Going Gluten-Free

I was diagnosed celiac 7 years ago. I gained a lot of weight tasting all the gluten free products. Then I realized that my body had warned me once to eat right. Gluten free junk food is still just junk. Now I just eat meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts. period. So simple. Doesn't need a name. Its just food, straight up. Good healthy non processed food. Can't go wrong with that. So simple. All that extra weight is gone and I have a ton of energy.

I went gluten free last February due to having problems with pain, headaches and inflammation. My doctors tried to tell me I had pcos at the time, but I had no cysts and my hormone levels were normal. Going gluten free fixed the problems I was having within a week.

As far as cooking goes, I love making soups in the winter. Its easy to get a ton of good for you veggies in them and some protein either with beans or chicken/beef or both. I made one today with kale, cabbage, mixed veggies and black beans in a crushed tomato broth that has 150 calories per serving yet is really filling. Each serving fills a normal cereal bowl. Salads are great in the summer. Spring mix or spinnach with canned chicken, sliced almonds and some apple and homemade dressing.

For other meals I usually skip the grains, but when I do use something that would have previously had gluten I have found some good substitutes.
-Black Bean Pasta tastes good. Just don't look at it. It looks like worms. I purchase mine at costco.
-GF noodles are good, just make them according to package instructions. Big Lots has tons for cheap.
-GF bread by gluteno is good. Just expensive and watch the carbs as it is rice based.
-GF Chex is delicious. Watch the sugar and carbs.

Gluten is hiding in some odd places. Watch labels on store bought soups, soy sauce, chili, marinades, seasoning mixes, etc. Looking for beef stew seasoning the other day I saw McCormicks slow cooker beef stew seasoning contains wheat.

Good luck!

neanderthin wrote: »

GaleHawkins wrote: »

When I cut out the carbs and went high fat my IBS when away. The doctors can fight over the terms but when we find a way back to health that works for us with Celiac or Celiac like symptoms we are happy.

Self proclaimes feels better after not stuffing face, with food, loses weight and now you've eliminated your IBS....mind boggling and also proclaims peoples Celiac symptoms will subside with low carb.....you are simply a sage of information.

Thanks for your kind words.

Good luck with the change! You'll be amazed at how much healthier you feel when you go gluten-free (if you have intolerance or celiac's). You'll still have cravings (if only knowing it was bad for you made it taste bad, right?), but you'll find that the longer you stay gluten-free, the cravings and need to eat some gluteny food you used to love.... those times will become less and less frequent. And the times you "fall off the wagon" will make it very clear how much your body is affected by your food choices. You'll start directly associating those immediate consequences with consuming gluten and then avoiding gluten will become so much easier.

Find a few treats that are gluten-free, so you won't cave and have a muffin or a bagel or whatever gluteny food it is that you love. Endangered Species brand chocolate bars have a lot of gluten-free options. Lara-bars are delicious (and also vegan and kosher) and can really fill that candy bar void. The makers of Lara-Bars also make a granola (Re-Nola) that is completely grain-free (nuts, seeds and dried fruits) that is absolutely delicious.

Good luck! It's a major change, but it's so very worth it!!

My son is GF and I try my very best to eat completely GF was well (makes life easy. No need to cook 2 meals) Corn pasta or quiona pasta tastes way better than rice pasta. Udis bread is okay but it's not "the same". We eat a lot of corn tortillas and use them to make corn chips.

If you have a wood cutting board or wood utensils I would replace them as the gluten molecules can stay attached to the wood even after washing.
Also check your laundry detergent (yes there is gluten in some laundry soaps)

Make sure you read labels as there is hidden gluten in a lot of things. Also beware of cross contamination of your foods. Make sure that if you go to a restaurant you ask how they prepare certain things. For instance if you get french fries ask if they are fried in the same oil that the breaded chicken is fried in. If it is then it's a no-go.

I am not 100% gluten free, although I don't eat a ton of pastas and much bread (breads were usually consumed when I would go out to dinner) but I am more mindful of the hidden gluten in foods due to having a relative with celiacs.