Going Gluten-Free

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prettysenshi
prettysenshi Posts: 36 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys,

I believe I may have a gluten sensitivity, and want to start cutting out gluten from my lifestyle. I know there is a difference between the "junk" gluten-free stuff that is still high in calories/sugar, etc, and good gluten-free items. The biggest symptoms that I've been having have been being bloated and tired (for YEARS) all the time.

I don't have the money to get tested for certain (and it may not even show up), but was wondering what types of food are people eating (what they would eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).

My stomach literally has a tendency to swell up from being able to fit in my Size 14 pants, to a 16 in a matter of an hour if I eat a meal that is heavy in gluten. And it’s PAINFUL, to the point, if anything, especially clothing fabric touches my stomach, it literally makes me sick. It also takes probably half a day for the bloating and pain to go away, and then I can fit into my pants again. I also developed hypothyroidism (end of 2012, beginning of 2013), and up until that point, I was completely healthy, wasn’t on any medication at all, and now I need adderall to keep me awake during the day.

Plus, I originally lost 40 pounds, and did not lose (literally) an inch off my waist and I heard that going gluten-free can help target the belly fat? I’m realistic in what to expect, and know that going gluten-free isn’t a “diet” it’s a lifestyle, but am looking for suggestions on how to make the switch and what types of gluten-free stuff is bad and what type is good?

Replies

  • twostars
    twostars Posts: 1 Member
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    First I want to address that going gluten free does not help reduce belly fat. What it does do is allow your body to reduce the water retention required to flush gluten (which it believes are toxins) from your body. That is how the bloating in your belly is reduced. My daughter and I have been gluten free for just over a year now. She has celiac I have a sensitivity. It's really pretty simple once you figure out what contains gluten (almost everything processed) and what doesn't. We simply stick to whole foods. Protein, fruits and veggies. Occasionally we will have gluten free pasta or bread, but we eat mostly potatoes (sweet & white) and rice to replace carbs as well as corn tortillas.

    If you are highly sensitive, you may find eating out difficult due to cross contamination in the kitchens. but there are apps out there that can help find gluten free/friendly restaurants and that also help you figure out which items in the grocery store are gluten free.

    If you have questions feel free to message me. I'm no expert, but I've discovered a lot in the last year and am more than happy to share what little knowledge I do have. :)

    Almost forgot. You may also want to look into the paleo diet as it is a gluten free diet and you can get some great recipes all over the internet.
  • catsandtats
    catsandtats Posts: 29 Member
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    I had many of your symptoms (painful, intense bloating so much so that I looked pregnant) for a long time. After a lot of testing and such, it turned out that I didn't have celiac...just garden variety IBS (which has no particular treatment). My doctor encouraged me to 1) take a probiotic and 2) eat what makes me feel the best and try an elimination diet to find out possible culprits.

    As it turned out, large amounts of gluten and certain vegetables really do it for me. You might want to see if there's other foods that could be upsetting you. You can find online a list of common foods that people don't tolerate well. You can do an elimination diet (not calorie restricting, just restricting certain food groups) and slowly introduce groups of foods to see what your triggers are.

    I don't personally think that not eating gluten has helped with reducing belly fat in my case. Honestly, reducing my carbohydrates generally speaking showed me the best results for leaning out (so this includes fruits, veggies, beans, etc). But in the end, only a calorie deficit combined with proper nutrition and exercise can blast fat. But eliminating could relieve a lot of your bloating discomfort from gas and water retention (as stated above).

    My rule of thumb when it comes to GF eating is basically just to avoid all processed products. I do a lot of brown rice, quinoa, root veggies, etc. If I'm in a restaurant setting, I'll just order a protein and a veggie. Again, I'm not highly sensitive, but lots of it (like a bowl of pasta) will do me in.

    Going gluten-free has not been, in my experience, the sort of nirvana-type experience some people say it is. I'm still tired often (I'm a grad student, maybe that has something to do with it, haha!). I still have to work hard in the gym and count my calories and macros to stay lean. My skin isn't soft as a baby's butt, although it did clear up. I suspect, however, that this is not from going GF, but my general avoidance of junk food. Staying lean and un-bloated were really great motivators to clean up my diet, though!

    I think that's all I've got for now, but feel free to add me. I love to share recipes! :)
  • prettysenshi
    prettysenshi Posts: 36 Member
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    Thanks, I don't think its IBS. I have been going gluten-free today, eating nothing that contains gluten, and I haven't been bloated or my stomach painful, which allows me to believe that I have a sensitivity to it.
  • hipsdontlie1
    hipsdontlie1 Posts: 294 Member
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    I've been doing gluten free for about 2 weeks now and am going for an intolerance test in May. I eat a lot of eggs, meat, cheese, salads, beans, quinoa, rice, veggies, fruit, corn pasta, rice tortillas... I really enjoy cooking so I don't buy alot of the prepackaged foods. The only real prepackaged foods I will buy are gluten free bread, amys burritos (for the old lunch), gluten free crackers & chips!
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
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    Go to an allergist and get tested.
  • prettysenshi
    prettysenshi Posts: 36 Member
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    Go to an allergist and get tested.

    Unless you have celiac disease, from what I understand, gluten intolerance does not show up on the test unless it's severe. And I would have just wasted 70 dollars (20 for my PCP for a referral, and 50 co-pay for the specialists).

