Wheat free /Gluten free diet

nm212

Hey, Anyone out there had success with this diet?

I'd like to hear your story!

chivalryder

If you don't have a medical reason to do it: DON'T!

That is, unless you enjoy spending ridiculous amounts of money on food that doesn't taste good, has hard and rough textures and costs 3-5x as much as it's gluten-filled counterpart.

As for weight loss: It doesn't nothing you can't do while eating gluten.

I eat (mostly) gluten-free now because I have a gluten allergy. I would give anything to be able to eat gluten again (among other food allergies). It's so not worth it if you don't have to do it.

SugaryLynx

If you choose to not go with an unnecessary elimination diet (assuming as pp stated, you don't have an allergy or intolerance). Here's a great link that steered me in the right direction

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

RenaTX

Unless you are doing it for health reasons I don't see the reason to be gluten free.

I'm gluten free. I'm do it because of PCOS. I have found that by going gluten free many of the hormone issues I was dealing with had greatly subsided . This is my reason for being gluten free . Regarding pricey substitutes for gluten. I found it easier to just not eat it or it's gluten free substitute.

marekdds

I agree. Don't do gf unless you have to. I do, and haven't had a decent piece of bread in years. GF is expensive and usually nasty. I did shed a few pounds giving up bread, but you can do that w/o gf.

nm212

Well, I started yesterday and I am feeling great, so I am all for it! My mind is more clear, I have energy, and no cravings! My stomach pains have gone away and just feel lighter. I even dropped .4 lbs ..compared to the day before. I was hoping for some positive responses but I respect all of your opinions and experiences. I'm reading the Wheat Belly book and it makes sense to me. I'm not saying I will never eat bread again but I can definitely tell the difference in the way I was feeling prior to how I feel now....and it's only been one day!

luca15306

I am gluten free through choice, though some tests I had taken showed that I had a wheat-intolerance, though I have heard there are no medical grounds to back this up. I eat gluten free 99% of the time, apart from the odd treat maybe every few weeks to monthly. Since going gluten free/wheat free, and properly looking at ingredients in foods about 18-24 months ago, I have lost over 3st, or 50 lbs whichever you prefer. I do feel much better when I don't eat it, less bloated and overfull, like feeling I have eaten too much. I do use some gluten free substitutes, though it is important to remember that these mostly don't have a less calorie advantage, in fact in some breads and biscuits the calories are slightly higher. I tend to have wheat free bread and pasta, around once a week each, and some biscuits each evening as a treat, while fitting into my daily calorie allowance.
I do believe there are some positive health benefits, but unless you have to, I don't recommend cutting it out completely, as this could lead to a greater intolerance overall, like if I don't have wheat/gluten for over a month, I tend to feel quite sick the next time I do, but this passes. Best of luck with your journey/decision

_Zardoz_

I am gluten free through choice, though some tests I had taken showed that I had a wheat-intolerance, though I have heard there are no medical grounds to back this up. I eat gluten free 99% of the time, apart from the odd treat maybe every few weeks to monthly. Since going gluten free/wheat free, and properly looking at ingredients in foods about 18-24 months ago, I have lost over 3st, or 50 lbs whichever you prefer. I do feel much better when I don't eat it, less bloated and overfull, like feeling I have eaten too much. I do use some gluten free substitutes, though it is important to remember that these mostly don't have a less calorie advantage, in fact in some breads and biscuits the calories are slightly higher. I tend to have wheat free bread and pasta, around once a week each, and some biscuits each evening as a treat, while fitting into my daily calorie allowance.
I do believe there are some positive health benefits, but unless you have to, I don't recommend cutting it out completely, as this could lead to a greater intolerance overall, like if I don't have wheat/gluten for over a month, I tend to feel quite sick the next time I do, but this passes. Best of luck with your journey/decision

Cutting out Gluten has nothing to do with your weightloss. All it means is that you were eating at a calorie deficit.

tennisdude2004

Hey, Anyone out there had success with this diet?

I'd like to hear your story!

Eating a gluten free diet is certainly no less healthy than eating gluten.

If you are curious to see if it makes a difference to how you feel then give it a go.

maybe do a 30 day study of one, If you feel better at the end of the 30 days stick with it. If you notice no difference add the gluten back.

With gluten or without gluten the key to successful weight loss is eat in a deficit.

berry987

We are gluten-free in our house, but that is because my son had chronic stomach pains for a year and eliminating gluten got rid of them. He does not have celiac, though - just some sort of intolerance. So the rest of the family is mostly gluten free to make it easier. I haven't seen any weight loss from being gluten-free, but I do feel better not eating gluten, although I pretty much steer clear of processed gluten-free things too (there's a ton of gluten-free junk food out there).

