I want to cut gluten...

BUT IM SCARED!! its in everything... Im not a pasta eater, but i am all about special k cereal and protein bars to keep me going during the day.

Ive already cut most, but not ALL, the sugar in my life, but gluten too??!!
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Replies

  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Why do you want to cut out gluten, and why did you cut out sugar?
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    Do you have coeliacs and diabetes? If the answer is no, you dont' need to cut either.

    Gluten is just a protein. Unless your body doesn't produce the enzyme to break it down, there's no reason to jump on the fad bandwagon by eliminating it from your diet.

    If the answers were yes, continue on.
  • TX_Rhon
    TX_Rhon Posts: 1,549 Member
    Is it because you have special health concerns? Or have you just been dragged into the "gluten-free" fad?
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    BUT IM SCARED!! its in everything... Im not a pasta eater, but i am all about special k cereal and protein bars to keep me going during the day.

    Ive already cut most, but not ALL, the sugar in my life, but gluten too??!!

    Do you have celiac?
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    The avoid gluten fad makes about as much sense as a fad to avoid peanuts because some people are deathly allergic to peanuts.

    If you have celiac then yeah you should avoid gluten, if you don't have celiac then you shouldn't worry about it.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    When I eat I get extremely bloated, like I look 6 months pregnant. Today, for lunch, i ate a grilled chicken and roasted red peppers wrap. instant pregnancy look. So... not trying to jump on any band wagon, im trying to figure out what my digestive issues are from.

    and i cut sugar because i was seriously addicted to sugar. Like twinkies and mountain dew for breakfast addicted.....
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    When I eat I get extremely bloated, like I look 6 months pregnant. Today, for lunch, i ate a grilled chicken and roasted red peppers wrap. instant pregnancy look. So... not trying to jump on any band wagon, im trying to figure out what my digestive issues are from.

    and i cut sugar because i was seriously addicted to sugar. Like twinkies and mountain dew for breakfast addicted.....

    Have you gone to your doctor and been tested for Celiac? It is more common in women and can manifest later in life. My mother was diagnosed with it in her 50s and her symptoms were bloating and discomfort when eating gluten containing foods.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    :*(... later in life! hahaha, no, i havent. i just figured id cut it myself and see if i feel better.
  • TX_Rhon
    TX_Rhon Posts: 1,549 Member
    When I eat I get extremely bloated, like I look 6 months pregnant. Today, for lunch, i ate a grilled chicken and roasted red peppers wrap. instant pregnancy look. So... not trying to jump on any band wagon, im trying to figure out what my digestive issues are from.

    and i cut sugar because i was seriously addicted to sugar. Like twinkies and mountain dew for breakfast addicted.....

    I do not really believe in sugar addictions however, Special K cereal and protein bars contain sugar so I'm not sure you truly cut out sugar as much as you think you have.

    Roasted red peppers? To be blunt, could it have been gas? Have you consulted your doctor? I'm just not sure why the rush to cut gluten when you are still eating the Special K cereal and protein bars. Those aren't the best choices in healthy if that's what you are after.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    :*(... later in life! hahaha, no, i havent. i just figured id cut it myself and see if i feel better.

    I meant not everyone is born with it manifested, didn't mean you looked 50 :-P

    But seriously it sounds to me like right now you are just guessing and you probably shouldn't make such a drastic dietary restriction based on a guess. You can get tested for that, if you don't have celiac then gluten isn't the issue.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    i didnt say i cut all sugar, i cant go cold turkey, ill get the shakes. and it happens when i eat anything that has a wheat product. I can eat grilled chicken alone, no problem. I can eat red peppers alone, no problem. Add the wrap, ughhhhhhhh.

    frequent abdominal bloating and pain is a symptom of celiacs.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    frequent abdominal bloating and pain is a symptom of celiacs.

    It is. Its a symptom of a lot of things. Just saying there is an actual medical test for celiacs that can determine 100% whether or not you have it. Before you go into a rather severe dietary restriction you should probably have the test, might save you the trouble.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    thank u for the replies!
  • laylaness
    laylaness Posts: 262 Member
    Celiac's is rare. Gluten sensitivity is not the same thing as Celiac's.

