Could I possibly be allergic to gluten?...

wisdomfromyou

I went on a relatively low calorie diet for about three months (1200-1400 or so) and lost about 30 lbs - until I recently decided to give it a break since many people were telling me I eat too little and that this is why my weight loss had stalled. I also read weight loss stalling can be "fixed" by going on a "break" period where you just eat whatever you want, as much as you want (of course, common sense dictates you would not drown yourself in disgusting fast foods, etc).
.
Granted, my weight loss had stall so I said "hey, why not?". After all eating more is more fun.

My so called "diet" during those 3 months consisted of not just reducing calories, but also eating "clean" without any refined sugars and white flower. So basically I had eliminated sugar and white flower/bread but I would still have a very tiny amount of whole wheat bread here and there - but very little.

During the past ten days or so I slowly started to eat...hmmm...let's say "liberally", including bread and hard cheeses - and not little.

I should mention that my whole life I have been a major carb addict and that the smell of Heaven for me is the smell of bread fresh out of the oven.

In the past 10 days I have still been eating good foods, in general, but as soon as I let the rein "loose" there's this one thing I start to abuse: BREAD - often accompanied by all sorts of cheeses.

Well...I noticed I started feeling a bit worse overall - despite obviously eating more calories now, including my "fun foods" (bread and cheese).
Before that I was always a bit on the hungry side because I was eating little overall;
but now, my hunger, or rather cravings for more and more of the attractive thing (bread with cheese) is 3 times worse.

In addition, now I tend to be a little bloated, with a very slight sensation of burning/indigestion and an overall sluggish feeling.
I apologize for the hardly graceful TMI, but I have also noticed some flatulence over the past few days of "bread and cheese" partying, which I NEVER had during those 3months of "orthodox" eating.

For the first time in 3-4 months, I failed to stay through my yoga class and just left half-way through it.
I couldn't do it, I wasn't in the mood for it and my body was sluggish with an extremely slight sensation of burning in my stomach/esophagus.

Given that this was the first time in my life when I had almost eliminated bread for a significant amount of time (3 months) and I WAS feeling better (though always slightly hungry because of the low calorie thing), and given that as soon as I introduced bread back in a relatively large amount (4-5 slices a day+ cheese), I started feeling a little on the "not good" side...could this mean I am allergic to gluten?

Can something that I crave so badly be also something that I am allergic to?

Is it possible to clearly test for allergies to gluten?

How do I know if this slight sensation of "not well" is due to the bread or to the hard cheeses?

Thank you for any input you might have,

estellenagel106

I've always struggled with bloating, constipation, gassiness after eating any kind of gluten - but apparently that's not necessarily an allergy. You may have a spastic colon or you may simply have become intolerant after not eating it for a whilst. Here is what helps me - and it actually helps you lose weight too: psyllium husks at least once a day and charcoal tablets. I'm not going to lie: the psyllium is awful. You have to pinch your nose shut and swallow it. But it takes away all the unpleasant symptoms.

jmarron56

Don't forget that with "careless" eating you are probably also getting more salt and sugar which play havoc with your metabolism and can leave you with that tired, bloated, yucky feeling (a technical term).

During your break times continue to eat good food just don't stress so much about calories, i.e. just stop counting. But maintain the other good habits. I recommend replacing meat with veggies in several meals each week. See http://www.meatlessmonday.com/ for some great ideas (I recommend the butternut squash and black bean chili).

That said, there is a scientific basis for the seaming increase in numbers of people with gluten intolerance. Our obsession with antibiotics and hand sanitizer may be having a negative impact on the good bacteria that makes our digestive system work. (ref Johns Hopkins studies somewhere).

As my grandmother used to say, "You have to eat a peck of dirt before your die.". My wife suggests licking more door knobs (disgusting!)

Carol_L

Why is Gluten the latest whipping boy in nutrition?

Unless you have Celieac's or IBS, or have a family history of same, statistically speaking, the odds of it being a gluten intolerance are low but it is still possible. You may want to consider getting checked for these conditions. Allergy testing should be done by a reliable medical specialist, should you decided to go that way. It can be inconclusive, though, unless you start breaking out in hives or undergoing anaphylaxis.

If you don't otherwise have a known lactose intolerance, I wouldn't start blaming the cheese.

wisdomfromyou

I don't have anything blatantly allergic neither to gluten nor to lactose - definitely not that I know of.

After all, my whole life I have been stuffing myself with bread - hence the weight issues I have always had.
This is my comfort food and I can eat it in scary amounts, especially when fresh. (Lord, help me).


