Did you go gluten or dairy free? Why?

v70t5m

I went dairy free after reading a blurb in Neal Barnard's Reversing Diabetes book (for a family member). He wrote that dairy was linked to eczema, and I had been dealing with a closely related autoimmune disease, seborrheic dermatitis.

After months of steroid cream, within two weeks of cutting dairy, I was off my medication. It has been five years now.

My clear skin has definitely been worth the loss of dairy. I miss nachos, but that is about it.

bronnibee

I limit the amount I eat. I get really moody if I eat too much + I get stomach pains

Swampstar

I get really bad stomach cramps and awful wind when I eat gluten, it bloats me out something chronic too so I avoid it where possible. I've found gluten free bread is a pretty disgusting substitute so I avoid that too if I can. To start with I found it hard to avoid gluten, it's in more food products then I expected, but it's got a lot easier and I find stores are starting to stock more gluten free options. The only time I struggle is when my other half has pizza or toast, then the temptation gets too much!

I'm also milk free, not dairy, just milk. It makes my throat itch when I drink it so I stick to soy milk. It's not as nice but stops me from coughing so I put up with it.

As from losing weight by being gluten free, I've yet to see any change, if anything I've put weight on...

pdworkman

Let me know if you need help! I am vegetarian, grain free, dairy free, with other allergies. I try to keep the fruit servings down too, which has made a big difference to my skin. And hot spices cause me problems too.

My diary is open. Note that I am just journalling foods in the notes section right now, so scroll down if you don't see anything logged.

Red meat bothers me. I have cut way back on it because of other problems.

Give it some time with cutting gluten out. It can take a long time for some problems to go away. I'm also having to watch my sugar even though it all comes from fruit. I didn't do so good today because of recipe experiment gone horribly wrong. lol.

I eat a lot of eggs, beans and am trying to eat more vegetables thru the day.

So far I'm doing better and have things under control but I need to add more foods in my daily diet. Finding something I can eat and like the taste of can be a challenge.

skonly

Let me know if you need help! I am vegetarian, grain free, dairy free, with other allergies. I try to keep the fruit servings down too, which has made a big difference to my skin. And hot spices cause me problems too.

My diary is open. Note that I am just journalling foods in the notes section right now, so scroll down if you don't see anything logged.

Red meat bothers me. I have cut way back on it because of other problems.

Give it some time with cutting gluten out. It can take a long time for some problems to go away. I'm also having to watch my sugar even though it all comes from fruit. I didn't do so good today because of recipe experiment gone horribly wrong. lol.

I eat a lot of eggs, beans and am trying to eat more vegetables thru the day.

So far I'm doing better and have things under control but I need to add more foods in my daily diet. Finding something I can eat and like the taste of can be a challenge.

Thanks. This is nothing new to me. The gluten thing has been going on for a few years. Menopausal issues are why I started eating meat again and looking back it wasn't a good idea. For the same reasons I am weaning myself off it.

I eat the way I do because it's what works for my body. I get so mad when people say I don't enough. I'm really bothered by some posts I see on this site. For me it's all about health and feeling good, doing what I can to be healthy and prevent disease.

Not to be rude and I'm sure this will offend many.....But I see a lot of people eating 1800 to 2500 calories a day who say they have struggled with weight their whole lives. If you need to lose a very large amount of weight and that calorie amount is good for you then do it, but too many people, in my opinion, are logging exercise to add calories and when I see a diary with cupcakes, ice cream, 5 or 6 diet protein bars and stuff like that every day I don't think they have found a long term solution to the weight problem. It's fine to have treats once in a while, I enjoy them. But I can't stand it when someone who eats that way says I'm not eating enough.

It's about what you eat. Why are there so few people understanding this? If a person is eating cupcakes and ice cream every day it doesn't really matter if they stay within a certain calorie range. Once they stop they will gain it back because they haven't made lifestyle changes. It's hard at first so sometimes cutting back a little at a time is needed.

