Entirely grain free

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Is anyone here not just gluten free, but entirely grain free? I'm considering it!
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  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    I am grain free. Diary is open.
  • jsam163
    jsam163 Posts: 9
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    How long did it take you to notice a difference? Do you find a difference in your energy levels? I have been gluten free for a little over three months now, and this past month has been great. The more I read, the more I am being convinced that all grains should go... I think I'll stick with the dairy, but the less processed kinds of dairy.
  • lesliev523
    lesliev523 Posts: 368 Member
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    I am gluten free and now am corn free..... which really bummed me out because I liked my corn tortillas!

    I cannot eat any "gluten free" substitutes because I have found I get really sick.... so I guess I am just eating meat, fruits, and veggies...

    I started feeling better about a month after I went gluten free....
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    I still have other food issues that I am sorting out as well, so not feeling 100% yet. I would say about a month before I noticed an improvement being grain free, as opposed to just gluten free.
  • lsgmsu1
    lsgmsu1 Posts: 13 Member
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    You should really read Wheat Belly. It convinced me to go grain free. I had corn tortillas on vacation and was sick for a week afterwards. I had rice once and was fine but because of the carbs I don't eat it much.
  • jsam163
    jsam163 Posts: 9
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    Thanks, I will! I have a gut feeling (pun not so intentional..) that I should go entirely grain free, or at least mostly. But I am looking for good literature to back it up. So I'll look into that, thanks!
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
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    I remember reading that rice is the only grain considered to by non allergic. That's why they put it in dog foods as it's supposedly safe. I know it's the only grain I tolerate easily. The other option is Tapioca (cassava/yuca) and making Spanish breads like Pandebono, Bunuelos, or others that don't include wheat - but they are based on using lots and lots of cheese - sometimes they have a small amount of corn.

    I've never tried going totally grain free but it may be you need to see if the product is produced in a factory where no accidental mixing occurs. I did find out from my allergist that I have a slight allergy to corn so I don't put it in too often but I haven't eliminated it. My problem is that if you're avoiding grains, you'd be eating potato all of the time as your carb and I had a girlfriend who gained a ton of weight that way. Have you ever been tested for allergies as well as Celiacs? You could have both.

    I just found this link. The only ingredient I totally disagree with is Quinoa. It may be grain free but I actually had a severe reaction to it which makes me wonder about that one. I can tell you though that you'll find that most of the grain free items they have make horrible breads. I've tried and most were horrifying when they were bean based. I just couldn't do it. I'd rather eat rice than go that route. You can do the Spanish breads but they are heavy in cheese (Farmers Cheese) but at least they do taste good. I've made them out of desperation and it stops my craving.

    http://www.grainfreeliving.com/info/list-of-grain-and-grain-free-foods
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
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    FYI - Corn tortillas (if on vacation) are sometimes made with wheat. I've read a variety of recipes and not all are wheat free. There's the problem of cross grains in the kitchen as well. That's about the only problem I have with vacations, I always end up with a reaction to my wheat allergy because it's difficult to really get wheat free unless you go grain free while on vacation which is a nightmare. Trust me - I've carried instant rice on vacations for this reason along OR packed my own tortillas. Sigh.
  • JaceyMarieS
    JaceyMarieS Posts: 692 Member
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    I am grain - free. Between the intolerances (wheat and corn among others) and diabetes (gotta watch the carbs), it was just easier to remove all grains from my life.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    The flours that I use for most of my baking are buckwheat and tapioca. I don't use much quinoa flour, because I find it tends to overpower baked goods. I don't use any cheese or other dairy. I do eat quinoa instead of rice a couple of times a week. Of course you can still react to it even though it is not a grain. I react to a lot of other foods that are not grains too (almond, pineapple, dates, etc.) But it is not a member of the grass family.

    The starches that I consume the most are buckwheat, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. You're not going to gain a bunch of weight on potatoes unless you are topping them with high-fat/high-calorie toppings. I often top mine with curry, beans, tomato sauce, etc. Or just a bit of salt and pepper.

    I really didn't want to give up rice, but it has been good for me. It is definitely worth it for me not to have autoimmune symptoms.
    I remember reading that rice is the only grain considered to by non allergic. That's why they put it in dog foods as it's supposedly safe. I know it's the only grain I tolerate easily. The other option is Tapioca (cassava/yuca) and making Spanish breads like Pandebono, Bunuelos, or others that don't include wheat - but they are based on using lots and lots of cheese - sometimes they have a small amount of corn.

