[Chito]

Hi - I wanted to start a thread for people who are going gluten free/reducing gluten from their diets, or thinking about it.

As some of you know, I've developed a few food related issues over the past several years, most notably my utter intolerance for processed soy protein (especially soy protein isolate). I started having some other troubling symptoms, not least of which was a persistent dull ache in my right side after eating a big meal. I thought maybe it was gall bladder, but when I started looking at my other symptoms (total inability to lose weight, bloating and fatigue, concentration issues, weird dry patches of skin, acid reflux), I pulled up articles about gluten sensitivity. Sensitivity is different than allergy; I'm decidedly not celiac. I decided to give it an elimination diet a go. If anything, I'd eat less carbs, and when I had a beer or two last weekend and I bloated up like a balloon and felt really lousy.

I haven't had anything with gluten in it since last Saturday, and while I didn't think I'd feel much different, holy shit. I've already lost 2 pounds, which is my biggest single weight loss in one week in a damn long time. I feel great, am sleeping sound, and am not experiencing bloating or fatigue. My dry patches and itchy skin? Healed.

Now...I'm not an idiot. I'm well aware that this could all be completely psychosomatic and could more be a result of less calorie intake because I'm not eating refined flour. I don't think I was 100% gluten free this week (I'm still learning about what I can and can't eat), but close.

Would love to know of any resources/personal anecdotes! And celiacs/gluten sensitive folk should have a thread.

[ebonytipchik]

I'm doing gluten free as an experiment, after putting my son on the diet.

Trader Joes has a whole list theyve put together of their gluten free foods. Whole Foods everywhere seems to have a whole couple aisles dedicated to gluten free and labeling everything is starting to become a major trend.

I know Ive said it elsewhere, but I'll say it again here: It takes 6 weeks for gluten to get entirely out of your system, so if you think youre feeling good now, wait til its all "out".

Watch out though, certain rice gets sprayed with starch and there's gluten in the weirdest places, like even yogurt or some shredded cheese.

[Chito]

Yeah, I am being really diligent about reading labels. Right now, I am less concerned with eating trace amounts and more concerned with the big ones: bread, pasta, bagels, etc. I feel like I'll make myself insane trying to be perfect. It's already been tough! But so far, so good...

[crestorinfo]

I've been trying a completely gluten-free diet for a few weeks now and I'm also staying away from starchy foods, so my diet is low-carb as well. I avoid all bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, couscous and other things like that. The biggest differences are that my blood sugar has stabilised very quickly, I'm not hungry every two hours like I used to be and I no longer have problems with things like bloating which is great. I've tried to stick to this kind of diet before, but kept falling back into bad habits again after a while as it's difficult to keep going especially when you're doing it on your own and have a lot of stress happening in your life. This time around I'm doing pretty well so far and I'm hoping to keep it up even though I've got some more busy and stressful times coming up with my Masters dissertation due to be handed in 6 weeks from now.

[soprofaxelbis]

Hi - I wanted to start a thread for people who are going gluten free/reducing gluten from their diets, or thinking about it.

As some of you know, I've developed a few food related issues over the past several years, most notably my utter intolerance for processed soy protein (especially soy protein isolate). I started having some other troubling symptoms, not least of which was a persistent dull ache in my right side after eating a big meal. I thought maybe it was gall bladder, but when I started looking at my other symptoms (total inability to lose weight, bloating and fatigue, concentration issues, weird dry patches of skin, acid reflux), I pulled up articles about gluten sensitivity. Sensitivity is different than allergy; I'm decidedly not celiac. I decided to give it an elimination diet a go. If anything, I'd eat less carbs, and when I had a beer or two last weekend and I bloated up like a balloon and felt really lousy.

I haven't had anything with gluten in it since last Saturday, and while I didn't think I'd feel much different, holy shit. I've already lost 2 pounds, which is my biggest single weight loss in one week in a damn long time. I feel great, am sleeping sound, and am not experiencing bloating or fatigue. My dry patches and itchy skin? Healed.

Now...I'm not an idiot. I'm well aware that this could all be completely psychosomatic and could more be a result of less calorie intake because I'm not eating refined flour. I don't think I was 100% gluten free this week (I'm still learning about what I can and can't eat), but close.

Would love to know of any resources/personal anecdotes! And celiacs/gluten sensitive folk should have a thread.

I don't think it's psychosomatic at all. My roommate have had the suspicion that she reacts badly on gluten, so she cut it out from her diet completely and she says there's a remarkable difference.

[Fekliopas]

Eating gluten free and low carb makes a world of difference in how I feel on a day to day basis. It's very true that many people have a sensitivity to gluten which they don't even realize they have until it is cut out of their diet. I am about 85% paleo/gluten free/low carb. I'm relatively strict during the week with what I eat and I usually have a free day on the weekends. This free day includes carbs, beer, etc. However, more and more these free days are becoming much less worth it because I end up feeling like such garbage the following day. During the week when I stick to consuming lots of vegetables (especially leafy greens), protein (as much fish as possible), and some healthy fats - I feel amazing. I feel strong and energized. I have no fatigue, no bloating, no GERD symptoms. People often forget that the most powerful medicine for us is in the foods we choose to eat. Everything you put in your mouth makes a difference in your body. Honestly, I think carbohydrates, wheat, gluten, etc...are just not good for us. Especially in the amount that Americans consume on a daily basis. Sure, in moderation, carbs/gluten can very much so be a part of a healthy diet, but moderation is obviously key and I think that if someone chooses to cut out carbs/gluten completely from their diet, it does absolutely no harm.

ETA: Also, I'm a huge fan of Dr. Mark Hyman and I highly recommend checking out his website:

http://drhyman.com/

[ebonytipchik]

People often forget that the most powerful medicine for us is in the foods we choose to eat.

Reminds me of this quote "food can be the most powerful medicine or slowest poison"

[Chito]

I'm not really interested in doing low/no carb. I've done that before and it results in me binging on food. I think giving up wheat is going to be hard enough.

[Appeselve]

I don't think it's psychosomatic at all. My roommate have had the suspicion that she reacts badly on gluten, so she cut it out from her diet completely and she says there's a remarkable difference.

It may not be psychosomatic but anytime you make a dietary change that could actually be viewed as several dietary changes: say for example, reduction of calories, reduction of sodium, reduction/elimination of gluten, all at once... you can't really be sure which change made the most difference.

[Chito]

It may not be psychosomatic but anytime you make a dietary change that could actually be viewed as several dietary changes: say for example, reduction of calories, reduction of sodium, reduction/elimination of gluten, all at once... you can't really be sure which change made the most difference.

True. I've been tracking on sparkpeople and I'm eating between 1250-1500 cals a day except Saturday, which is my "free day". We will see what the lack of gluten does to affect that.

[Fekliopas]

I'm not really interested in doing low/no carb. I've done that before and it results in me binging on food. I think giving up wheat is going to be hard enough.

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.

[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!