Yep. I do get some symptoms when I'm eating all kinds of garbage foods, but I have no way of knowing if it's gluten, glucose, someone even suggested maybe food additives, or it could be something else. I have figured this much out on my own: Gluten makes me a glutton. And that is plenty good reason to avoid.

Doctor said I have some sort of auto immune issue, according to my bloodwork, and referred me to a specialist. He doesn't know what and I haven't been to the specialist yet.

But I know that I feel better and lose weight slightly, as well as got rid of a nasty rash when I don't eat gluten. So I am avoiding. Gluten bloats me and make me feel sluggish. I don't miss it much.

Hello, I am also not new to MFP but am new to this group and new to a gluten free lifestyle. I just started this lifestyle on Dec 31, 2013 as I am so frustrated with doctors having no answers. I suffer from joint pain, PCOS, mood disorder, sleepiness, and lack of motivation. I am only going gluten free. I still plan on still eating dairy as I love cheese and yogart. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I just started my GF lifestyle today for health reasons, but not due to Celiac. I believe I have a sensitivity or an allergy to gluten, but have not been diagnosed. I suffer from Chronic headaches, Brain fog, joint pain, abdominal pain, gas/ bloating, and a lack of energy. Along with gluten, I am also giving up caffeine and artificial sweeteners.

I am not a celiac disease sufferer, but prefer to avoid gluten as much as possible for the health benefits, I feel so much better for it and it has helped me lose around 3stone in 18months. I do have it occasionally if it is unavoidable and I don't expect others to cooked special meals, but overall I feel I can make healthier choices avoiding it.
Feel free to add for any diary sharing

I'm gluten-limited by association. The hubby has Celiac, and so I cook gluten-free exclusively at home. I do allow myself small servings of breads, etc. when out and for lunches, but can't do regular pastas frequently anymore - system's not used to it.

I follow a gluten-free diet (mostly-I do gluten myself sometimes, with bad results) because my granddaughter was diagnosed with Celiac's disease at age three and as I have researched and learned more about CD, I have come to realized that gluten has been an issue in my family for YEARS! I need to understand this disease so I can support her as she tries to navigate a lifestyle that will allow her to raise my grandchildren to be happy healthy people!
My oldest daughter, the little one's mom, was misdiagnosed in her teens (IBS), it was gluten related. Having three daughters diagnosed or suspected of having PCOS also further substantiates issues with gluten. At the very least, gluten intolerance/sensitivity has caused and continues to cause, nagging little unexplained 'things', joint aches, head aches, foggy brain, insomnia, allergies/asthma, anxiety...the list goes on and on.

I could go on, but....there are a TON of resources out there for information on how gluten affects us. I'll gladly share if asked.

Hi!


At least, it opened my eyes to start taking this diet more serious! But I still have this weird rash on my neck, that none of my doctors could figure out what it is... it's beyond annoying!

One of the other girls on here has a nasty skin condition that causes painful cysts from gluten... skin problems are definitely common with gluten sensitivity/celiac disease - I get rashes and breakout with little 'pimples' when I get glutened by mistake.
Your best bet is to try to change your style of eating - instead of substituting GF snack foods, breads, etc in the same amounts as you would usually eat of regular items, move to more whole GF 'grains,' fresh fruits & vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, tofu, etc. It's the processed prepared foods that cost so much and really don't have much nutrition. I now use only 1 loaf of GF bread a month, and have pancakes & pizza with GF crust about 1x/month each.

The closer you get to using one ingredient foods (ie: prepared by you at home - salad dressings made up of the base ingredients etc) the easier it is to stay healthy and not get glutened by mistake. Now that you did the usual "maybe I'm OK now to eat a bit of wheat/gluten" self-sabotage/discovery keep it in mind and recall it next time you are tempted by something and you feel like saying..."It probably will be OK, it probably doesn't have gluten in it." Don't give in to friends or relatives who may not totally understand yet, just to be kind or keep the peace...it's not worth your health. That said, try to be nice about it and not make it the topic of conversation every time you meet with someone. People get tired of hearing it and life is really about so much more!
Good luck!

Ive decided to go gluten free, its only been a little over 8 weeks. I have had the absolute hardest time losing weight (still am) no matter what I did or didn't do there was always something I should have been doing different. I don't eat enough, is usually one of them. but the list goes on.... I'm not eating the right foods, eating to many carbs, not working out enough. I assure you as my job is in a kitchen its non stop sweating and running around cooking cleaning burning lots of calories I'm sure. plus I have two dogs which I walk everyday. I've had many symptoms of a gluten intolerance and figured id just try to give it up to see if I would benefit from it, not only losing weight but helping my digestion and skin and sleep trouble and exhaustion, to name a few.. I cant say I've noticed this wonderful overnight my symptoms are gone, wish I did! I have to say bread was my most favorite thing to eat if I was left with a chance to only eat 1 food for the rest of my life it would be BREAD...LoL but im happy to say I crave it far less than I ever did. I think ive lost a few Lbs not many but I do feel less bloated.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm pretty lucky though - I'm on a special (sorta) diet with my gastric bypass doctors. I do 3 protein shakes a day plus 1 meal. So thankfully, I only need to worry about gluten for 1 meal right now... which makes it a bit less frustrating as a newbie! I just want this darn rash would go away.

I still feel crappy from that stupid pizza... talk about a lesson learned, for sure!!!

Hi DaisyKate: Have you checked into allergies/sensitivities to ingredients in your bariatric shakes. Very common to have problems with soy and whey and they are both used very extensively in protein drinks as they are pretty inexpensive. People with celiac disease & sometimes gluten sensitivity can have issues with dairy products as well. There are a few people on this site that must be egg, soy, and dairy free besides going gluten free. When I use a protein shake I use a vegan one that has no soy in it. I realize the bariatric shakes probably have more carbs and fats so that you can get all your nutrients in, but it might be something to check out with your docs.