Any advice on Gluten-Free?

WendyFitMomCHANGED
WendyFitMomCHANGED Posts: 311 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I had a very interesting talk with a friend of a friend who's a Nutritionist and she told me the best way to reach my goals is to remove Gluten from my diet and eat tons more veggies. I read a few articles online yesterday and today about Gluten-Free and wondered if anyone here does the same.

What do you think of it?
Do you do it for general health or allergy purposes?
What are your successes?

I am (for the most part) a clean - eater, meaning I don't eat processed foods or sugars, I don't eat red meat or pork (due to high cholestoral). I do eat whole wheat and whole grains now but not the end of the world if I do without it based on the other items you can replace it with.

I'd appreciate honest and respectful feedback please. Thanks.

Replies

  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    My friend does it, as it makes her feel awful when she eats it. She does find it to be a huge pain as it's hidden in everything. If you aren't doing it because you have a sensitivity to it, it probably isn't worth it.
  • Fit_And_Heathy_Goalie
    Fit_And_Heathy_Goalie Posts: 55 Member
    I stared by weight loss journey last summer, but wasn't seeing great results despite my attempts at eating clean. After watching a nutritionist (JJ Virgin.com) on my local PBS station in September, I decided to give "gluten-free" a try, I was amazed at how much better I felt in just a few days. My weight started to drop and the inches too. The only exception is I still enjoy Ezekiel english muffins a few days a week.

    I recently made gluten-free cornbread and it's delicious (a Bob Mill's mix) and also tried brown rice pasta and lasagna--my family and friends loved the dishes. I haven't tried baking yet, but hope to experiment more in the new year.

    Good luck!
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Wheat is more nutritious than just about anything gluten free you can buy. If you don't have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, its probably not worth the hassle.

    I'm a celiac diagnosed since 2002 and I would gladly eat it again if I could. I gained over 100 lbs eating gluten free, so its certainly not a magic potion. It really boils down to calories in vs. calories out. Best thing I bought for myself was actually a food scale, its amazing how I could underestimate portions and think I ate less than I actually did.
  • CarolAmanda
    CarolAmanda Posts: 84 Member
    If you switch to gluten free versions of foods you eat now, gluten free can expensive and unhealthy - lots of sugar, carbs, not a lot of nutrition. If you switch to veggies, fruits, nuts, lean meats, gluten free is not as complicated and can be a healthy way of eating. I find I enjoy a gluten free diet and feel great when I focus on foods that naturally do not contain gluten and save gluten free versions of treats for special occasions (gluten free birthday cake or cookies). After a few weeks, many people lose the cravings for their previous gluten favorites.

    Carol
  • nandmsmall1981
    nandmsmall1981 Posts: 1
    I just got told that a lot of my problems come from an intolerance that I have to gluten and aspertame. I have found that gluten free baked items are exteremly high in calories and that is easier to eat veggies, fruit and protien. I am still very new at this and would also benefit from any advice from seasoned GF people.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I'd question that advice coming from a nutritionist.

    Reducing wheat based products MIGHT help in losing weight. Cutting gluten out of your diet is important if you are sensitive to gluten, but is not necessarily a weight reducing plan. It's also very difficult and can be expensive.
  • bsmith404
    bsmith404 Posts: 333 Member
    Please don't go go gluten free if you don't have to. Those of us with celiac disease and gluten intolerance have to but I wouldn't eat this way if it was my choice. It's hard and at first I gained weight. Everything labeled gluten free is not healthy. I have read a ton of articles where Dr.'s are against people going gluten free unless they have to.

    Gluten Free is seen as a fad diet while those of us that have to eat this way it's nothing but a fad diet. We have to eat this way the rest of our life.

    Don't think just because you are going gluten free that you will lose weight. I must admit though, I have a ton of energy.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    Gluten free does not mean it will help lose weight neccesarily ....its only for people who cannot digest it, I agree with above poster that not everything labelled gluten fee is healthy or low in calories. I actually find gluten free products have way more calories. Gluten free is NOT a diet to lose weight. its for people who are physically ill and in pain after eating it, myself included.

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