Gluten Free Girls (and Guys!)

CardioRS

joyelizabeth - Soy hasn't been a problem for you? Just curious - with the cysts (which I have had some big ones), I was curious as most soy is genetically 'modified' these days and it can act like estrogen. As far as sweeteners - you need to try Stevia. I use it in my hot green tea each day and love it. It has a low glycemic index and comes from a root. Just be sure to get the alcohol free one.

Your protein intake must be low - how do you do with beans? Are you able to tolerate them? Also - have you tried the "Just Whites" dehydrated egg whites for some protein. I use Just Whites in my morning shakes at times instead of a soy or whey protein. It is smooth, flavorless and has 3g of protein in 10 calories.

:flowerforyou:

leavinglasvegas

Oh! I forgot about the sweetner part. I agree with using Stevia.

As for Xylitol, its a wonderful cavity preventer. I worked at a pediatric dental clinic for a major childrens hospital. The Peds residents had to do research on certain topics and one of the doctors did Xylitol. As for it being ingested, she discovered that there really isn't enough research to how it reacts. They actually recommended that it NOT be ingested. Just used for cavity prevention. It works really well in that aspect and they always gave it to the children who had disabilities whose enamal may not have formed properly or to children who were cavity prone. But it was always stressed that they NOT ingest it.

As for natural sugars found in fruits, I think they shouldn't be counted in the sugar count. It has been asked before if Mike can seperate them from the sugar count, but I think he said its just too complicated. I don't use that colum anyway because I don't use added sugar or eat very many processed foods. Therefore, its not really necessary to keep track. I'm the same way you described on sugar and caffiene. Its like spped for me. I start talking fast and can't shut up. I shake and need to fidgit constantly. I "just say no" to sugar, lol.

Crysta1976

YAY! I'm so excited this group was brought up today! I can't wait to sit and read everybody's stories!

JoyElizabeth

Firstly, thanks everyone for your input –I’ve had a long time to study what works and what doesn’t work for me regarding food and given that I’ve got a strong “system” mentality, I’m finally at a place where I’m mostly happy with how I’ve got things running. Everyone I talk to or read has something wonderful to offer, and if I haven’t already checked it out to see if it works for me, then I look to see how it might “fit” in my life and I either embrace it or discard it depending on the trial and error process.

cutmd - To see what I eat on an average day, maybe add me as a friend and check out my food diary. I think I can only eat like this because I have simplified my tastes over the years. Don’t get me wrong, this has not been easy and is why I have succumbed to so many foods that while they taste good, aren’t good for me and has kept the weight on for all these years!

The soy certainly keeps my protein up and from what protein products I like and can eat, the vege Hot Dogs seem to provide the best balance of nutrients, convenience, satiety and taste. I have a pure soy powder that I use in a pinch if I run out of Soy products in the fridge, but even with rice milk it’s not easy to drink it unless I mix it with so much other stuff which gets complicated, so it sits in the cupboard hoping to get better with age :-)

I don’t seem to have a problem with my protein levels gauging by the MFP monitors, but the only reason I’m concerned about the soy products that I use is that they still have a small amount of gluten/sugar in it, they are still processed, and I don’t know if it is making a difference to my well-being or not – I will have to weigh up the pros and cons on this, but I’ll wait to see how I go and how I’m feeling once I’ve lost some more weight and see if I need to change it or not – dropping the soy may not be necessary – I hope not, because I am just now getting into the swing of things and enjoying my lifestyle – but I’m also not sure about the long term effects of having a lot of soy in my diet in terms of it increasing my intolerance to soy later on – like you all say “What do I do for protein then?”.

I’m supposed to have a special medical rice-based shake called “Ultra Clear Plus” that the doctor tells me to take every day to cleanse my liver, but I keep forgetting to have it unless I’ve eaten too much bad stuff and then I’ll remember to take it :-)

Mind you, my liver test has come down from 412 to 140 over 5 years eating like this, so I’m not complaining. I’ve still got a ways to go to get it to 40, but now that I’m eating well and not undoing all my good work by fighting myself and eating badly, I’ll have a better chance of getting those levels lower.

No, my calories aren’t low – and I don’t mind eating the same types of foods over and over again, but I mix them up in different ways to keep things interesting anyway. Plus I just try to substitute my soy products in where the family have their “meat” and so I never run out of ideas as they have a varied diet too. And I also keep remembering a saying that goes “Remember, cows get fat eating green grass!” so even if I eat “Healthy” I can still get fat!