    Talk to your doctor.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Stop trying to give yourself some ailment. If you have a real problem go and see a doctor.
  • merisaOct3
    merisaOct3 Posts: 197 Member
    Back in 2008, I started gaining a lot of weight, my skin was a mess, my immune system was a mess, I felt nauseated all the time, and I was having severe IBS. Finally, after talking with some friends about gluten sensitivity, I cut out gluten entirely in early 2009. I have never gone back. I immediately lost 20 lbs (water weight), my skin cleared up, I have normal movements, and I stopped getting sick all the time. I was tested in the summer of 2009 (after about 6 mo gluten free) - endoscopy - and my GI doc found some damage to my small intestine, but not enough to determine "celiac." So there are lots of variations of gluten sensitivities, intolerance, and outright celiac.
    In the event I am "gluten-ed" through being sloppy at a restaurant or something like that, I get similar symptoms - my joints ache, my stomach gets upset, etc.
    Now, on to the part you're scared about - it is SO worth it! For your first month or so, try to focus on not buying the substitutes (gluten free waffles, breads, cereals, etc.) I would suggest you stick with naturally gluten-free foods, like rice, quinoa, potatoes, and of course lots of veggies, fruits, and proteins. Be cautious about hidden wheat - soy sauce, salad dressings, soups, anything that might have a thickener in it. (You can easily find "safe" versions of these products.)
    It will gradually get easier, and now there are a ton of "substitute" products available at virtually all major grocery stores here in the US. So when you want to add back in bread or cereal or granola bars, find some good ones that work for you. I like Udi's brand, Amy's Organic Kitchen, and some of the Van's products. Some of the rice breads suck, so don't judge all gluten-free products based on one bad one. We even have some dedicated GF bakeries right here in town!
    Do what's right for you - and good luck!
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Celiac's is rare. Gluten sensitivity is not the same thing as Celiac's.

    Talk to your doctor.

    Celiac is NOT rare.
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    I cut it recently due to an increase in long term IBS issues OP. Get tested first -

    seriously unless you actually do need to cut it from your diet its a giant pain in the a**. Once you actually start scanning labels you will realise it's in practically everything processed. Makes food choices a complete frickin nightmare. Also gluten free alternatives are way more expensive & the bread for instance tastes like crap. Why put yourself through it unless its medically deemed necessary?
  • daybehavior
    daybehavior Posts: 1,319 Member
    Celiac's is rare. Gluten sensitivity is not the same thing as Celiac's.

    Talk to your doctor.

    Celiac is NOT rare.

    Less than 1% of the global population is not rare?
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Celiac's is rare. Gluten sensitivity is not the same thing as Celiac's.

    Talk to your doctor.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22850429

    Prevalence of about 1 in 140 which would imply 2 million in the US. It happens to be underdiagnosed but not rare.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Celiac's is rare. Gluten sensitivity is not the same thing as Celiac's.

    Talk to your doctor.

    Celiac is NOT rare.

    Less than 1% of the global population is not rare?

    No, that is not particularly rare in terms of diseases.
  • daybehavior
    daybehavior Posts: 1,319 Member

    LOL nice.......

    No, that is not particularly rare in terms of diseases.

    I stand corrected.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    Some of the replies are so helpful, thank you to the people who replied kindly, since i am trying to figure out why i am in pain and bloated. I didnt realize people were so passionate about gluten.

    I am ok checking labels, since I did it when my daughter was an infant and she was DIAGNOSED with being allergic to dairy. yes... at a dr. BUT, before the drs could figure out what her issues were from (eczema, reflux, painful, bloated abdomin) i cut dairy out of my diet.. and her symptoms went away. drs dont always know best, WE know best because i am living in my body. Ill try to cut it for 2 weeks, 1 week to clear it out of my system and 1 week to see how i am without it. If it helps, great, if it doesnt, ill go back to eating it. Not a biggie.

    so... there goes my Blue moons.... wahhhhhhhhh, is there wheat in vodka? hahahaha
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    I'm gluten free because I have Crohn's disease and insulin resistance. I'm not sure why people say it's hard to be gluten free because it's not. It's only hard for those who eat a lot of processed foods.

