Celiac/gluten free nutrition/weight loss

MessyLittlePanda
MessyLittlePanda Posts: 213 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Any celiacs (or anyone who has to be gluten free really) on here and trying to lose weight/get fit/eat better?

I was diagnosed in January this year with celiac disease and gluten ataxia so I absolutely have to avoid it. I found the emphasis when I was first diagnosed was on all the gluten free substitutes, which are often high in sugar/fat (to compensate for the lack of gluten and mimic the taste of "real" products" and they are quite expensive and high calorie.

When I first was diagnosed weight came off quite quickly - about 10lb. But then it started to creep back on again. I'm having some success now but finding it quite difficult particularly because I do a lot of cycling, to get foods that keep me going for long periods and avoid snacking, and also to try and avoid too many substitute foods. Having a lot of dairy or pulses also upsets my stomach which is quite sensitive, probably still healing from the gluten damage over all the years I went undiagnosed (I'd been ill for a few years before it was found).

Any good tips for celiac weight loss greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • purplegoboom
    purplegoboom Posts: 400 Member
    Do you have any problems with dairy? I know I, and alot of other celiacs, also have troubles digesting dairy. If you think dairy might also be giving you problems, cut that out for awhile and see how you feel. I know I get insanely bloated and sick when I consume dairy.

    I also know I started feeling a bit better when I added in a good multivitamin and started taking a probiotic in the morning before eating anything. (I take GNC Women's Ultra Mega and Cullturelle) Since your digestive system is still healing, it may be worth talking to your doctor about starting a probiotic, which will reintroduce good bacteria into your digestive system.

    I don't tend to eat "replacement" foods either (IE: gluten free cookies, breads, etc) because more often than not they're full of sugar and sodium. Even some of the "good" gluten free baking mixes are insanely high in sodium. I'm trying to lower my carbs, anyway, so the only carbs I eat are from veggies, fruits, and almond milk.

    To be successful at losing weight, you need to get your digestive system in fighting shape first.
  • MessyLittlePanda
    MessyLittlePanda Posts: 213 Member
    Hey, thanks for the input :)

    I do take probiotics and they seem to help a bit. I definitely have problems with dairy - I do eat some, but not large amounts, I seem to be OK with a bit of hard cheese or yogurt, but milk, cream, ice cream and that stuff makes me sick and bloated. I take B vitamins and magnesium supplements on advice from the dietitian - my B12 is pretty much normal now, I was deficient in that along with iron pre-diagnosis.

    I was over weight pre diagnosis so was continually told that I couldn't be celiac as celiacs are underweight, but that is a myth apparently. I have been left with symptoms that are kind of like IBS really. Perhaps it will take time for those to go.

    How have you found reducing carbs?
  • kelmconrad
    kelmconrad Posts: 4
    Hi

    I am also a celiac/gluten allergy person over here.

    I found out last year in June after years of agony. Just like you, initially I dropped a bit of weight. But since I had already packed on about 15 lbs to my ultimate healthy weight things just spiraled after that. I ended up eating things that were not good for me (extra cheese, extra fat, I don't know) and then ended up getting up to 164 lbs. I am down 15 lbs. I have tried going off the dairy and it doesn't really make a difference.

    I find that since I've been on this diet a bit, I have been a bit gassy, but apparently that's normal while your body is finding ways to get rid of the weight.

    I have reduced carbs somewhat, but not how some diets would suggest. I am a firm believer that yes, they WILL make you lose weight faster if you stop them but the second you have them again? You will put it right back on.

    I find that I feel better right now than I have in years. I am down 15 lbs (half way there) and am eating tons of fruits and vegetables and good proteins (fish, nuts, chicken, turkey) and yes, I would say I am not eating as many carbs.

    What is your general diet? Or are you just counting calories and kind of seeing how it pans out?
  • MessyLittlePanda
    MessyLittlePanda Posts: 213 Member
    My general diet is mostly based on lean meat, fish, veg and fruit and I do eat some grain based things like rice, quinoa and the odd bit of GF pasta, GF oats or muesli at breakfast unless I have cycled to work - if I've done that I have a protein based breakfast like eggs. I am counting calories, but I do a fair bit of cycling especially mountain biking, so my calories are set to 1800. I tried the 1200 calorie thing but felt hideous and couldn't cope with long rides. Since I upped the calories my performance is better. Because I'm entering a race in September, my priority is performance, fitness, and endurance, but I'd still like to shed a few extra lbs. I don't like flab in my cycling gear!

    Funny you should say about the gas - I've been finding that lately, never thought it might be related to weight shedding. A positive side to gassiness maybe!

    Being very active, I can't low carb. I eat less starchy carbs on days I don't cycle though. But there seems to be a correlation for some celiac people in too many grains and bad digestive symptoms
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