And just like you said, I don’t think I’ll worry about the natural sugar in fruit, because I don't eat any added sugar. I rarely go near mangoes though – far too much sugar and it affects my brain!



NicoleE516 & CardioRS - Soy doesn’t appear to be a problem for me. Since I’ve adopted these eating routines, my cysts have shrunk by more than half thankfully and I am nowhere near a surgeon’s knife now (providing I keep doing the right things most of the time).

My doctor says that my estrogen levels are normal, but my progesterone is extremely low even though I would take double dosages to lift their levels. Because it gave me such bad migraines I stopped using the cream and the only thing I have adjusted over the past 2 years is my diet – since I eat well, my cycles have regulated themselves beautifully.

As much as I’ve tried, I’m not real fussed with Stevia – I don’t like the after taste – I’d rather learn to go without sugar (which I can easily do when I eat simple foods. It’s when I play with flavours that I end up having problems with “looking for something sweet” - and then I've got a REAL sweet tooth). And now if I’m looking for something to eat, I’ll head for protein first and usually that other feeling goes away. The only time I’ll go for sweet is when TOM is due and so I look to natural sweet in fruit like an orange, apple, pitted dates or banana and that seems to get rid of the craving.

I’m not sure what the go is with eggs, but they always make me have smelly burps, and beans (no matter how I cook them) make me burp in my shorts :-0 !!! Not good personally or socially, so I don’t do beans unless I have to because they obviously don’t agree with me.

But I really like the idea of "Just Whites" dehydrated egg whites to use in a shake and so I’ll look into this more – whey, because it is based on milk I guess, makes me really mucusy and so it’s best if I steer clear of it.


Holly - Thanks for the book reference – I’ll check it out shortly.

Do y’know? All this food stuff sounds so hard and complicated, but I am really so surprised because it is actually quite simple for me now. Because I simplified my life last November, I must have simplified more than my outer world – it seems my inner world has become more simplified as well and my tastes have adjusted to accommodate this new lifestyle – I guess a simply gorgeous body will be following shortly!! How wonderful to know this! :-)

OK then guys, that's more than enough about me. Have yourselves a really fantastic day and I wish you all the best with your personal journeys – I hope the sun shines on you at least once today :-)

Until next time,

Kind Regards,

Joy.
:flowerforyou:

PS - Has anyone got a great recipe for a lo-cal, chemical free, dairy, gluten, caffeine, sugar free biscuit or slice that tastes yum?

cutmd

JoyElizabeth, if you start slow and gradually increase eggs and beans, those burps should go away. It's just your body adjusting to the digestion. I used to have the same problem, now I can eat a huge bowl of beans fearlessly

Off topic: Crunchy maple surprise is the best cereal ever - gluten free or otherwise. Soooo good, low sugar, and organic, too. If you are gluten free but not low carb you gotta try it, y'all

julialee

Hi everyone! My name is Julie. I'm new to MFP. I was diagnosed as Celiac a year ago, and have been very very strict with being GF since. Looking back, I realize I've been Celiac my whole life...it just took a long time to get bad enough for anyone to test for it.

I'm interested in how many of you talk about losing weight when you stopped gluten intake. I was told by my GI doc that I would gain weight...and boy, was he right. I guess I was eating way too much before and nothing was getting processed correctly--I immediately gained 20 lbs within a few months. My doc also told me that within 6 months my metabolism would even out. This hasn't been the case at all!! I still struggle with everything I eat...and my body continues to act like I'm starving it... it saves every morsel. This may be coupled with the fact that I'm being treated for ulcers/h pylori (and that I've spent the last 2 months vomiting constantly--I did lose about 10 lbs due to this, and I've gained 2 back since then).

I'm currently eating around 1200 calories per day. I realize this isn't much...but it seems I have to stay that low to prevent weight gain.

Any tips for turning your metabolism around? Did anyone else GAIN a lot of weight when you went GF?

cutmd

Hi Julie:

I think the difference you are seeing is that few of us here have celiac disease, but many of us are gluten intolerant. While the average celiac loses weight due to malabsorption and abdominal discomfort, many gluten intolerant people undergo water retention and bloating, as well as possible insulin aberrancies that makes them gain weight. That's why you often see one group gain and the other lose.

