3 Weeks Gluten Free And Still Working Towards 100%

[badcasper]

I never really knew what was wrong with me, but I always knew I didn't like a lot of foods. Some I didn't like because I had strange reactions to them. I have not been diagnosed but the change in my diet is amazing. I just changed my vitamins and wow, its like they work. My aches and pains have improved. my energy level is back to normal. Im trying very hard to learn every food that gluten is hidden in or even cross contaminated. I have been glutened twice since I went gluten free. I have been having issues with constipation although I drink prune juice and eat prunes. I just tried eating an avocado and that really seemed to help. Does anyone have suggestions for brand foods that are pure and or better and what not to buy? I'm tired of buying foods that I have to give away.I am 50yrs old and have arthritis as well. I'm currently taking birth control pills because my period has amnesia, it can't remember to stop. Hopefully in time I won't need those either. I haven't eaten out since and I'm scared to. Lucky for me, I haven't suffered from the vomiting or diarrhea. Im sure it has a lot to do with the bland diet I have been on for years [ rice, kidney beans, pure pumkin puree, ect.] that got boring and I started eating a lot of junk food- none which was gluten free. I had symptons like mouth sores, burning throat, nausea, tiredness, excessive gas all the time,migrains all the time, bad periods even while on the pill, depression, insomnia and I think that's everything.

[bartfull]

Hi and welcome!

 

The first thing you should do is go to the coping section here and read the Newbie 101 thread pinned at the top. That'll help you with cross-contamination and lots of other stuff. Then read as many threads here as you can. There is a wealth of information to dig through.

 

As for brands, well, we all have our favorites, but for bread most agree that Canyon Bakehouse seven grain, and Udi's multi-grain are the best. Schar isn't bad if you get the multi-grain either. Not as good as the other two (IMO) but not bad. The important thing is to NOT buy Ener-G bread. It'll break your heart! It is so bad it'll stink up your whole kitchen!

 

For snacks, Udi's makes a Double Chocolate Muffin that is very very very good. But you can also get gluten-free cake mixes of you want to make your own (Betty Crocker). And a lot of other things are gluten-free without being "specialty" items. Lay's potato chips for example.

 

Like soup? Progresso has many gluten-free soups. It'll say so on the front of the label. Ronzoni makes a gluten-free pasta that I just tried yesterday and it's good.

 

And there are some companys that are really good about labeling. Kraft and Con-Agra are parent companys that encompass many brands. For example, Planter's nuts are a Kraft product. Both Kraft and Con-Agra will clearly state in the ingredients if something has gluten or is made on the same line/facility as gluten containing products so if you don't see wheat, rye or barley (or the made on the same line) on the label, you'll know it's safe.

 

And don't forget, not only are whole foods (fresh meat, veggies and fruit) gluten-free, but they are better for you than processed foods.

[nvsmom]

Welcome to the board.  

 

Bartfull has lots of info listed.  I tend to buy Glutino, and  Udi's for baked goods and cookies.  Bragg's makes a nice soy sauce.  I use Biolife or Go life bouillon... or something like that.  I usually shop at Superstore (Canada) and they have a (small) natural foods aisle that makes finding gluten-free foods a bit easier.  Otherwise veggies, fruits, and meat are all gluten-free. Dairy usually is too.  Nuts and dried fruit are gluten-free but they can be cvontaminated depending on where they are processed.  Reall ALL labels and you'll do fine.

 

Are you interested ion being tested for celiac disease?  If so, you need to be eating gluten prior to testing.  Since you have only been gluten-free for 3 weeks you would probably only need to resume eating gluten for 2-3 weeks.  If you are gluten-free for a few months though, you will need to resume eating gluten (about 1-2 slices of bread per day) for 2-3 months prior to having blood tests done.  If you think you might want to be tested, do it sooner rather than later.

 

Celiacs can be low in potassium (K) which will cause anemia and poor clotting.  Have you had that checked?  Also, and much more rare, thrombocytopenia can be found in a few celiacs and others with AI diseases.  This is when your platelet count gets very low (platelets clot blood and stop bleeding & menstration) sometimes due to an autoimmune attack by your white blood cells on those platelets.  I have this problem and had periods that lasted a few months - pretty heavy.  Another thing to consider is hypothyroidism.  This can cause spotting during your cycle on almost everyday, but in my experience, it is light and often older blood.

 

I'm glad you are starting to feel better so quickly!  Your recovery is on the fast side of things.     I hope it continues that way.

 

ps.  Nuts are often helpful for C.  

[Zebra007]

Hey glad your feeling better..What I did when I first went gluten-free was rush out in a panic and purchase lots of biscuits, treats etc and then I came down with Candida, a yeast infection caused by too much sugar....some companies put a LOT of sugar in shop bought products, and so just be careful with that.  Once you get in your stride why not make yourself some cakes, as mentioned Betty Crocker or even your own which is where I am at now..it gets easier, really!

 

 I don't eat out much mainly because I didn't trust the bars and restaurants before I went gluten-free and more so now, I think eating out is the quickest way to get gluttoned, unless you know the restaurant very well.

[badcasper]

I will make a list of hidden gluten ingredients and keep it with me. Making my own cakes sounds great. I have noticed how expensive gluten-free foods can be when they are made for you. I like eating nuts but in moderation. They put weight on me so fast. I am not sure I want to be tested. 1] I don't ever want to be sick again. 2] I plan on staying gluten-free for life particularly because I like the food choices better. I have always been kind of a health nut. 3] I don't have any insurance. I used to have impossible periods or you might say period. It kept getting worse and never stopped. I ended up in urgent care before I made it to my appointment with a specialist. They ran every test possible and still found nothing. I had an endometrial ablation and that last for almost 4 years then it all came back. Now I'm taking birth control pills. I'm hoping after months of being gluten free , I will be able to stop taking them. I remember when I would eat out and have a large whole wheat chicken sandwich I would always start my period within 2 hours. I thought it was soy in the bread because soy is in almost all gluten products. Thanks for the advice. It is much appreciated

[MomBTired]

I didn't read all the comments yet, but I am 45, not celiac and having woman issues also. It's part of menopause. Ask if you can skip the sugar pill week, it helped me. I thought I was hemorrhaging last month.

 

You need to find yourself snacks that you like that are gluten free. My son is 19 and Celiac. After his scope and when he was still out, Dr told me he was definitely positive and needed to go gluten free, the first thing I looked at on my phone was Reese Peanut Butter cups gluten free. Fortunately they are gluten-free. My kiddo would have had to be put in the psych dept if he couldn't have them anymore. Just do a little research.

 

Which, by the way, most of your symptoms I have, was told it's perimenopause. It's miserable

[bartfull]

Be careful with those PB cups. The regular ones are gluten-free but the holiday ones are not.

[MomBTired]

Yup, I know. He's 19 and doesn't care what shape they are