Wheat Belly: Is It Just Atkins?

Dauntlessness

I wrote this a while back. I hate posting things like this on the forums because of trolls. I truly believe we have a gluten epidemic, not a carb one. There are a ton of wonderful recipes out there. I found a bunch on pinterest. That website has been a life saver. I dont think carbs in general are bad but its the ones you choose to eat. I pretty much only eat rice and corn these days.

This is what I posted.

Gluten Sensitivity - Do you have it?
Recent studies have shown that it is estimated around 30%- 50% of the population could have some form or a gluten sensitivity. It is way too early to tell at this point as their are not many tests to find out. The best way to find out are with a AGA-IgA and the AGG-IgG blood test. I have it and didn't know for the last 33 years! Here are the symptoms which I have 90% of them.

Diarrhea and/or constipation
Abdominal pain and/or heartburn
Bloating
Fatigue
Brain fog
Anemia
Joint pain
Rashes
Depression and/or anxiety
Weight gain weight loss and
Inability to lose weight
Inability to gain weight
Teeth problems (yellow and frequent cavities even when you brush and floss all the time)
Psoriasis, eczema, hives or skin rashes
Missed periods (seems to be more prevalent in pcos women too)
Being super itchy

Elevated AGA-IgG levels are found in about 10% of the overall population, and frequently are seen in other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. This study is only estimates 10% of the population simply because the rest of the 20-40% are unaware they have the sensitivity and have not been tested for it.

Some people think its because of how processed wheat is these days and the types of strains we have verses the types that were unadulterated we ate 100 years ago. Every single time I eat gluten I gain 3-4 pound overnight. I still eat it as I am a baker but limiting it has helped me dramatically with weight loss and my energy levels. At this point if I do eat a large amount of gluten I feel so bad and have such an energy dip I can barely keep my eyes open for a few hours, I get a flare up with my psoriasis, constipation, I get SUPER itchy and my stomach hurts.

I guess a lot of people think "carbs are bad" and the only diet that works for them is Adkins. People, its NOT the carbs, its the gluten!!!! Carbs are actually good for you! You can still have rice, potatoes and even gluten free baked goods! Trust me on this. Try it for a week. I have psoriasis and within a week of cutting out the gluten it got like 70% better. It almost disappeared! What can it hurt?

So yes, gluten free or low gluten diets can help with weight loss if you have the sensitivity.


Sources:
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenintolerance/a/How-Many-People-Have-Gluten-Sensitivity.htm
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/symptomsofceliacdisease/a/Gluten-Allergy-Symptoms.htm
http://gluten.lovetoknow.com/Gluten_Intolerance_and_Losing_Weight
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenintolerance/a/Gluten-Sensitivity-Testing.htm

prattiger65

Human nature says " because I have lost 40 lbs. What I am doing is superior to what you are doing". I don't necessarily buy into the idea that " everyone is different " but, I do think our personalities and environments make us different. In the end, what works for me may not work for you, not because we are physically or biologically different, but because we are psychologically and environmentally different. I also think we have to take a really honest look at sustainability in our diet. I am sure I could work any method for a period of time, but if I am honest with myself, a restrictive diet isn't sustainable for me. So even though I may believe another method " could " be superior, I'm not going to do it because I can't do it forever. Are there things that are not as healthy for me? I am sure there are, but I refuse to make any food the boogie man. For me, there is a line that I am unwilling to cross. Even the healthiest on here, there are others who do more, eat better, work harder etc. We will never be perfect. I am just gonna do the best I can.
"

SnicciFit

I guess a lot of people think "carbs are bad" and the only diet that works for them is Adkins. People, its NOT the carbs, its the gluten!!!! Carbs are actually good for you! You can still have rice, potatoes and even gluten free baked goods! Trust me on this. Try it for a week. I have psoriasis and within a week of cutting out the gluten it got like 70% better. It almost disappeared! What can it hurt?

YES! People think carbs are only in bread & pasta. I get that all the time: "so you don't eat ANY carbs??!!!". Um... I eat fruits & veggies...

_Zardoz_

Human nature says " because I have lost 40 lbs. What I am doing is superior to what you are doing". I don't necessarily buy into the idea that " everyone is different " but, I do think our personalities and environments make us different. In the end, what works for me may not work for you, not because we are physically or biologically different, but because we are psychologically and environmentally different. I also think we have to take a really honest look at sustainability in our diet. I am sure I could work any method for a period of time, but if I am honest with myself, a restrictive diet isn't sustainable for me. So even though I may believe another method " could " be superior, I'm not going to do it because I can't do it forever. Are there things that are not as healthy for me? I am sure there are, but I refuse to make any food the boogie man. For me, there is a line that I am unwilling to cross. Even the healthiest on here, there are others who do more, eat better, work harder etc. We will never be perfect. I am just gonna do the best I can.
"

Fantastic Post I totally agree

charleyreedto175

I have read the Wheat belly book cover to cover over the past year. I took the cook book from the library and selected 10 breakfast menu's 10 lunch and 10 dinner meals. They are foods that I like and follow the Wheat belly plan to the letter. I use whole and natural foods. Real veggies, real meat 3 days chicken, 2 days fish, one day no meat and one day eat what I want. At three weeks into this diet I am now at 37 pounds down and 5 inches off my waist. Yes the food is good, the exercise is harder and I am working my butt off. The result is the diet works