MarieRich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdJFE1sp4Fw

Bernadette60614

You'll find a wide variety of advice here from many wise and experienced people.

IF you're interested in the gluten free approach, you may want to check out two pre-existing groups: Perimeter Shoppers and Clean Eating.

Best of success on your journey whatever path you take!

MaryJane_8810002

I recently found out on an allergy test that I was allergic to wheat and rye. It was the reason why I was having some medical problems. This month I got serious and cut gluten out of my diet. I feel better and my weight has stabilized.

Now the real deal: It kind of sucks. There are so m any foods I can no longer eat because they contain wheat, even some brands of french fries. I even have to avoid soy because it gives me as bad a reaction as wheat. I would love to have real toast but I have to deal with brown rice bread which is like a spongy brick.

Now I say this just to say that you really should not follow this diet unless you have a legitimate medical problem. Following a fad is just not cool.

luca15306

I am gluten free through choice, though some tests I had taken showed that I had a wheat-intolerance, though I have heard there are no medical grounds to back this up. I eat gluten free 99% of the time, apart from the odd treat maybe every few weeks to monthly. Since going gluten free/wheat free, and properly looking at ingredients in foods about 18-24 months ago, I have lost over 3st, or 50 lbs whichever you prefer. I do feel much better when I don't eat it, less bloated and overfull, like feeling I have eaten too much. I do use some gluten free substitutes, though it is important to remember that these mostly don't have a less calorie advantage, in fact in some breads and biscuits the calories are slightly higher. I tend to have wheat free bread and pasta, around once a week each, and some biscuits each evening as a treat, while fitting into my daily calorie allowance.
I do believe there are some positive health benefits, but unless you have to, I don't recommend cutting it out completely, as this could lead to a greater intolerance overall, like if I don't have wheat/gluten for over a month, I tend to feel quite sick the next time I do, but this passes. Best of luck with your journey/decision

Cutting out Gluten has nothing to do with your weightloss. All it means is that you were eating at a calorie deficit.

I think that everybody works differently, I had previously followed a calorie controlled diet, weighing and logging with MFP, along with exercise and experienced little to no weight loss.. a pound here and there etc. I had also tried atkins, and slimming world, with no weight loss. Gluten free for me has been positive and I do believe it has contributed to my weight loss...My weight also increased when I introduced it again briefly to 'test your theory' while still eating at a deficit.
Different ways for different bodies

apriljackss

The only way to know if you are sensitive to gluten (not celiacs - they actually have a legitimate test for that) is to cut it out of your diet completely for about a month and then evaluate how you feel.

I have a condition stemming from inflammation and too much free androgens (PCOS) and gluten is a known trigger of inflammation. I cut it out of my diet 3 months ago and I won't ever go back. The first few weeks sucked, but it's no more expensive than eating any other way unless you're determined to buy all of the boxed and processed "gluten free" crap that's out there (the counterparts of which are also crap, so there's no difference there). If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store (with a few exceptions) you're good to go. I eat all the fruit, veggies, meats, nuts, seeds, rice, quinoa, lentils, dark chocolate that I want and I never feel hungry or deprived. On a somewhat unrelated note, I'm also lactose intolerant and sensitive to soy, and one of my new favorite things is coconut milk ice cream. Who needs milk or gluten?

Holly_Roman_Empire

Well, I started yesterday and I am feeling great, so I am all for it! My mind is more clear, I have energy, and no cravings! My stomach pains have gone away and just feel lighter. I even dropped .4 lbs ..compared to the day before. I was hoping for some positive responses but I respect all of your opinions and experiences. I'm reading the Wheat Belly book and it makes sense to me. I'm not saying I will never eat bread again but I can definitely tell the difference in the way I was feeling prior to how I feel now....and it's only been one day!

You can tell all that in a day?