I think your metabolism is shot as you say. If you are not lifting weights, start doing something like Jillian Michaels's 30 day shred. Also, read these articles. They are written for the figure athlete group but the same principles apply:

http://figureathlete.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/diet_and_nutrition/the_metabolism_repair_plan
http://www.burnthefat.com/slow-metabolism-problems.html

I guess I will also throw in the obligatory, "get your thyroid checked"

Hope that helps :flowerforyou:

cutmd

Here is great post from another thread on metabolism:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

Ryhenblue

I'm not allergic to anything I know of, but I find that most of the gluten free products I buy taste great. I picked up some quinoa since it's a complete protein and can be used in place of rice and couscous. This stuff is great and I'm really sad I never knew about this wonderful grain sooner. I liked it so much, I bought Crunchmaster Crackers that has quinoa in it and ordered quinoa pasta off of Amazon. I've always preferred the taste of whole grains over whole wheat and I'm glad the food industry has noticed that there is a big market for gluten free products. Another food I wish I'd known about earlier is Almond Milk. I know it's new to the mass market but I know it's been around for a long time.

julialee

CutMD--these articles are fantastic! You've been a huge help already! I've got an extra challenge, but I'm up for it!

Thanks so much!

CardioRS

Does anyone know - I had a discussion with a gal from church about maltodextrin. Now realizing I quit buying products with this ingredient some time ago because I was told it was made from wheat, I completely cut it out. While at a barbecue yesterday, "Sheri" told me that it is not a gluten product. I did some research on line, but am hopeful someone out there is better educated on this than I am. It appears that in the US that maltodextrin is primarily made from corn, but in Europe it is made from wheat. However, the information I found indicates that because of the "process used to manufacture" maltodextrin, the gluten is removed. Help! How? :noway: (Where is the science?) It can be made from wheat. Is this accurate? I'm not trusting this information that you can remove it at this point.

Thanks in advance! :flowerforyou:

cutmd

It is gluten free, but is a sign of a highly processed food:

http://www.glutenfreeliving.com/ingredient.php#maltodextrin

http://www.grainprocessing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=112

you can eat it

yvonneh

Julie,

Stick with it. I gained about 20 pounds, too, when I cut out the gluten, and it has stuck around for a year and a half. I got bummed and starting sneaking gluten back in here and there, which didn't make me lose either. Only now am I finally starting to lose weight. I didn't start to lose until I also cut out casien, the protein found in milk, and cut out most of the processed sugar. I've started seeing and acupuncturist as well. She's the one who told me to cut out the casein & sugar, as their was systemic inflammation in my body due to my digestion being compromised. From what I've read, it is possible the gluten had damaged my digestive system and thus other foods were not being digested properly. I may be able to eat a little casein every so often once I'm healed. After a month, the great news is that some chronic pains in my shoulder and hip are getting better, and I was even able to run some without pain. I've also found hot yoga helps the body to detox and my digestion feels better afterwards.

I was depressed at first when she told me to cut out even more of my favorite foods, but I've found some great gluten/casein free cookbooks lately. The Almond Flour Cookbook, the Spunky Coconut, and the Gluten Free Vegan (I'm not vegan, but the recipes are great!) all have some delicious ideas. I made bread last night and it was so good to have "real" textured bread again! I'm eating whole foods by default, since I have to cook most everything myself. But I find I enjoy it, like I'm taking care of myself, plus I'm starting to feel better and lighter.

CutMD - Thanks for the links to the articles!

islandnutshel

Found you, Same thing, I have was posting for celiacs and then found this stream. Feels good to have company. I have been wheat sensitive since I can remember, never ate my school sandwiches. But it took another 15 year of a love / hate relationship with food to understand that it wasn't just baked goods, but soy sauce, soup bases, Rye, malt..... those little things counted.
In the meantime, I lost my gallbladder to the disease. (from losing weight to quickly) Funny problem to look back on now that I should lose 50ish. Finally, diagnosed from symptoms because having been of wheat so long, biopsy's don't work. Also igA defficiant, blood tests don't work. Love, Love, Love how I feel now, out of my brain fog, bloating and cramping gone, energy back.
This is how NORMAL FEELS!!! So to all those still figuring it out. Keep up the effort. It get's easier, and you'll not even crave those big doughy cinnamon buns.
Shel

islandnutshel

Found you, Same thing, I have was posting for celiacs and then found this stream. Feels good to have company. I have been wheat sensitive since I can remember, never ate my school sandwiches. But it took another 15 year of a love / hate relationship with food to understand that it wasn't just baked goods, but soy sauce, soup bases, Rye, malt..... those little things counted.
In the meantime, I lost my gallbladder to the disease. (from losing weight to quickly) Funny problem to look back on now that I should lose 50ish. Finally, diagnosed from symptoms because having been of wheat so long, biopsy's don't work. Also igA defficiant, blood tests don't work. Love, Love, Love how I feel now, out of my brain fog, bloating and cramping gone, energy back.
This is how NORMAL FEELS!!! So to all those still figuring it out. Keep up the effort. It get's easier, and you'll not even crave those big doughy cinnamon buns.
Shel