    One way to know for certain is to go gluten free for so many weeks and then start reintroducing it back into your system. If you have the same symptoms, then you are sensitive to it.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
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    Hey guys,

    I believe I may have a gluten sensitivity, and want to start cutting out gluten from my lifestyle. I know there is a difference between the "junk" gluten-free stuff that is still high in calories/sugar, etc, and good gluten-free items. The biggest symptoms that I've been having have been being bloated and tired (for YEARS) all the time.

    I don't have the money to get tested for certain (and it may not even show up), but was wondering what types of food are people eating (what they would eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).

    My stomach literally has a tendency to swell up from being able to fit in my Size 14 pants, to a 16 in a matter of an hour if I eat a meal that is heavy in gluten. And it’s PAINFUL, to the point, if anything, especially clothing fabric touches my stomach, it literally makes me sick. It also takes probably half a day for the bloating and pain to go away, and then I can fit into my pants again. I also developed hypothyroidism (end of 2012, beginning of 2013), and up until that point, I was completely healthy, wasn’t on any medication at all, and now I need adderall to keep me awake during the day.

    Plus, I originally lost 40 pounds, and did not lose (literally) an inch off my waist and I heard that going gluten-free can help target the belly fat? I’m realistic in what to expect, and know that going gluten-free isn’t a “diet” it’s a lifestyle, but am looking for suggestions on how to make the switch and what types of gluten-free stuff is bad and what type is good?

    Hypothyroidism is tied to gluten sensitivity.

    http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-gluten/
  • prettysenshi
    prettysenshi Posts: 36 Member
    Options
    Hey guys,

    I believe I may have a gluten sensitivity, and want to start cutting out gluten from my lifestyle. I know there is a difference between the "junk" gluten-free stuff that is still high in calories/sugar, etc, and good gluten-free items. The biggest symptoms that I've been having have been being bloated and tired (for YEARS) all the time.

    I don't have the money to get tested for certain (and it may not even show up), but was wondering what types of food are people eating (what they would eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).

    My stomach literally has a tendency to swell up from being able to fit in my Size 14 pants, to a 16 in a matter of an hour if I eat a meal that is heavy in gluten. And it’s PAINFUL, to the point, if anything, especially clothing fabric touches my stomach, it literally makes me sick. It also takes probably half a day for the bloating and pain to go away, and then I can fit into my pants again. I also developed hypothyroidism (end of 2012, beginning of 2013), and up until that point, I was completely healthy, wasn’t on any medication at all, and now I need adderall to keep me awake during the day.

    Plus, I originally lost 40 pounds, and did not lose (literally) an inch off my waist and I heard that going gluten-free can help target the belly fat? I’m realistic in what to expect, and know that going gluten-free isn’t a “diet” it’s a lifestyle, but am looking for suggestions on how to make the switch and what types of gluten-free stuff is bad and what type is good?

    Hypothyroidism is tied to gluten sensitivity.

    http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-gluten/

    Thanks, I'll take a look at it, I had no idea!
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    Options
    Hey guys,

    I believe I may have a gluten sensitivity, and want to start cutting out gluten from my lifestyle. I know there is a difference between the "junk" gluten-free stuff that is still high in calories/sugar, etc, and good gluten-free items. The biggest symptoms that I've been having have been being bloated and tired (for YEARS) all the time.

    I don't have the money to get tested for certain (and it may not even show up), but was wondering what types of food are people eating (what they would eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).

    My stomach literally has a tendency to swell up from being able to fit in my Size 14 pants, to a 16 in a matter of an hour if I eat a meal that is heavy in gluten. And it’s PAINFUL, to the point, if anything, especially clothing fabric touches my stomach, it literally makes me sick. It also takes probably half a day for the bloating and pain to go away, and then I can fit into my pants again. I also developed hypothyroidism (end of 2012, beginning of 2013), and up until that point, I was completely healthy, wasn’t on any medication at all, and now I need adderall to keep me awake during the day.

    Plus, I originally lost 40 pounds, and did not lose (literally) an inch off my waist and I heard that going gluten-free can help target the belly fat? I’m realistic in what to expect, and know that going gluten-free isn’t a “diet” it’s a lifestyle, but am looking for suggestions on how to make the switch and what types of gluten-free stuff is bad and what type is good?

    Hypothyroidism is tied to gluten sensitivity.


    Thanks, I'll take a look at it, I had no idea!
    You still won't have an idea because there are no studies cited in that biased blog.
  • ashenriver
    ashenriver Posts: 498 Member
    Options
    If you are going to get tested then do NOT stop eating gluten.

    If you stop eating gluten before the test then you will get a false negative.

    In Canada if you are diagnosed you can get income tax rebates on some of your groceries, since it is for a health condition.
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    Options
    Go to an allergist and get tested.

    Unless you have celiac disease, from what I understand, gluten intolerance does not show up on the test unless it's severe. And I would have just wasted 70 dollars (20 for my PCP for a referral, and 50 co-pay for the specialists).

    One way to know for certain is to go gluten free for so many weeks and then start reintroducing it back into your system. If you have the same symptoms, then you are sensitive to it.

    I am not a doctor, I couldn't tell you if that were true or not. I'd still get checked out.

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