Day #1 Gluten Free: Hungry and Exhausted

[zenjess1980]

I have been gluten free once before (for about a year or so.) This time, however, it's for good. 

I'm on day #1 of being gluten free, and to be honest I'm hungry, exhausted/drained/no energy. 

I do not remember why this happens though, how long this lasts, or any specific ways I got past this the last time with limited suffering (LOL!!!)

 

-Jessica

 

[squirmingitch]

Sounds like gluten withdrawal is rearing it's head already Jess. Eat. Eat, eat, eat, eat. I couldn't go 10 minutes without eating. I swear I was starving 24 hours a day.

Everyone is different so a time frame can't be told. I was about 2 months. I've heard people get over it in a few days or a couple weeks or a month & up to about 2 months.

Rest as much as you can -- become a couch potato, drink loads of water to flush your system.

[GFinDC]

Yep, go ahead and eat.  The gluten-free diet is not a weight loss diet, it is a medical diet.  I was hungry after first going gluten-free also.  There is no harm in eating extra food beyond your norm if your body needs the nutrition to heal.  It's good to avoid carbs and sugars though, and probably dairy for many people.  Your new diet should be mostly whole foods you cook yourself, not restaurant food.  Simple meals of meats, veggies, nuts and fruit are usually safe.  Processed gluten-free foods are best avoided at the beginning as they have more carbs and sugars than most gluten versions do.  Your gut bacteria will probably be working on coming to a new balance and the presence of lots of carbs and sugars will feed the wrong kind of bacteria.  And can also make you gassy and upset.

[zenjess1980]

39 minutes ago, squirmingitch said:

Sounds like gluten withdrawal is rearing it's head already Jess. Eat. Eat, eat, eat, eat. I couldn't go 10 minutes without eating. I swear I was starving 24 hours a day.

Everyone is different so a time frame can't be told. I was about 2 months. I've heard people get over it in a few days or a couple weeks or a month & up to about 2 months.

Rest as much as you can -- become a couch potato, drink loads of water to flush your system.

Thank you for the support and info.  I really appreciate it. We are going grocery shopping on Friday  

[zenjess1980]

22 minutes ago, GFinDC said:

Yep, go ahead and eat.  The gluten-free diet is not a weight loss diet, it is a medical diet.  I was hungry after first going gluten-free also.  There is no harm in eating extra food beyond your norm if your body needs the nutrition to heal.  It's good to avoid carbs and sugars though, and probably dairy for many people.  Your new diet should be mostly whole foods you cook yourself, not restaurant food.  Simple meals of meats, veggies, nuts and fruit are usually safe.  Processed gluten-free foods are best avoided at the beginning as they have more carbs and sugars than most gluten versions do.  Your gut bacteria will probably be working on coming to a new balance and the presence of lots of carbs and sugars will feed the wrong kind of bacteria.  And can also make you gassy and upset.

Thank you. I actually have to avoid carbs pretty much because I'm diabetic. I appreciate your reply