Celiac Diet

[Lisa]

I was curious if other were experiencing the same thing.

Over the holidays, I talked to a lot of people, that had heard that I was on a medical restrictive diet. Several people inquired. Most were well meaning, concerned and interested. Several others approached me and asked about the diet and said that they are going to try it.

"I have hear that this is the NEW diet and I am going to TRY it for the new year." (As is stared at them and wanted to throw up on their designer shoes)

I do think that dining gluten fee is on the upswing. Whether it be gluten related of popular request, I don't know how it's happening but as long as it's happening is all good with me.

I do think that gluten free dining , aside from those of us who require it, is a fad diet that is growing in strength.

I am curious if others have found this same response.

Lisa

[Rusla]

Usually fads hit up here a few months later than down there. Weee I am now part of the "in" crowd. I never was before. In some ways this would invalidate us but if it can get more glute-free food out there for us then all the better.

[Nantzie]

I've been cooking and sharing all sorts of gluten-free goodies for family events with the hopes that some of my family may try it "to lose weight". Although my true motivation is to get them to try it for all the GI / mood symptoms that are running rampant through the family. Several of them have asked me a lot of questions about it. (I've lost 35 pounds since going gluten-free a year ago.)

I wouldn't mind people who want to lose weight on the diet to come here to get ideas for food, but at the same time it would be kind of frustrating, you know? Especially on those days when you're trying to recover from a mystery glutening (like me the last few days...)

There are so many people who are still undiagnosed that it wouldn't surprise me if someday we start hearing about people who went gluten-free for weight loss only to discover they actually had a long-standing problem with gluten when their health problems cleared up.

Maybe there could be a section on the board for people who want to try the gluten-free diet to lose weight. I feel the more the merrier, and as long as the gluten-free weight loss people don't question us (calling us hypochondriacs or fanatical for example), I won't question them being on it. Because simply being overweight is also a health problem that puts people at risk of all sorts of diseases and conditions. If the gluten-free diet helps them just to lose weight and nothing more, I think that's great.

I'm also curious if the gluten-free diet would help someone lose weight even without worrying about CC, or if the diet only works for weight loss if you're 100% gluten-free.

Nancy

[Rusla]

With me an accidental gluten poisoning makes me gain weight. My other problem is the thyroid and it is not helping my weight go down at all. In the beginning my weight dropped but the thyroid is holding it back.

[Gentleheart]

I'm also curious if the gluten-free diet would help someone lose weight even without worrying about CC, or if the diet only works for weight loss if you're 100% gluten-free.

Nancy

[Nantzie]

Rice Dream rice milk has gluten in it. It's not in the ingredients, but there's a statement below the ingredients that says something about barley. It was enough for me to react to it. So you might want to check the ice cream or cut it out for a period of time to see if there's a difference.

People here have different experiences with their weight. I happened to be slightly overweight and the weight just came off with no effort after going gluten-free. But there was just as much of a chance that I would have gained weight. It just ended up being how my body reacted to the whole situation.

There are several threads I've seen about gaining weight after going gluten-free, so you're not alone. Just like any diet, if you look at it from a weight loss point of view, nothing works for everyone. I gained 25 pounds in three weeks on the low fat diet.

Rusla - me too! My mystery glutening a couple days ago made me gain 4 pounds overnight. Ugh. I always have a jump up in my weight if I get glutened.

Nancy

[Gentleheart]

Rice Dream rice milk has gluten in it. It's not in the ingredients, but there's a statement below the ingredients that says something about barley. It was enough for me to react to it. So you might want to check the ice cream or cut it out for a period of time to see if there's a difference.

People here have different experiences with their weight. I happened to be slightly overweight and the weight just came off with no effort after going gluten-free. But there was just as much of a chance that I would have gained weight. It just ended up being how my body reacted to the whole situation.

There are several threads I've seen about gaining weight after going gluten-free, so you're not alone. Just like any diet, if you look at it from a weight loss point of view, nothing works for everyone. I gained 25 pounds in three weeks on the low fat diet.

Rusla - me too! My mystery glutening a couple days ago made me gain 4 pounds overnight. Ugh. I always have a jump up in my weight if I get glutened.

Nancy

Rice Dream 'claims' that although the rice milk contains gluten, their vanilla ice cream does NOT. Sure would be nice to be able to trust them. But ultimately, a food manufacturer or restaurant is only as reliable as the integrity of the people who make the food. Scarey thought. I should try eliminating it altogether just in case. I have so few treats, it was my one remaining moment of joy (besides the chocolate). But you never know. I should test it. Thanks!