Over the past 3 months though I had reduced bread to almost none - and sure enough, I lost weight.
I was always feeling light and with no trace burning or indigestion in my stomach - but at the same time, I always had a slight sensation of hunger and was always more than ready to eat before meal time arrived.

Perhaps I have just been eating too much of these substantial foods since my "break" started - sometimes I would have 4-5 large slices of bread (throughout the day),topped with a substantial slice of blue cheese/Irish cheddar cheese (cheeses with VERY strong tastes) - this in addition to other regular foods. Who knows?

I think I will just have to go back to the more controlled, short-leash type of eating.
From the moment I had started this, I knew this was going to have to be for life (change in lifestyle), so I am ready to go back in the leash. :-))

whierd

No, it does not sound like you have a gluten allergy. It sounds like you were overeating.

thektturner

If you've been eating whole wheat carbs during the clean eating without a problem, then it is most likely NOT a gluten allergy. Gluten is wheat. Therefore whole wheat breads still have gluten. I would think the cheese would be more to blame than the bread if you are eating excessive quantities. That does bad things to stomachs...
Sluggish could just be a result of changing macros so much or not getting enough protein / water. Could be a lot of reasons.

rml_16

If you were allergic to gluten, even that little bit of whole wheat bread would have had you keeling over.

odusgolp

No, it does not sound like you have a gluten allergy. It sounds like you were overeating.

^^this. It's amazing how overeating can cause.. issues.

SoDamnHungry

You're probably just eating too much. That's how I feel when I overeat.

ethompso0105

It sounds more like you're overindulging right now--been there...done that!

If it *is* something about the gluten, it's likely not an allergy, but you may have a slight sensitivity. This can result in some of the symptoms you mentioned--not everyone has violent reactions to it.

I'm gluten sensitive. And yes, when I eat gluten, I crave gluten. When I cut it out, I'm better. I'm not allergic, I don't have Celiacs, I just have a sensitivity. Yes, sensitivities like this exist!

Try cutting it out, if it helps, great. If not, it may just be overindulging.

heidicalif

One of my children has a gluten sensitivity. Have you experimented with oats or other gluten free grains? That's where I'd start.

While you can be allergic to wheat, an allergy to gluten does not actually exist. If you ask an allergy doc for an gluten allergy test they may not take your problem seriously -- it seems to be a pet peeve among docs we've seen. Both reactions involve the immune system, but are very different medically. There are Celiac tests, but if I remember correctly the only way to confirm Celiac and know for sure is a biospy of the small intestine. There are blood tests you can do first to see if ou may fit the profile with antibodies, etc, but at least those for infants (no idea about adults) had high false results. You definitely want to study up on your options before going in.

Gluten is hidden in so many places, so check your labels. Some things I didn't think about until I started paying attention: tomato paste can contain wheat filler, extracts like vanilla that aren't pure contain grain alcohol, many soy sauces, fancy rice mixes with barley, smoothies/juices...

Good luck to you!

ostrichagain

If you were allergic to gluten, even that little bit of whole wheat bread would have had you keeling over.

I know two people who have Celiac disease and they describe the pain as razors blades or glass in their belly. Before they were diagnosed, they weren't just uncomfortably or bloated, they were hospitalized.

FlaxMilk

You can speak to your doctor about getting the Celiacs testing. Just don't stop eating gluten until you've had the testing, because you won't have accurate results then. Not everyone with Celiacs has the same intensity of symptoms.

snazzyjazzy21

If you were allergic to gluten, even that little bit of whole wheat bread would have had you keeling over.

I know two people who have Celiac disease and they describe the pain as razors blades or glass in their belly. Before they were diagnosed, they weren't just uncomfortably or bloated, they were hospitalized.

Yep. Trust me, if it's gluten, you'll know. I've never spoken to anyone with gluten allergy/celiac who's reaction was simply bloating.

LaurieElla

I have not read the other comments, so excuse me if this is a repeat!

From all the reading/research I have done regarding gluten and other grains ... Yes, you could be "allergic" to gluten. gluten does not digest well in the body and makes you feel that sluggish/bloating feeling. When you are constantly eating those things you dont know anything is wrong because you dont know better. But when you come off of those foods that are not good for your body, your body gets a chance to reset, to be clean and work the way it was meant to work. Then when you add those foods back in .. your body rejects them, they dont want them because they arent good for you. but you shovel them in anyways and your body has to get rid of it somehow. It will make you sick so you dont eat the "poison" again. Its not just gluten that could do it to you either. Its any grains. If you want t know more about it all ... and the science behind it, read the paleo solution by robb wolfe

SarahWrittenThin

I'm going to bet it's from the change in diet and the quantity most likely. I have been diagnosed with celiac and let me tell you...you would likely be reacting to even small amounts of gluten. Though all people are different. I've discovered I can have 2 servings of wheat before I get intensely ill.. Now should I ? no. But can I? sure now and then.