I think a lot of the advice given on some of these threads is dangerous. Some people have food addictions and need help switching over to healthier foods, telling them to just exercise off the donuts every day isn't going to be a long term solution.

I want everyone to be healthy. The obesity problem in the country is out of control and I personally believe it's due to eating bad foods.

Sorry for ranting about this here but it's been bothering me. There are people on here seriously trying to become healthier and make positive changes and they need help by being supportive and shown healthy examples.

karagetsfit

I try to cut back as much on both. Working on cutting them both out completely again. They both make me feel like crap.

pdworkman

A heads-up before you look at my diary, then! I run and weight train, so my calories are 2500+. However, most of my intake is "clean" whole foods. If you see cookie, muffin, or ice cream in my journal, rest assured that it is homemade, grain free, vegan, fat free, and a small portion size! LOL.

Not to be rude and I'm sure this will offend many.....But I see a lot of people eating 1800 to 2500 calories a day who say they have struggled with weight their whole lives. If you need to lose a very large amount of weight and that calorie amount is good for you then do it, but too many people, in my opinion, are logging exercise to add calories and when I see a diary with cupcakes, ice cream, 5 or 6 diet protein bars and stuff like that every day I don't think they have found a long term solution to the weight problem. It's fine to have treats once in a while, I enjoy them. But I can't stand it when someone who eats that way says I'm not eating enough.

It's about what you eat. Why are there so few people understanding this? If a person is eating cupcakes and ice cream every day it doesn't really matter if they stay within a certain calorie range. Once they stop they will gain it back because they haven't made lifestyle changes. It's hard at first so sometimes cutting back a little at a time is needed.

skonly

A heads-up before you look at my diary, then! I run and weight train, so my calories are 2500+. However, most of my intake is "clean" whole foods. If you see cookie, muffin, or ice cream in my journal, rest assured that it is homemade, grain free, vegan, fat free, and a small portion size! LOL.

Not to be rude and I'm sure this will offend many.....But I see a lot of people eating 1800 to 2500 calories a day who say they have struggled with weight their whole lives. If you need to lose a very large amount of weight and that calorie amount is good for you then do it, but too many people, in my opinion, are logging exercise to add calories and when I see a diary with cupcakes, ice cream, 5 or 6 diet protein bars and stuff like that every day I don't think they have found a long term solution to the weight problem. It's fine to have treats once in a while, I enjoy them. But I can't stand it when someone who eats that way says I'm not eating enough.

It's about what you eat. Why are there so few people understanding this? If a person is eating cupcakes and ice cream every day it doesn't really matter if they stay within a certain calorie range. Once they stop they will gain it back because they haven't made lifestyle changes. It's hard at first so sometimes cutting back a little at a time is needed.

That wasn't directed at you or any one person. lol.

Everyone should eat what they need to eat. Since I wrote that today I was lectured by someone who weighs about 100 lbs more than me on healthy eating. The whole time I'm looking at the 3 bags of chips and boxes of cookies on the counter, she was also eating ice cream at the time. Oh but I don't eat right! It's that kind of thing that makes me mad. It all got started because she noticed I had lost a few pounds.

I admit I did set my goal on here higher than what I probably need to. It's 10 lbs less than my normal weight should be. I'm gonna change it. If need to lose the extra I will, I only did it because of some changes my body has been through and I may need to be a little thinner because of it.

Oh but I've had so many people tell me I'm not eating enough because of the amount I need to lose I'm going to change it to what my normal weight was.

When I was younger, before my injuries, I ran and worked out a lot, I ate more. lol. I can't run or do any type of workout really. I can walk though and walk all day with my job. I get paid to do what most people are doing for exercise, I walk dogs. How great is that? If I'm having a bad day or can't do as much I don't. But I stay active and do what I can. A lot of little habits make a difference. I park at the end of parking lots, always have. Just because I can't do some things doesn't mean I can't do others.

Sidesteal

I'm contemplating going gluten and dairy free. If you have tell me why, and what you've noticed is different.

