Gluten free desserts upsetting me greatly!

[Mystl3tainn]

Hi everyone!:) I’ve been diagnosed as celiac for a couple months now, and have been feeling a large margin better, but still nauseous frequently. I’ve found to have a lot of trouble with lactose, which I learned can happen to people with celiac. 
 

I make gluten free desserts frequently, and today I made brownies, and they caused me a lot of nausea and gas. I’m thinking that maybe I just can’t handle heavier foods yet? My appetite seems a bit small and a lot of things seem to be taxing for my digestive system. Is this normal, should I bring it up with my gastroenterologist?

[trents]

Welcome to the forum Mystl3tainn!

Because of the "leaky gut syndrome" that accompanies celiac disease, it is common for celiacs to have developed food sensitivities apart from gluten by the time they are diagnosed. Dairy (either the lactose or the protein casein), oats (even gluten free oats), soy and eggs are common ones. But it can be almost anything. A common ingredient found in gluten free ready made mixes and snacks is xanthan gum which doesn't agree with many celiacs.

It would be smart for you to keep a food diary to try and spot patterns.

Also, a common disorder experienced by many celiacs is histamine intolerance and a closely related problem called MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). I'll let you research those.

I think we all have the delusion when we are first diagnosed with celiac disease that if we eliminate gluten our digestive health issues will be in the rear view mirror. Unfortunately, celiac disease often brings along it's associates.

[Scott Adams]

I would also like to mention that eating lots of sugar can trigger or contribute to a poor gut bacteria balance, so cutting back on your sugar intake would likely also be a good idea, not to mention it would also decrease your diabetes risk.

[LaLeoLoca]

It could also be the pots and pans you are using for prep, if you have not changed them out. There is a lot of info if you google it. I bit the bullet and am starting over, slowly. Nonstick esp can absorb gluten, so you may have glutened yourself by accident with the brownie pan. Sensitivity can also go up over time, so what didn’t bug you a few months ago (like a pan) may now. Feel better!

[cristiana]

Hi Mystl3tainn

It could well be that it is just early days yet, and you are still healing.  It can take some time.

However, there are other things you may wish to consider.

Did you use oat flour in the brownies?  I found even the pure gluten free ones made my stomach sore every time I ate them for many years.  About two years ago, I found I can eat them again, but they still make me feel a bit bloated if I eat too many.

Something else to consider is you may have gastritis.  I suffer from gastritis-like symptoms periodically.  Apart from when I get glutened, I get it if I  take aspirin (sometimes I just have to as it is the only thing that takes away a certain kind of headache I get) or certain antibiotics; also I find I get this if I eat too much rich or spicey food.  I don't drink but I've read too much alcohol can cause it.  And, going back to oats, in the early days, I seemed to get a sore stomach very similar to having gastritis when I ate them. 

It is something I have learned to live with, and thankfully know how to manage it now, but when it hits I try to adopt a simple gastritis diet for a few days (there are a lot of such diets on the internet, have a google).   Essentially, I avoid coffee, citrus fruit, spicey and fatty food for a few days.  I eat chicken slow-cooked in stock with potatoes and carrots, banana and rice.  Small but regular meals.  I try to allow the stomach to rest after my evening meal rather than snack through the evening.  

If you want to try this for a few days you may find it helps.  If not, speak to your doctor because if it is gastritis there are medicines that can help.  There can be a bacteria helicobacter pylori that causes gastritis, but normally they test people for this when they do an endoscopy.

Cristiana

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by cristiana

[trents]

You may also want to check for the presence of xanthan gum in the mixes you use for these deserts.