it regularly!

[Chito]

Thanks! I definitely feel pretty great, no question about it.

[Chito]

Update: two weeks no gluten and I am down five pounds. I fit into jeans that didn't fit a week ago. My focus is good, my anxiety levels are generally down, and I'm way less bloated than usual.

downsides: Going out to eat is now a giant pain in the ass. We go out a lot and its something that I really enjoy, so I am trying to make it work. I don't think I am allergic, I think I am just sensitive, so I don't have to be militant. After 6 weeks of abstinence I am going to try and see if I get a "cheat" meal every so often (bi weekly, maybe?). If it makes me sick then I'll know for sure.

ETA: OMG THERE IS A PLACE RIGHT NEAR MY HOUSE THAT MAKES GLUTEN FREE PIZZA CRUST. Oh happy day! I love living in NYC sometimes.

[Thigmaswams]

So what are the major things you cut out...I don't eat much wheat products at all anymore, so I guess my diet is basically gluten free? I also have a gluten free pizza crust mix in my pantry, but I'm too lazy to actually make a pizza from scratch. I WISH I HAD A GLUTEN FREE PIZZA PLACE NEXT TO MEEEEE.

[Chito]

Major things: bread, pasta and baked goods like cookies and pretzels. All things I shouldn't have been eating much of anyway!

[RgtrsKfR]

I've been having yeast issues in bread so I've really cut bread and other things containing yeast out of my diet, but I'm thinking the GF route might be one I seek out as well to see if it has any effect on me losing weight and generally feeling better.

I shared this on FB earlier

[Chito]

I watched that but forgot to comment on it.

[nemoforone]

Oh Kari, one thing I wanted to share is that most Whiskey is GF because of the distilling process it goes through, SO YAY for us!

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/gl...luten-Free.htm

[Chito]

OH HOLLER! I've had whiskey and it hasn't bothered me any.

[Fekliopas]

I'm not trying to promote frozen dinners here, BUT, have you tried any of Amy's GF products? I mean, as far as processed frozen meals go, Amy's is the most nutritious option and they offer quite a few GF products that are delicious!

So, if you ever find yourself crunched for time, Amy's makes some great stuff.

[Chito]

There is nothing wrong with promoting frozen dinners if they are made with good ingredients! Amy's is great, and Trader Joe's also does a nice line of frozen stuff as well.

I almost slipped up today...someone brought in warm blueberry muffins. I WANTS.

[Chito]

Update: I gained a pound back this week, but that's because I ate total crap during my web series shoot last weekend and I know better (note to self: just because mini Heath bars and cheetos are gluten free does not mean they are acceptable food).

Other than that, I feel pretty good. Maybe a little less good than I did last week, but good. My anxiety levels are very low. My sleep wasn't the greatest, but then again, I haven't had a day off in over two weeks. A little R&R might do wonders.

ETA: Gluten free pasta is fucking bullshit.

[Thigmaswams]

^ Gluten free pasta is only bullshit if you buy the wrong one! The first gluten free pasta I bought had a terrible consistency, but try brown rice pasta. It cooks great and you can't tell any difference from regular pasta.

[Chito]

I will give that a try. So far I've tried quinoa noodles and plain rice noodles (macaronis). Not super impressed with either...

[Sleflanna]

I'm glad this thread exists! I've been wondering about going low-gluten since late last year, when a co-worker was making steps toward cutting some of the gluten out of her diet. She was doing it in response to some health concerns and I didn't really ask much about it since I didn't want to be a nosybody about her symptoms. It's been about two weeks since I've started actively looking to steer away from gluten-packed foods (breads, cereals, pasta, baked goods, etc.) and so far, I think it's making a difference for me. The biggest difference is in my skin. Random flaky patches are clearing up and I'm on my way to no longer being a zitty city. I've also lost a little weight even though I've been lax about exercising lately and have not been as hungry in between meals. When I used to have cereal for breakfast, I'd be a ravenous foodbeast two hours later. Now that I have some yogurt and fruit, I stay fuller longer. It's also possible that cutting out some of the gluten and eating better in general is having a positive impact on my moods. I'm moving in nine (!!!) days and even though it's been stressful to pack, do tedious errands, and say goodbye to friends, I haven't had a major meltdown yet. I don't know if all of that can be contributed to the fact that I haven't been cramming my face with gluten, but it's enough to make me want to keep it up for now and see what happens.

[Fekliopas]

Besides whiskey, the best thing about eating gluten free is hummus! Think about it, you can just sit around drinking whiskey and eating hummus. What could be better than that?