No, because these products don't cause me any issues.

starracer23

I chow down the gluten and the dairy...

There seem to be a lot more people that suddenly want to be gluten free....cause it's a new "fad" thing. If you have issues with gluten...then yeah don't eat it. If you think that you will lose weight by going gluten free...you need to do some more research

What really gets to me is how marketing plays into the the whole "fad" thing...now they are adding onto the labels "GLUTEN FREE" when all long there wasn't any...but now it needs to be advertised...silly fad crap!

momof8munchkins

for health reasons and no other choice like another poster mentioned.. I have to eat certain way or get deathly ill.I have celiac disease and with it many food intolerances I am gluten, grain, dairy,legume and soy free.

opuntia

I tried going gluten free - because I'm on the autism spectrum, and there is quite a bit of media saying that a gluten-free diet helps with the sensory issues, processing issues, and digestive issues of autism. Basically, i wanted to get rid of stomach pain and exhaustion and sensory overload. However, I didn't find the gluten-free diet very helpful. When I'm eating natural things that have no gluten in them - fruit, veg, rice, etc. - that is fine and very helpful. But when eating processed gluten-free food, I had just the same problems as when eating processed food with gluten in it. Obviously, everyone is different, and the gluten-free diet may be brilliant for some people, but for me, the best diet is simply to have natural, unprocessed food, and small portions (I get the same problems from overeating). I don't follow this strictly, but I try to follow it as much as possible, and I follow it more strictly when my life is more stressful than usual, because then I need to follow it more.

As for dairy, I don't drink milk - this was a choice I made in my early twenties, because I never liked milk, but as a kid I was forced to drink it, because it was seen as a necessary part of children's diets. Once I stopped drinking it as an adult, I immediately noticed a positive difference to my health and sense of wellbeing. I still eat cheese and yogurt though - I like them and they have no negative effect on me.

rlmadrid

Why: I have severe gastrointestinal reactions to gluten, and mild gastrointestinal reactions to dairy.

Verdict: Yes, it made a difference.

rlmadrid

Thank you all for your replies. I ask because I am an acupuncturist, and so often I have patients with auto immune disease, and dairy and gluten are the #1 allergens that people have disease from. I guess the ONLY way to find out is to eliminate them from my diet for a few weeks. I have been widdling down, but can't commit to gluten free. I am pretty sure I am sensitive to rice as I always get very bloated from it, but I also know I have low HCL in my stomach. Right now lowering my calories to 1600 has helped tremendously. Thanks again for everyone's help!!

Sidebar: No gluten in rice. That seems to be a common misconception in these forums.

MoveTheMountain

I'm trying the paleo/primal food approach, and so far it's been great. I don't miss the gluten/grains at all these days, and although I occasionally slip on the dairy, I really don't miss that either. And it's working.

rlmadrid

I chow down the gluten and the dairy...

There seem to be a lot more people that suddenly want to be gluten free....cause it's a new "fad" thing. If you have issues with gluten...then yeah don't eat it. If you think that you will lose weight by going gluten free...you need to do some more research

What really gets to me is how marketing plays into the the whole "fad" thing...now they are adding onto the labels "GLUTEN FREE" when all long there wasn't any...but now it needs to be advertised...silly fad crap!

I agree with you on the fad stuff. But the "GLUTEN FREE" on the labels was actually really helpful when I was transitioning. It gave me a sense of security, and helped avoid me missing dangerous ingredients.

skonly

I chow down the gluten and the dairy...

There seem to be a lot more people that suddenly want to be gluten free....cause it's a new "fad" thing. If you have issues with gluten...then yeah don't eat it. If you think that you will lose weight by going gluten free...you need to do some more research

What really gets to me is how marketing plays into the the whole "fad" thing...now they are adding onto the labels "GLUTEN FREE" when all long there wasn't any...but now it needs to be advertised...silly fad crap!

I agree with you on the fad stuff. But the "GLUTEN FREE" on the labels was actually really helpful when I was transitioning. It gave me a sense of security, and helped avoid me missing dangerous ingredients.