[Kaycee]

I'm either missing something significant, or the gluten free diet doesn't work as a weight loss diet for everyone.

Gentleheart

I think the reason you are gaining weight instead of loosing it is probably because now that you are eating the right food for you, minus the gluten, your body is absorbing more readilly the food you eat, whereas previously for me and probably for you, it didn't hang around long enough in the digestive system to get abosorbed.

Whereas when people without gluten intolerance go on this diet, and they have never had absorption problems before, for them just eating less will cause weight to drop off, and that is how they loose weight. Whereas we can eat less than we did before we went gluten free and still put on weight because more of what we eat is being absorbed through the digestive system. I know it is not fair, but that is just how it goes, and I know I have to really watch what I eat, as all the extra food sticks.

My sister-in-law went gluten free to loose weight a few months ago, and she has lost weight, also she has a lot less reflux, probably none as she has given away the medication. She is not totally 100 per cent gluten free. It annoyed me to start with that she is going gluten free just to loose weight, I felt she was belittling what I was going through by saying it was easy! But then she does not have to worry about cc and that would make it easy, one simple mistake and she can go "Oh, never mind, that was nice"

And it annoyed me that they did not take any notice of my suggesting her husband, my brother get tested for coeliac. They did not think it was necessary to have him checked, and he has not gone gluten free. It sort of makes a mockery of what we go through. But on the other hand it is a healthy diet (and I think more people should be on it) as long as not too many substitute foods are brought in. And it can't do any harm with more publicity for us.

What I want to know, if a dieter looses the weight or just decides to go back to gluten will it set them up for upset tums etc. I know you can't get coeliac or gluten intolerance just by giving that food up and resume eating it, but by resuming gluten might play havoc on their digestive system in the future.

Good points brought up

Cathy

[almostnrn]

I have run across several people in the last few years that have proudly proclaimed to me that they were on a gluten free diet by choice. Most of those were in health food stores or food co-ops and claimed that they feel better, less sluggish when they eliminate gluten from their lives. I don't disagree with that as my family seems to respond the same way. None the less I usually get a good giggle out of it as I walk away. I wonder if it is easier for people to give up gluten when you aren't forced into giving up all of those foods you love? In any event, I say let it be the fad diet, that can only bring more options and awareness of what a gluten free diet is to the world around us. Can you imagine it becoming like the Adkins thing and being on every menu and having gluten-free items being prominent in every grocery?!

[emcmaster]

I don't mind the idea of people going on it for weight loss, but I worry that restaurants and people in general will get used to the people who don't worry about CC... and not take us seriously when we do. It would be hard for someone, like a chef in a restaurant, to understand who gets sick from gluten and who just avoids it for weight loss. I worry that if it becomes more the norm when someone asks for something gluten-free to be asking because they're on a diet and don't care about CC, restaurants won't end up being as careful with all gluten-free food because most people who ask for gluten-free food won't have any ill effects if they consume it. Does that make sense?

[jerseyangel]

I don't mind the idea of people going on it for weight loss, but I worry that restaurants and people in general will get used to the people who don't worry about CC... and not take us seriously when we do. It would be hard for someone, like a chef in a restaurant, to understand who gets sick from gluten and who just avoids it for weight loss. I worry that if it becomes more the norm when someone asks for something gluten-free to be asking because they're on a diet and don't care about CC, restaurants won't end up being as careful with all gluten-free food because most people who ask for gluten-free food won't have any ill effects if they consume it. Does that make sense?

Yes, this makes perfect sense to me, Elizabeth.

As we all know, eating gluten-free is so much more than ordering a hamburger without the bun. We have to inquire about clean utensils, pans, grills, hands, gloves, etc.

This is just my personal opinion, but since about 97% of Celiacs are undiagnosed (and that dosen't take into account those who may be gluten intolerant), it stands to reason that there will be some people who do feel better after adopting the gluten-free diet--no matter why they tried it in the first place.

[Nancym]

There's a cardiologist, whose blog I read, who recommends wheat free for everyone because he thinks eating wheat encourages a poor lipid profile.

But anyway, I'm happy about the trend. The more people who insist on being able to eat gluten-free the easier I think it'll be for us. Especially with the social stigma of having a "different" diet.

