[gf4life]

I do tend to gain about 5 lbs or so when I accidently get some gluten. But when I have an "accident", the least important thing on my mind is my weight! I suffer so darn bad from just the tiniest amount of gluten... Now when I am gluten free I lose weight. I've lost about 25 lbs since January! Which is a big accomplishment for me. I still have about 35 lbs. to go to my ideal weight, but it is slowly coming off! I do have to watch my sodium intake also, since too much will make me gain a few lbs (I assume its water weight!). Just try to be careful and not have too many gluten accidents. I cook almost all of my food and I try to never eat anything that I have not verified the gluten-free status of.

God bless,
Mariann

[Rikki Tikki]

Does anyone have a problem gaining weight? Initally I lost about 25 pounds and seem unable to gain weight. I am 5'7" and only weight 115 pounds. I can't seem to put the weight on. I think it may be due in part to not really liking the food I can eat. I also feel that I don't have the energy to make the foods I can have. I really miss being able to just go out and eat something, like a big juicy hamburger. Any thoughts you may have would be appreciated.

[pixiegirl]

When I get glutened I don't think I actually gain weight but I look like I do, I get so bloated up I look like I'm pregnant, its awful.

As far as gaining weight because you don't like the food you can eat, you should try more gluten-free stuff at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or off the internet. I've found replacements for almost everything I thought I couldn't have.

Trader Joe's sells something they call umm french bread muffins or something, they look like a thick english muffin. you can have a big thick hamburger on that. I actually stick one in my purse and then at my local hamburger haven I order the thick hamburger with no bun. When it comes I whip out my own bun and eat my burger that way.

I'm having problems with eating out too.... its hard without a doubt. And as I've said before I come from a family that puts food above a whole lot of things, every thing we do is food centered (and no one is overweight, fyi). I have 2 restaurant critics in the family! I use to eat out at least 4 times a week. Now since October when I found out I have to be gluten-free I've not gone out too often... I have a few places I can go. But that's what I miss by far the most about all this... my family and friends go out and I can't or don't. I want more places to eat out (Santa are you listening?)

Susan

[Coulter]

Yeah...I have weight gain problems, but probably not for the reasons one might expect. I can and have gained weight on the gluten-free diet, but it's difficult for me to gain more in part because I get sick so often (resulting in a 2-5 pound drop) and also, my doctor is telling me to avoid fat! Lol...how do you gain weight without fat? I really crave all the fatty foods, too, but I have been slowly gaining and my primary concern is with my symptoms right now.

[Mballerina]

I also have the same issue with weight gain. I have always been very thin and then when i had my full blown celiac outbreak i gained 30 lbs in one month. Everytime i get near gluten i gain 10-15lbs in a week. Then when i am off of it i lose 10 lbs a week. There are so many issues and painful things that occur in the meantime that it is hard to get a handle on it all.

[artmeg55]

Sally, on Dec 24 2004, 08:19 AM, said:

Does anyone have a problem gaining weight? Initally I lost about 25 pounds and seem unable to gain weight. I am 5'7" and only weight 115 pounds. I can't seem to put the weight on. I think it may be due in part to not really liking the food I can eat. I also feel that I don't have the energy to make the foods I can have. I really miss being able to just go out and eat something, like a big juicy hamburger. Any thoughts you may have would be appreciated.

Sally,
I am also 5'7" and have gained weight on and off to get to between 110 and 114. I did go to see a nutritionist and that helped alot. At this height/ weight relationship we are borderline malnourished. And she said that I could not really feel better until I could maintain a better weight. So I struggle to keep weight on. It's been a problem my whole life and I always blamed it on a fast metabolism. I don't even know if I have a fast metabolism; I was just diagnosed in 2003. The nutritionist encouraged me to eat frequently-6 times a day, 3 meals and 3 snacks. When I follow that I keep weight on better. But when I've had an attack and don't feel like eating, I'll lose several poundss in a couiple of days and then have to start back eating extra calories. Sometimes I'll drink Ensure. I also buy some products from an online store called MissRobens. Good products and prompt service. I eat a yogurt just about every day. Have not had trouble with Yoplait custard style.

[Rikki Tikki]

Thanks artmeg55 and all of you for all the support

[Peaches503]

I am a newly diagnosed celiac. I have so many questions and concerns, but I also have an issue to deal with. Since I have had this disease, I have lost about 6-7 pounds. I currently weigh 102 and am 5'4" and am very happy where I'm at. My doctor told me that I am healthy, however, I have an irrational fear of gaining weight. I don't know why this is, I do not have an eating disorder and never have, however, I know that it is inevitable that I will put some weight back on once my intestine heals. How can I cope with this weight gain or how can I manage my new gluten free diet so that I can maintain my weight within 2 or 3 pounds? I must also add that I DO NOT want to lose any more weight. How can I cope? Can anyone help?

[burdee]

Hi Peaches:
What has helped me maintain my weight, despite learning to avoid gluten about a year ago, then dairy and then soy, is eating for true physical hunger (not for emotional 'hungers' or to numb feelings) and stopping when I feel satisfied or full. That means beyond gluten/dairy/soy restrictions I eat what my body craves--not what my eyes see or my head tells me I should want. Fortunately I am familiar with enough different kinds of foods that sometimes I crave vegies, sometimes fruit, sometimes meats, sometimes nuts, sometimes breads, sometimes sweets, etc. I also like to eat balanced meals so I stay not hungry longer, because I don't like most snack foods (except nuts) or fast foods. I prefer 'slow foods' or well prepared meals which I can really enjoy, rather than just poking something into my mouth to stop the hunger. Obviously I don't diet--don't we celiacs have ENOUGH restrictions without worrying about fats, carbs, calories??? However, I naturally crave a balance of fats, carbs, fiber and protein just about everytime I eat. Despite the overabundance of DIET books available, there are also several good NONDIET books which teach people to let their bodies tell them what, when and how much to eat. We celiacs should listen to our body feedback anyway. How else will we detect accidental contamination? BTW, I have maintained the same weight (within 5-10# range) for the past 38 years.
BURDEE

[Peaches503]

Thanks Burdee. It's helpful to know that there are other people out there to help. I will definitely try to follow your advice. Thanks again.
-Peaches

[ianm]

I had a serious weight problem before going gluten free. I also don't get the full feeling in my stomach so I have to carefully monitor how much I eat because I can easily eat to much and not realize it. The low carb thing has worked exceptionally well for me but may not be for everyone. Whenever I get nailed with gluten I get bloated. Bloating used to be a big problem before. This disease affects everyone differently. It seems that most can't gain or they lose too much weight when eating gluten but some of us do gain weight on gluten.

[Rikki Tikki]

I will have to find a Trader Joe's near me. Does the bread taste like real bread?
I don't have a Whole Foods anywhere near where I live. I have tried ordering off the internet but the shipping cost was so expensive.

[Peaches503]

The bread doesn't exactly taste like real bread, but it's not too terrible. I like to eat it only with pb&j. It's just really dry and dense. I've only been on this diet for about 2 weeks, so I haven't tried all of the breads, just the tapioca bread. I'm aiming to eventually stay away from carbs anyway. Fruits, veggies, and meats are the way to go for me. If you don't have a Whole Foods near you, I know that many P&C stores, Price Chopper, Hannaford and a couple other chain stores carry a small "organic" section that contains gluten-free foods in them.