tigersgirl

I am not celiac however my boyfriend is along with dairy, yeast and soy intolerant. We have been eating cleanly for about 2 months now and it has made a huge difference. I was just wondering if anyone has any websites to search for cost effective gluten free products? I checked amazon.com and found some items but they did not have a big selection. We live in a smaller area of Michigan and do not have access to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's that I see everyone talk about. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

islandnutshel

Think about what you go through made me very grateful to have a local restaurant that features true gluten free food, including separate cooking utensils. There is nothing like having a place to go that I don't trust. No matter how careful I explain an order at other restaurants they do something stupid like add pancake mix to their omlettes to make them fluffy. Why did I bother saying gluten free, no wheat, mixed spices, sauces.... Sorry for the rant

nicolee516

Found you, Same thing, I have was posting for celiacs and then found this stream. Feels good to have company. I have been wheat sensitive since I can remember, never ate my school sandwiches. But it took another 15 year of a love / hate relationship with food to understand that it wasn't just baked goods, but soy sauce, soup bases, Rye, malt..... those little things counted.
In the meantime, I lost my gallbladder to the disease. (from losing weight to quickly) Funny problem to look back on now that I should lose 50ish. Finally, diagnosed from symptoms because having been of wheat so long, biopsy's don't work. Also igA defficiant, blood tests don't work. Love, Love, Love how I feel now, out of my brain fog, bloating and cramping gone, energy back.
This is how NORMAL FEELS!!! So to all those still figuring it out. Keep up the effort. It get's easier, and you'll not even crave those big doughy cinnamon buns.
Shel

Welcome!

CardioRS

I am not celiac however my boyfriend is along with dairy, yeast and soy intolerant. We have been eating cleanly for about 2 months now and it has made a huge difference. I was just wondering if anyone has any websites to search for cost effective gluten free products? I checked amazon.com and found some items but they did not have a big selection. We live in a smaller area of Michigan and do not have access to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's that I see everyone talk about. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

We have Azure Standard delivery here to our school ($500 monthly gets free s/h as a group of moms), but I think they do UPS deliveries as well. If they won't ship to your area, ask if they can refer you to someone in your area. We have had the best things come from here. Good luck and here 'ya go:

http://www.azurestandard.com/

leavinglasvegas

Thanks for that link Cardio. I ordered a cataloge.

tigersgirl- Can I ask where you are in Michigan? I am as well, maybe I know of someplace you can go.... I was just up in Tawas for the weekend and found a health food store, lol. I never expected that, lol. Normally people up there give me a special look when it comes to my eating. :huh: A vegan amongst a town of hunters:noway: Sometimes I don't think I'll make it home without being force fed fresh game:sick: :laugh:

tigersgirl

Thanks CardioRS-- I will check out that site.
WannabeCullen- I am from Lansing Area, work in GR. My BF's family has a cottage in Tawas- I cant believe they have a health store now- its been a few years since we have been up there. We also go towards Detroit alot, so we could also my a stop on the way to. We did find a book from Cecelia's Market that shows different products that are GF, casein, dairy and soy free and that should help out more at the regular grocery store.

CardioRS

I haven't weighed in, but I am definitely losing inches! :flowerforyou: If feels amazing! I have been gluten free now for about 3 months and was originally told to not work out the 1st two months I was dispensing of gluten. The last couple of weeks I it it hard at the gym and lost 7.5 inches last week. Woohoo! I don't know if my weight is down and really don't care right now. I noticed the distended abdomen and the general swelling went away about 4 weeks ago, so it seems these "inches" is probably related to feeling SOOOOO much better and actually being able to hit the gym every day (sometimes twice). Its very much like my pre-surgery days (surgery was 7/1/09) when I was not having gluten issues. Some days it seems so weird feeling energized and being able to feel "normal" again; it is almost euphoric right now. :drinker:

leavinglasvegas

Cardio- I know what you mean! Sometimes I have to pinch myself because feeling well is just so foriegn to me. I think about all the times I thought I felt well, and it doesn't even hold a candle to now!

tigersgirl- There are 2 Better Health Markets in Lansing. I LOVE Better Health Market! From the listings, they both have groceries and the vitamin shop, and it looks like one of them has a cafe.... Never seen that, but how cool! I buy about a third of my groceries from them each month. They have a nice gluten free selection and will order whatever you want if they don't have it. The market in Sterling Heights host movie niights. They recently showed Food Inc. and served non-gmo popcorn and had a discussion afterwards. I love this place! Anyway, hope that helps some.