Holly_Roman_Empire

I am gluten free through choice, though some tests I had taken showed that I had a wheat-intolerance, though I have heard there are no medical grounds to back this up. I eat gluten free 99% of the time, apart from the odd treat maybe every few weeks to monthly. Since going gluten free/wheat free, and properly looking at ingredients in foods about 18-24 months ago, I have lost over 3st, or 50 lbs whichever you prefer. I do feel much better when I don't eat it, less bloated and overfull, like feeling I have eaten too much. I do use some gluten free substitutes, though it is important to remember that these mostly don't have a less calorie advantage, in fact in some breads and biscuits the calories are slightly higher. I tend to have wheat free bread and pasta, around once a week each, and some biscuits each evening as a treat, while fitting into my daily calorie allowance.
I do believe there are some positive health benefits, but unless you have to, I don't recommend cutting it out completely, as this could lead to a greater intolerance overall, like if I don't have wheat/gluten for over a month, I tend to feel quite sick the next time I do, but this passes. Best of luck with your journey/decision

Cutting out Gluten has nothing to do with your weightloss. All it means is that you were eating at a calorie deficit.

I think that everybody works differently, I had previously followed a calorie controlled diet, weighing and logging with MFP, along with exercise and experienced little to no weight loss.. a pound here and there etc. I had also tried atkins, and slimming world, with no weight loss. Gluten free for me has been positive and I do believe it has contributed to my weight loss...My weight also increased when I introduced it again briefly to 'test your theory' while still eating at a deficit.
Different ways for different bodies

Of course your weight is going to increase when you introduce carbs back into your diet. Your body retains more water to break it down. It doesn't mean you gained fat just from eating bread again.

LVCeltGirl

I say try the Wheat Belly Diet, mainly to see if you get any added benefits (like you've observed, more energy, clearer head, etc). If you don't have a proven wheat allergy, I would consider adding wheat back into your diet just not as much as you used to eat.

I actually did this and did enjoy how much better I felt without the wheat but I found I was missing the pastas I liked (I've never been a big bread eater so giving up bread wasn't a problem, pasta, and flour tortillas is another matter entirely). I don't care for the gluten free pastas on the market, so getting my pasta that way didn't work. And I still love my spaghetti squash so it's not like I didn't like any alternatives to pasta out there.

Since cutting back on the wheat in my diet, I don't suffer from allergies like I used to even on extremely windy days. My mind is clearer and I do have more energy. I did not lose a bunch of weight when I went wheat free. I've lost more weight just logging my food and exercising than I've done with any "diet" out there. I lost maybe a couple of pounds and then stalled out (until I found MFP). Granted it was not a long time between wheat free and joining up on MFP.

I will not advocate cutting any food or food group for weight loss reasons unless it is for medical issues However that said, if you do cut a food or food group out and see other advantages to it, as well as have the knowledge that you can "live without that food and not get horrendous cravings for it", then don't eat that food or food group. It's as simple as that to me.

Ang108

Well, I started yesterday and I am feeling great, so I am all for it! My mind is more clear, I have energy, and no cravings! My stomach pains have gone away and just feel lighter. I even dropped .4 lbs ..compared to the day before. I was hoping for some positive responses but I respect all of your opinions and experiences. I'm reading the Wheat Belly book and it makes sense to me. I'm not saying I will never eat bread again but I can definitely tell the difference in the way I was feeling prior to how I feel now....and it's only been one day!

There is a difference between not eating bread and avoiding all gluten and it is done for different and often personal reasons. For example I have active Lupus as well as RA and I do not eat any white bread, because it increases the inflammation in my body due to the mix of the ingredients in commercial bread ( the processed flour, processed sugar, often cheap fat and additives to prolong shelf life ). I do eat on occasion home made bread with whole flour, grains made with olive oil and just enough sugar to make the yeast rise. And the reason for eating more natural bread only on occasion is because bread is a trigger food and eating it twice a month is my way of practicing " moderation ".
Commercially baked bread makes my hands, elbows and knees swell and it has nothing to do with gluten I think, because I can eat other natural foods that have gluten and I am fine.
Something similar might be true for you and that does not constitute a reason to avoid a whole group of foods you might otherwise enjoy without consequences.

Teenie71

Well, I started yesterday and I am feeling great, so I am all for it! My mind is more clear, I have energy, and no cravings! My stomach pains have gone away and just feel lighter. I even dropped .4 lbs ..compared to the day before. I was hoping for some positive responses but I respect all of your opinions and experiences. I'm reading the Wheat Belly book and it makes sense to me. I'm not saying I will never eat bread again but I can definitely tell the difference in the way I was feeling prior to how I feel now....and it's only been one day!

You can tell all that in a day?

hehehe I was thinking the EXACT same thing LMAO

kelleyblas

I am grain free/sugar free, never felt better in my life. I have ZERO cravings for processed foods and junk. I have lost almost 40 lbs since 2/26/2014. I have about 70 left and it is falling off, not to mention I sleep great, have no more pain in my feet and legs and my skin looks amazing.