    I eat the same thing for breakfast every morning…. Bob's Red Mill gluten free steel cut oats with gluten free flax seeds.

    For a morning snack, I usually have a banana.

    For lunch, I have 4-6 oz. of meat, brown rice, sweet potato, or white potato, and veggies.

    For afternoon snacks, I usually have a Kind bar because they are gluten free.

    For dinner, 4-6 oz. of meat, brown rice, sweet potato, or white potato, and veggies.

    I don't eat cake, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pasta, muffins, etc. so for me, it's not a problem. I still eat gluten free pretzels and crackers. My favorite brand is Glutino. I love Nature's Promise organic gluten free popcorn. Other snacks for me include nuts, fruits, and veggies with greek yogurt dip. If I do want a treat, I go to a local gluten free/dairy free/soy protein free/egg free/nut free/non GMO bakery and freeze whatever I buy. I currently have gluten free multigrain bread and vanilla poundcake in my freezer.

    I RARELY eat out unless I am traveling. When I do eat out, (which is once in a blue moon), I order off of the gluten free menu. Obviously when you eat out at a restaurant, there is the possibility of cross-contaimination so keep that in mind.
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
    If you truly think you have Celiac Disease, it is important to get the blood test and intestinal biopsy while still eating gluten.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    I'm gluten free because I have Crohn's disease and insulin resistance. I'm not sure why people say it's hard to be gluten free because it's not. It's only hard for those who eat a lot of processed foods.

    I eat the same thing for breakfast every morning…. Bob's Red Mill gluten free steel cut oats with gluten free flax seeds.

    For a morning snack, I usually have a banana.

    For lunch, I have 4-6 oz. of meat, brown rice, sweet potato, or white potato, and veggies.

    For afternoon snacks, I usually have a Kind bar because they are gluten free.

    For dinner, 4-6 oz. of meat, brown rice, sweet potato, or white potato, and veggies.

    I don't eat cake, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pasta, muffins, etc. so for me, it's not a problem. I still eat gluten free pretzels and crackers. My favorite brand is Glutino. I love Nature's Promise organic gluten free popcorn. Other snacks for me include nuts, fruits, and veggies with greek yogurt dip. If I do want a treat, I go to a local gluten free/dairy free/soy protein free/egg free/nut free/non GMO bakery and freeze whatever I buy. I currently have gluten free multigrain bread and vanilla poundcake in my freezer.

    I RARELY eat out unless I am traveling. When I do eat out, (which is once in a blue moon), I order off of the gluten free menu. Obviously when you eat out at a restaurant, there is the possibility of cross-contaimination so keep that in mind.

    No offense but you state that you can't understand why people think its hard to avoid gluten and then proceed to describe an incredibly regimented diet that does not involve eating out except for at places that offer gluten free menus.

    Some people might legitimately consider that a heavy restriction.

    If you have Chrons or Celiac and it becomes required for you to do it for your health then its understandable but I see no reason why you would do such a thing on a whim and a suspicion.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    If you truly think you have Celiac Disease, it is important to get the blood test and intestinal biopsy while still eating gluten.

    Yes, OP, you should get tested for Celiac. It's a simple blood test.

    DO NOT STOP EATING GLUTEN BEFORE GETTING BLOOD WORK. If you stop eating gluten before test, you will test negative.
  • kimiejo76
    kimiejo76 Posts: 24
    Im not getting tested. Just cutting it out for 2 weeks. if it works and i feel better, adios gluten. If it doesnt, hello gluten. Not eating gluten isnt a big deal, there are other things to eat and it will help me not eat junk, since gluten makes up all junk food.
  • Renneke
    Renneke Posts: 70 Member
    :*(... later in life! hahaha, no, i havent. i just figured id cut it myself and see if i feel better.
    I was diagnosed with Celiac and I don't see how a self-imposed elimination diet can help if you do have Celiac, because the cross contamination issues are so hard to deal with. I was sick for a good four months after being diagnosed, and I was sure there was no gluten in my diet. (I was wrong). I really do recommend going to the doctor.