BetterHealth Market of Lansing
6235 West Saginaw
Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-323-9186
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
View Map & Directions

BetterHealth Market of Lansing
305 N. Clippert Ave.
Lansing, MI 48912
Phone: 517-332-6892
Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm
View Map & Directions
Café Menu Big
Café Menu TAke-out

iRun4wine

Cardio-
That's interesting that you were told not to workout when you had just started being gluten free- was it a doctor, or a nutritionist, that told you that? I was never told that, but certainly had days at the beginning when I just felt like crap. Glad you're feeling better :flowerforyou: It's amazing, isn't it? :bigsmile:

tigersgirl

Thanks wannabecullen- I actually live down the road from the Better Health Store on Saginaw- I just realized their selection on GF food when I was looking for GF/DF/SF gum this past weekend. I signed up for the saver card as you get coupons in the mail and I love to save where I can

CardioRS

Cardio-
That's interesting that you were told not to workout when you had just started being gluten free- was it a doctor, or a nutritionist, that told you that? I was never told that, but certainly had days at the beginning when I just felt like crap. Glad you're feeling better :flowerforyou: It's amazing, isn't it? :bigsmile:

I was actually told by a friend (who is studying to be a Naturopath). In her reading, she came across it and she experienced the same thing - an actual desire to not add activity in as well. Crazy!?! Seems to be working, because I feel great.

On a side note, my hubby found that his favorite local cutlery shop is now having a day, once a week, where they are doing ALL GLUTEN FREE BAKING. Wow! He brought me home a sampler and I fell in love with it. He also brought me home a loaf of this beautiful bread. It was wonderful! What a stud, he is! Sure is nice to see our cause becoming more widely accepted.

TropicalKitty

Hi all!

My name is Jessy and I am so thrilled to have found this thread. I've only read the first few posts, but already think that this is a great place for me! I'll give you a bit of my story. I've always been overweight and my family lives off of carbs. Cake, cookies, bread, pasta, beer, pizza. (All so yummy and naughty!) I never thought much of what they were doing to me, other than the obvious fat result. Well, several years ago I tried South Beach diet and when I went to add bread back into my diet I bloated right back up. Fast forward to now, my tummy has been so irritated I can't take it anymore. I feel like I've lost my life. I'm afraid to go out because I don't know if I'll have to run to the WC, being bloaty and gassy, not to mention just feeling icky. As I thought about it, I've had what we're told we should have: whole wheat and wheat products! This past weekend, I decided to cut bread/wheat out of my diet as much as possible (curse hidden additives!) and have noted a huge difference. I'm not irritated and bloaty! My nutritional coach has given me a more detailed plan for an elimination diet, so your recipes and product suggestions on here are going to be of great utility in the next week and probably longer as I really am feeling fantastic so far sans wheat.

So, kelynn, thank you for starting this thread! And thank you to the rest of you who have joined and kept this going!

Jessy

nicolee516

So I thought my post came through, but obviously not!:explode:
Welcome Tropical Kitty!


Here it is again! I tried the red Bridge GF beer and I like the New Grist better out of the 2. I think I am going to try to make my own GF beer this summer.

I made GF, Soy, Corn, Dairy,and Nut free marshmallows and graham crackers yesterday and they taste awesome!!!!! we are going ot have s'mores this weekend! YAY!!!! I got it from the Enjoy Life's Cookies for Everyone recipe book I just picked up a couple of weeks ago.

leavinglasvegas

Welcome tropical kitty! I did the South Beach Diet too. I would stay on phase 1 for 4-6 weeks, but as soon as I shifted to phase 2 I bloated right up. I know exactly what you mean!

Nicolee516- I bought 2 six packs of Red Bridge for Memorial weekend. Then my doctor told me no alcohol.:grumble: So they are just sitting here. Would you say if I haven't had any beer for a year, I won't really notice much of a change when I finally get to drink it? (I tried to return it to Whole Foods, but Michigan law doesn't allow them to accept returns for alcohol.)

nicolee516

Holly- I think it will taste good to you!:flowerforyou: I have always been rather particular with my beer. I prefer IPA's because they have the nice hop hit. Neither one of those beers have that, so I am just going by which is slightly more appealing to me. I think if I hadn't had a beer in a year, it wouldn't matter so much!