I like the labels. The fad will pass once people realize eating packaged gluten free cookies every day in place of other cookies is not a magic bullet. Who can afford that stuff anyway?

Sabine_Stroehm

I'm about 90% GF. My tummy is just happier that way. less bloating, less constipation... Just happier.

but, I don't substitute all the GF foods. I don't go looking for things that are GF to eat. I will some times eat GF bread, but that's about it. I certainly don't eat GF junk food.

rlmadrid

I chow down the gluten and the dairy...

There seem to be a lot more people that suddenly want to be gluten free....cause it's a new "fad" thing. If you have issues with gluten...then yeah don't eat it. If you think that you will lose weight by going gluten free...you need to do some more research

What really gets to me is how marketing plays into the the whole "fad" thing...now they are adding onto the labels "GLUTEN FREE" when all long there wasn't any...but now it needs to be advertised...silly fad crap!

I agree with you on the fad stuff. But the "GLUTEN FREE" on the labels was actually really helpful when I was transitioning. It gave me a sense of security, and helped avoid me missing dangerous ingredients.

I like the labels. The fad will pass once people realize eating packaged gluten free cookies every day in place of other cookies is not a magic bullet. Who can afford that stuff anyway?

That and they are usually WAY worse for you in terms of cals and macros... I usually just eat real food too.

rlmadrid

I'm about 90% GF. My tummy is just happier that way. less bloating, less constipation... Just happier.

but, I don't substitute all the GF foods. I don't go looking for things that are GF to eat. I will some times eat GF bread, but that's about it. I certainly don't eat GF junk food.

I am a sucker for the yogurt covered pretzels... It's a dairy cheat but oh my gosh are they amazing. Otherwise, I'm the same way.

fbmandy55

Yeah. Because everyone is doing it!

starracer23

My only point was how NOW the marketing peeps are getting all "GLUTEN FREE" happy, when the item had no gluten in it to begin with. They are just using it to get people to buy it.

They are walking along in the store and see it and they are like "Oh wow...this is now gluten free...I have to buy it!!"

**I thought I "quoted"...I didn't. Quote fail!

sheleen302

My wife is gluten free due to Celiac Disease and I recently joined her and am trying to stay on a Paleo diet -- however, I sometimes eat something (pizza, cake, cookies) and will feel it the next day or two. I do feel much better on my diet and I also lost 15 pounds just by changing my diet. Read "Wheat Belly" for a lot of interesting details on eliminating wheat/gluten from your diet.

I second reading the "wheat belly" book!!!!!!!! It's very enlightening!!!

Please check out this review of Wheat Belly.http://noglutennoproblem.blogspot.com/2012/03/wheat-belly-busted.html I'm not saying you need to throw the book out, but not everything you read is true. That said, I have been dairy and gluten free for 2 months due to allergies and inflammation. One of the interesting side effects is that I no longer have indegestion, of any kind. I can eat peppers, cucumbers--Never could before. I do feel better overall.

1holegrouper

To my knowledge I'm not at all allergic to gluten or dairy. I cut them from my diet still and I've had very positve results. But I think the only reason is this:

For gluten, wheat is the main food that people eat containing it. Wheat products, even when staying in my calorie limit, seemed to overstimulate insulin production in my system and I was too hungry all the time. When I cut it that went away. So, putting fads and popular books aside, that's why I cut it.

For dairy. There might be some truth about toxic effects, etc. but that is not why I don't eat it. The items I would eat the most would be cheese and ice cream. So I asked myself, Do you really want this in your diet if you are serious about losing weight and getting ripped? That's a no brainer to me. I don't freak out if I'm handed a salad with cheese in it and if I'm in someone's home and they hand me some ice cream I'll probably eat (maybe just one bite) it but at the same time I don't plan cheese or milk or cream in my diet. It would be a rare exception.

fbmandy55

My only point was how NOW the marketing peeps are getting all "GLUTEN FREE" happy, when the item had no gluten in it to begin with. They are just using it to get people to buy it.

