Newly Celiac. Foods to help during withdrawal from gluten

[CharlesBronson]

Hello All,

I posted here earlier this year in the Pre-Celiac forum as I was being tested for celiacs.

I got the results back from my biopsy this week and I'm celiac. My villa are pretty much non-existant, as I've been a big gluten/wheat eater my whole life (I'm 35). 

I've been gluten free for about a week and I'm exhausted, cranky, irritable and my mood is quite low. I'm wondering what foods could help combat some of these symptoms. Should I be eating more food overall to help balance my mood. More sugar and starch? 

Any advice would be great. Thank you.

 

 

[Elliottohonedhome]

Hey Charles, sorry about your diagnoses and damaged villi.

 

I'd suggest going back to basics and going easy on the starch and sugars, especially processed. I went back to rice and lots of veges, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower to name a few (cook until really soft.) And chicken roasted in organic sea salt.

 

Lots of good fats, too - organic coconut oil - I use Vita Coco and the fat from your roasted meats. Olive oil, too if you're a fan 

 

So yeah rice, the veg you prefer and see tasty roasted meat it makes a lovely filling meal.

 

What's your favourite foods so people can come along and suggest alternatives?

All the best.

 

Elliott.

[tessa25]

Initially it's good to stick with meat, veggies, potatoes, eggs, stews, etc. But if you just have to eat something different here's my list of good tasting gluten-free equivalents.

 

Note: insert the words "gluten free" in every item mentioned as some of the companies also sell non gluten free stuff. It's tedious to write that phrase all the time.

Get a chest freezer to store all of your frozen gluten-free foods. Makes things easier.

Bread:
  - Canyon bakehouse without question is the most realistic tasting bread. They have white, fake rye, multigrain and bagels (the bagels are fantastic).
  - Schar baguettes are decent.
  - Katz makes an English muffin that, after toasted, reminds me of a real one provided it has stuff on it like butter. I think that's the brand.
  - Etalia has a good boule if you prefer artisan bread. (Colorado)

Pizza crust:
    - Schar makes a good thick and chewy crust.
    - Udis makes a good thin and crispy crust.
    - Etalia makes a great New York crust. (Colorado)

Pasta:
    - Barilla makes the best pasta. Tastes like normal pasta. Spaghetti cooks the best.
    
Flour:
    - Pamelas all-purpose flour is great for making gravy and batter for fried foods.

Cereal:
    - Envirokidz Gorilla Munch cereal is a yummy equivalent to corn Pops.

Cookies:
    - Goodie Girl mint slims - fantastic girl scout mint cookie equivalent
    - Glutino and MiDel make a decent Oreo equivalent.
    - Kinnikinnik makes a good nilla wafer
    - Mi Del makes a great ginger snap.

Cake:
    - Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix tastes the same, but you have to get the cooking time exactly right. It is a very small window of time. Too long and it's too dry.
    - Udi's blueberry muffins after 8 seconds in the microwave are addicting
    - Katz chocolate donut holes are fabulous

Frozen meals:
    - Udi's Chicken Florentine is addictive and Broccoli Kale lasagna is a good white lasagna.

 

If you are willing to cook from scratch it's fairly easy to make a good gluten free equivalent to your favorite foods.

 

[CharlesBronson]

Thank you for the replies Elliott and Tessa. Sorry for late reply. Holidays have been busy.

One more question: Seeing as I'm just beginning my healing process, is it best to avoid the gluten-free processed foods like cookies, granola bars, pretzels, etc? You know the ones that are all over the grocery stores, like Glutino. Although, I do enjoy their bread once a day. I have a feeling the cookies, bars etc are making me feel awful too.

I'm a good two weeks removed from eating gluten so the worst of the withdrawal is over, but seeing as it was the Holidays, I was eating a lot of the processed gluten-free snacks mentioned above and feel awful. 

 

Thanks!

[Ennis-TX]

1 hour ago, CharlesBronson said:

Thank you for the replies Elliott and Tessa. Sorry for late reply. Holidays have been busy.

One more question: Seeing as I'm just beginning my healing process, is it best to avoid the gluten-free processed foods like cookies, granola bars, pretzels, etc? You know the ones that are all over the grocery stores, like Glutino. Although, I do enjoy their bread once a day. I have a feeling the cookies, bars etc are making me feel awful too.

I'm a good two weeks removed from eating gluten so the worst of the withdrawal is over, but seeing as it was the Holidays, I was eating a lot of the processed gluten-free snacks mentioned above and feel awful. 

 

Thanks!

Yeah we normally suggest a whole foods only diet for a few months then trying processed foods. Many reasons for this, Some celiacs have others issues, some react to oats the same way, some have other food intolerance issues and a whole foods diet with a food diary will find them. Many celiac have intestinal damage, the enzymes to break down dairy come from the villi...which are often damaged or destroyed so lactose intolerance is common.
Also consider most gluten free subs...are just starch and sugar laden carb bombs with little nutritional value and not enriched. You can not live off them, and they will make your more prone to getting SIBO, Candida, and Diabetes. Treat them as a "Treat" and not a food.

I often suggest a grain free approach with a paleo diet base, whole foods, and avoiding starches and sugars for a bit til you heal. Focusing on real and nutrient dense foods like soups, stew, egg dishes, chili, baked/grilled meats, roast, baked sweet potatoes, etc. Go easy on spices try using more herbs, also, consider you gut to be raw and "carpet burned" you do not want spices or alcohol on it til it heals or you will find it irritated.