[AnneM]

When i was first diagnosed with celiac almost 2 yrs ago i went through all the mental anguish of thinking i couldn't eat anything good anymore. Then there was a period of time that i had anxiety over running out of food that i could eat at home, so i would buy tons of food and tell people in my family that was "my food" don't touch! Then i went through the wow i can eat it phase...so i would buy everything i could that was gluten free...because i could eat it!..and eat it i did....i gained weight..i would sit at my computer and play online games and eat 2 big bags of Cheetos a week, a big Hershey bar a week, and of course the gluten free cookies and cakes...because hey i could eat them!

I woke up one day 2 weeks ago and i looked at myself in the mirror and i said to myself wow you are fat! and it's like a light bulb went off in my head...JUST BECAUSE IT'S GLUTEN FREE DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO EAT IT. So i have been eating healthier, not calling it a diet, because it isn't, it's the way i choose to eat and live. I am eating vegies and fruits as snacks and a few nuts everyday...and my regular meals, but putting less on my plate.

I have to say, wow in 2 weeks time i feel WONDERFUL, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore i don't even think about my stomach, it never used to let me forget it was there, it hurt constantly. I am so energetic it's amazing, no headaches and my bowel movements are normal again, and i am sleeping better. I feel like a whole different person.. I just wanted to share in case someone else had gone through this, maybe my story can help someone.

[Sweetfudge]

you know, i think i'm on the fence with this problem right now. i know that when i eat healthier foods i feel better, but i still feel this insatiable urge to eat what i can't, not even a specific food craving, but just reacting to my being deprived. i think that's why i indulge in so many sweets. but i'm starting to realize that exercise alone isn't going to keep this weight off. i'm happy for you that you've been able to overcome this!

[AnneM]

Thank you, the biggest challenge with celiac after you understand the disease and what you can and can't eat is the mental hurdles you have to get over, and that takes time, it took me almost 2 yrs of fighting with what my brain and my stomach were telling me. I used to crave sweets too if it said gluten free i bought it, i was excited to see GLUTEN FREE on something.
My stomach used to feel like it was gnawing inside, it doesn't do that anymore in fact i don't even know its there..it feels normal.
Now i stay away from processed gluten free foods, like the cookies, crackers, cakes things like that, most don't taste good anyways.
There really are so many regular different foods that we can eat, i have no need for all the processed stuff. Good luck to you.

[AnneM]

I weighed myself and i lost 5lbs in a little over 2 weeks. YAY! ....im on my way back to feeling and looking better.

[Sweetfudge]

AnneM, on Jan 17 2008, 05:14 AM, said:

I weighed myself and i lost 5lbs in a little over 2 weeks. YAY! ....im on my way back to feeling and looking better.

Congrats! That's awesome!!!

[gf taz]

...JUST BECAUSE IT'S GLUTEN FREE DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO EAT IT.

I'm so glad you have pointed that out. i think those are the words i needed to hear. the same as you if it says gluten free i get so excited i buy it eat it and then feel totally stuffed!

The other key problem is the fat content in the gluten free food. I am trying very hard to go for yoghurts and fruit. was trying to eat jelly sweets as a suppresant but got caught out by maynards wine gums after i had eaten a fair few and then read the label saying 'contains wheat'.

Thank you for the inspiration, i wish you luck