Weight Loss

[Barry W]

I was diagnosed with celiac about two weeks ago and have been eating only gluten free foods. I am eating meat and vegetables with my meals.  I eat snacks, potato chips, cheese balls, which are all gluten free. I have lost about six pounds. Should I be losing weight? I also find myself craving watermelon. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, Barr W!

When you eliminate wheat from the diet, most of us would automatically be eliminating a significant amount of carbohydrates and calories that we were taking in previously.

Cravings for certain foods can be an indication of a nutrient deficiency and nutrient deficiencies generally come with the territory of celiac disease. The damage done to the villi of the small bowel can greatly reduce the surface area of nutrient absorption such that, even though we may be eating well, the nutrients are just passing through. Are you taking any vitamin and mineral supplements to compensate for this? It often takes two years or so for the villi to rebound once we adopt a gluten free diet. Commonly on this forum we recommend people begin supplementing with a high potency B-complex, B12, 5000 to 10,000 IU of D3 daily, magnesium glycinate and zinc. Make sure all vitamins and supplements are gluten free.

Is your weight loss a concern or is it welcome?

[Barry W]

On 6/7/2023 at 9:53 AM, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, Barr W!

When you eliminate wheat from the diet, most of us would automatically be eliminating a significant amount of carbohydrates and calories that we were taking in previously.

Cravings for certain foods can be an indication of a nutrient deficiency and nutrient deficiencies generally come with the territory of celiac disease. The damage done to the villi of the small bowel can greatly reduce the surface area of nutrient absorption such that, even though we may be eating well, the nutrients are just passing through. Are you taking any vitamin and mineral supplements to compensate for this? It often takes two years or so for the villi to rebound once we adopt a gluten free diet. Commonly on this forum we recommend people begin supplementing with a high potency B-complex, B12, 5000 to 10,000 IU of D3 daily, magnesium glycinate and zinc. Make sure all vitamins and supplements are gluten free.

Is your weight loss a concern or is it welcome?

Thank you for your response.

I am not taking the vitamins you mentioned. Thank you for letting me know this and all your information. 

The weight loss is not a concern, as I could loss a few pounds.

Take care,

Barry

[Scott Adams]

Most celiacs will benefit for a good gluten-free multivitamin & mineral supplement. One A Day and Geritol are good examples. 

Depending on the level of villi damage you have it could take a few months to heal, and normally you will regain lost weight after that point.

[razzle5150]

On 6/7/2023 at 6:57 AM, Barry W said:

I was diagnosed with celiac about two weeks ago and have been eating only gluten free foods. I am eating meat and vegetables with my meals.  I eat snacks, potato chips, cheese balls, which are all gluten free. I have lost about six pounds. Should I be losing weight? I also find myself craving watermelon. 

my dr says no But I disagree  lost a few also  love watermelon from arkansas

[Scott Adams]

Your doctor probably doesn't have celiac disease 😁. Many of its almost 200 recorded symptoms are caused by nutrient deficiencies, some of which take years to recover from, depending on the level of gut damage you have.

[patty-maguire]

"Should I be losing weight?"

The "should" part is up to you.  If you were overweight and happy to see some pounds taking leave, then take the win.  The weight loss is not from removing gluten per se, but likely from removing the carbs and calories that come along with gluten containing foods like bread, pasta etc.  If you're not happy about the weight loss then, as other have said, make sure you're getting the nutrients you need and consider adding more calories / carbs to your diet.  Gluten free pasta, potatoes, bread, fruit, cheese etc. will all help.  All the best and welcome to the club