They are walking along in the store and see it and they are like "Oh wow...this is now gluten free...I have to buy it!!"

**I thought I "quoted"...I didn't. Quote fail!

I totally agree with this. I am neither but see too many people posting recipes on facebook or talking about being gluten free when they are far from health conscious people. It's kind of turning into a fad.

Wenchilada

After I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 29 and damn near died from a medication reaction, I tried an elimination diet, about a year after I had recovered from that cluster - in case they screwed up my initial diagnosis and it was just a food intolerance. I cut gluten first. It turned out that I felt much better overall and wasn't having symptoms of GERD anymore, either (I had been on Prilosec/Zantac/Aciphex off and on since I was 21). I initially gained about 20 lbs when I went gluten-free, though, partly because it took a while to realize that it wasn't a license to just run to Costco, fill up the rice cooker, and eat a pound of rice at every meal.

I agree with those who suggest you don't waste your money on "gluten-free" substitutes, or stuff that should already naturally be gluten-free. I rolled my eyes HARD when I saw that Glutino is now selling "gluten-free" corn tortilla chips and potato chips. You get half as much for twice the price. Look for foods that should naturally be gluten-free, like fruits, vegetables, and proteins (other than gluten - btw, many of the meat substitutes on the market are at least partially gluten-based.) Over time I've gradually changed my entire way of thinking about food and meals. I've been on this track for 2 years now, but I do still indulge in a gluten-free cupcake now and then - because damn, it's cake.

If you don't suspect that you have a medical reason to eliminate gluten, though, and you just want to try it to lose weight, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money. Some people who are diagnosed with Celiac later in life actually end up gaining a substantial amount of weight during the adjustment period of eliminating gluten, because their bodies are finally absorbing the nutrients they take in. It's not a low-fat, low-carb, or low-calorie way of eating, unless you really work to make it that way. The macros are usually pretty terrible on the gluten-free imitations of ordinarily wheat-based foods (typically much lower in fiber and much higher in calories, simple carbs, and fat).

Farburnfred

I eat wheat and gluten free because I have very painful heavy periods (endometriosis) and cutting out the wheat and gluten cures it. I also get less mood swings and less fatigue..works for me. I do eat rice, I don't eat gluten free subs becausethey tend to be loaded with sugar UNLESS someone has bought something in especially for me.

I was vegan for 3 years as my daughter had an infant allergy to milk and milk protein and I was breastfeeding, but when she hit 3 I tried her and she tolerates smalls mounts now. And I had to cut out wheat and tbh it was very hard to get the calories and energy I needed without wheat and milk!

slkehl

Unless you have a true gluten sensitivity there's no health benefit to cutting gluten out of your diet. But hey, the placebo effect runs strong when it comes to dietary choices so why not!

This

DominiqueSmall

I have Celiac Disease so that is why I finally did it. I feel much better now. More energy. More consistent energy. Better memory. No gass, bloatedness, abdominal pain, itchy skin, bowel issues, etc.

On the other side, you might want to consider reading, Wheat Belly (which I did). Totally helped me understand why so many people are having problems losing weight. Even atheletes.

Good luck!

monicalosesweight

What really gets to me is how marketing plays into the the whole "fad" thing...now they are adding onto the labels "GLUTEN FREE" when all long there wasn't any...but now it needs to be advertised...silly fad crap!

I think that there are specific rules about actually putting that label on a product - it has to be tested and under 20 ppm. In fact, I don't think they can just label the product without complying with the law. That's why you'll see labels that say 'processed in a factory that also processes wheat' at times.

The reality is while a lot of us might survive a slight bit of contamination, there are people out there who need to be sure that there's no contamination or they wind up in a hospital - people suffering from extreme Celiac's or dangerous wheat/gluten allergies. Trust me - for some - this is like a peanut allergy. I know I definitely notice when I accidentally get some into my system as it goes into overdrive with skin rashes and such on contact with wheat.

http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/foodallergenslabeling/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/ucm111487.htm