Try laying off all the bread and cheese and see what happens. Do you eat other gluten items? Pasta, cereal, bread, crackers, soup. Etc? Do you feel like that after eating any of those? If no then I'd blame that diet change. If yes... maybe see your dr about it. I hope its not as its frankly been a miserable few months before my diagnosis and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. Good luck!!

donthesitate

I had that same bloated feeling, integestion and such and I got tested and found out I have a gluten intolerance. I wasnt diagnosed until I got older because no one in my family has a problem with gluten, go figure. Talk to your doctor, couldnt hurt. Also I have found that I have to limit my dairy intake, but that runs in my family.

jenn26point2

I went on a relatively low calorie diet for about three months (1200-1400 or so) and lost about 30 lbs - until I recently decided to give it a break since many people were telling me I eat too little and that this is why my weight loss had stalled. I also read weight loss stalling can be "fixed" by going on a "break" period where you just eat whatever you want, as much as you want (of course, common sense dictates you would not drown yourself in disgusting fast foods, etc).
.
Granted, my weight loss had stall so I said "hey, why not?". After all eating more is more fun.

My so called "diet" during those 3 months consisted of not just reducing calories, but also eating "clean" without any refined sugars and white flower. So basically I had eliminated sugar and white flower/bread but I would still have a very tiny amount of whole wheat bread here and there - but very little.

During the past ten days or so I slowly started to eat...hmmm...let's say "liberally", including bread and hard cheeses - and not little.

I should mention that my whole life I have been a major carb addict and that the smell of Heaven for me is the smell of bread fresh out of the oven.

In the past 10 days I have still been eating good foods, in general, but as soon as I let the rein "loose" there's this one thing I start to abuse: BREAD - often accompanied by all sorts of cheeses.

Well...I noticed I started feeling a bit worse overall - despite obviously eating more calories now, including my "fun foods" (bread and cheese).
Before that I was always a bit on the hungry side because I was eating little overall;
but now, my hunger, or rather cravings for more and more of the attractive thing (bread with cheese) is 3 times worse.

In addition, now I tend to be a little bloated, with a very slight sensation of burning/indigestion and an overall sluggish feeling.
I apologize for the hardly graceful TMI, but I have also noticed some flatulence over the past few days of "bread and cheese" partying, which I NEVER had during those 3months of "orthodox" eating.

For the first time in 3-4 months, I failed to stay through my yoga class and just left half-way through it.
I couldn't do it, I wasn't in the mood for it and my body was sluggish with an extremely slight sensation of burning in my stomach/esophagus.

Given that this was the first time in my life when I had almost eliminated bread for a significant amount of time (3 months) and I WAS feeling better (though always slightly hungry because of the low calorie thing), and given that as soon as I introduced bread back in a relatively large amount (4-5 slices a day+ cheese), I started feeling a little on the "not good" side...could this mean I am allergic to gluten?

Can something that I crave so badly be also something that I am allergic to?

Is it possible to clearly test for allergies to gluten?

How do I know if this slight sensation of "not well" is due to the bread or to the hard cheeses?

Thank you for any input you might have,

USUALLY, allergy is accompanied by diarrhea and severe cramping... BUT, it is hypothesized that something like 75% of the population is actually "intolerant" to modern day wheat products (the wheat of today is a genetically modified version of the wheat our great grandparents used to bake with and is COMPLETELY different in structure - read Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis).

Intolerance has MANY MANY MANY symptoms and the issues you are complaining of fall in that category. An allergy test will likely come back negative as they have a significant failure rate for gluten intolerance (they're not even that accurate for people who actually have celiac).

If you felt better NOT eating wheat products, don't eat them. I don't eat them b/c I experience the same symptoms you do - bloating, gas, lethargy, general icky feeling. You can make up the lost so-called nutrients that come from wheat based products by eating more vegetables and fruits.

whierd

I am beginning to see DavPal's point.

mommytime27

sounds like your over eating.. I would cut out all white breads and if your still feeling hungry increase your protein.. Protein will help with the hunger., Your protein intake should be around 120 to 150 grams per day for woman and even more for men..