    I've never tried going totally grain free but it may be you need to see if the product is produced in a factory where no accidental mixing occurs. I did find out from my allergist that I have a slight allergy to corn so I don't put it in too often but I haven't eliminated it. My problem is that if you're avoiding grains, you'd be eating potato all of the time as your carb and I had a girlfriend who gained a ton of weight that way. Have you ever been tested for allergies as well as Celiacs? You could have both.

    I just found this link. The only ingredient I totally disagree with is Quinoa. It may be grain free but I actually had a severe reaction to it which makes me wonder about that one. I can tell you though that you'll find that most of the grain free items they have make horrible breads. I've tried and most were horrifying when they were bean based. I just couldn't do it. I'd rather eat rice than go that route. You can do the Spanish breads but they are heavy in cheese (Farmers Cheese) but at least they do taste good. I've made them out of desperation and it stops my craving.

    http://www.grainfreeliving.com/info/list-of-grain-and-grain-free-foods
  • staceybrewer
    staceybrewer Posts: 36 Member
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    I try to stay grain free. My daughter is completely grain free... She is also dairy free, allergic to eggs, all nuts, and many other things. It is the hardest thing ever!
    What I know is that it helps her and I feel better if I eat no grain whatsoever. So, I try my best.
  • staceybrewer
    staceybrewer Posts: 36 Member
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    I felt better within days of going grain free! It is such a difference.
  • evajg
    evajg Posts: 38 Member
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    Grain free is usually know as the paleo or primal lifestyle....
    It's a diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, free range natural fed poultry, wild caught fish, lead grass fed red meat, free range eggs. Some do dairy products, some do not.
    Some do eat quinoa and brown rice, but sparingly. All foods are as fresh, natural and organic as possible. Clean eating.
    I've been trying....but it's been hard. I have had a few slip ups, but I do feel lots better, less bloated without the breads and the grains.
  • dovek11
    dovek11 Posts: 94 Member
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    I am totally grain free. After finding I was gluten/corn/soy intolerant, I decided why bother with any grain. Regardless what the food pyramid or advertising tells us, you do NOT need grain in your diet to survive.
    Honestly, I don't miss 'grain' things. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful I feel without it!!!!

    If you can tolerate nuts, and have to have 'baked items' you can find recipes that take nut flours. Just search the net, there are many many recipes out there.

    And, if its carbs you think you need, there are carbs in foods other than potatoes. :) Legumes, fruit, green peas, etc.....
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    You can be grain free without being paleo or primal, too. I am vegetarian - currently vegan - and grain free, and allergic to some nuts and other goodies. Vegan raw food diets are mostly grain free, unless you are eating sprouted or fermented grains. (I am not a raw foodist.) We are so lucky to have such a wide variety of foods available to us.
    Grain free is usually know as the paleo or primal lifestyle....
    It's a diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, free range natural fed poultry, wild caught fish, lead grass fed red meat, free range eggs. Some do dairy products, some do not.
    Some do eat quinoa and brown rice, but sparingly. All foods are as fresh, natural and organic as possible. Clean eating.
    I've been trying....but it's been hard. I have had a few slip ups, but I do feel lots better, less bloated without the breads and the grains.
  • kajpen
    kajpen Posts: 120 Member
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    I'm grain free (except for the occasional gluten free oatmeal). I find that most grains hurt my tummy so I just stay away from them.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    Have you tried buckwheat porridge? Either coarse-ground groats or buckwheat flakes - very nice substitute for oatmeal.
    I'm grain free (except for the occasional gluten free oatmeal). I find that most grains hurt my tummy so I just stay away from them.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    Since there didn't seem to be a grain-free group on MFP (plenty of gluten-free or paleo, but those won't necessarily suit those who are grain free) I have created one:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8298-grain-free

    Come on over and share your tips and favourite grain-free recipes.
  • EccentricDad
    EccentricDad Posts: 875 Member
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    Is anyone here not just gluten free, but entirely grain free? I'm considering it!

    I was grain free for a long time but recently I've been exploring quinoa, corn, and rice. I have been wheat, rye, and barley clean for 5.5 months though and now I'm adding oats to the list of AVOID as well.
  • AmyMoenae
    AmyMoenae Posts: 21 Member
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    I have been gluten free since January 2011. But still wasn't feeling 100% so I started eliminating the grains too. I find that I can tolerate rice well, but not corn or potatoes. Anyone else? I feel good when I am off of these. I have begun eliminating dairy except for aged cheeses and most sugars. My specialist wants me to take steroids for my Crohn's disease but I am finding that I feel great without the meds if I stick to this diet. When I go off of it for a while I end up right back at the ER as morphine is the only thing to end the pain.

    Sorry for the long story...