Open Original Shared Link

[nikki-uk]

What I want to know, if a dieter looses the weight or just decides to go back to gluten will it set them up for upset tums etc. I know you can't get coeliac or gluten intolerance just by giving that food up and resume eating it, but by resuming gluten might play havoc on their digestive system in the future.

I didn't go gluten-free to loose weight per se ...it was just one of the pleasant side effects that happened!(Although is that because it keeps me away from junk and processed food?)

I initially decided to go gluten-free to support my hubby who was having a bit of denial about his diagnosis of celiac disease.

I actually found it quite easy in the home - but thought I could eat what I wanted outside of home.

I discovered some disturbing effects whenever I tried

My mouth and tongue would tingle and go numb after a pizza, palpitations, sweating and general queasyness.

I continued to 'try' outside the home - but each time it happened - and frankly it worried me.

I've also been a life long sufferer of IBS - and do you know what?? I very rarely get attacks like I used to.

Not sure why this occurs - but there's something about gluten my body doesn't like (gluten-free also improved my eczema)

Now that my son has been dx with celiac disease also - I find it's just easier to stay gluten-free.

Somehow, with all that I know about gluten now - I can't bring myself to eat it!!

[happygirl]

Men's Health (Jan/Feb) issue says:

"if your belly won't budge, you may have a gluten intolerance"

the blurb goes on to talk about New Zealand researchers who worked with men who were having trouble losing weight, and put them on a gluten free diet. They began losing weight. Why? "In some people, gluten appears to cause chroinically high levels of insulin, a hormone that signals your body to store fat, report the scientists." "Within 3 months of adoptin a gluten-free diet, the study participants had also reduced thier insulin levels by 50 percent"

"Unfortunately, medical tests to determine gluten intolerance are often inconclusive. So the easiest way to find out if your'e afflicted is to elimante this grain protien from your diet for 4-6 weeks and moniotr your weight and general health"

So, this and other popular media (including a blurb in People? about Gwyenth Paltrow going gluten free after the birth of her baby) have helped bring it into the "lexicon" of normal words.

(By the way, Men's Health often reports on gluten problems, so their medical advisors must be Celiac-gluten educated. Husband subscribes to it, and he's always like, Gluten is mentioned again!)

[Sinenox]

I'm with EMC. Recently when I go out to eat and request a gluten free meal the waiter immediately asks "Why?", and not because they haven't heard of celiac before. It seems to me that in ye old days no one would have questioned you, but I think these days servers really want to know whether it's "an allergy" or a fad diet. More and more I've been having experiences where waitresses don't take me seriously or think they know better.

My friend (who is also gluten intolerant) recently went to a restaurant and ordered a salad that usually comes in a wheaty bowl. She explained her condition and specifically communicated in no uncertain terms that her food couldn't even come in contact with it, or she would be ill. The waitress asked her probing questions about why she needed the special treatment and my friend, who has never been officially diagnosed but gets quite ill every time she's exposed to gluten, faltered a bit due to her own status but did manage to answer her questions reasonably. The food came and after having eating a good portion of it the waitress laid down this line about how it was easy to accomodate, she just let them make it normally and then poured it into a different bowl - and waited for my friend's reaction. My friend still doesn't take it all that seriously, she tries not to make a fuss and she doesn't always have strong reactions right away so she explained why that wasn't alright and then sent the waitress away. She ended up spending 40 minutes all-told getting sick in the bathroom, the one in the restaurant, and the waitress gave her uneasy glances whenever she came back to the table.

What is it about our society that enables perfectly healthy people to doubt those for whom the cost of indulging their curiosity can be dire? What makes us more inclined to doubt the victim? I just don't get it.

[jayhawkmom]

I am torn at the thought of a gluten free diet being a fad. On one hand... hoooray! It gets more attention and brings about more choices for us. On the other hand, much like the "Atkins" diet - it's starting to cause eye rolling at the mere mention, by people who assume it IS just a fad, making it more difficult - mentally - on the people who have to follow the diet.

I had a baby 16 months ago, and up until November I had not been able to move ANY of the weight. I had been "gluten light" even though testing showed that I clearly should be gluten free. Once I removed ALL gluten from my diet, the weight started falling off. Since November - I'm down 34 lbs!!!! For me, it's a good thing because I gained about 70 with the pregnancy, and have been carrying most of that since then.

So, now people around me see that I'm losing weight and they want the secret. The secret is.... I'm intolerant to gluten, and when I eat it - I don't absorb nutrients, I'm always hungry, and I eat constantly. When I don't consume gluten, I absorb nutrients, I eat the right foods, and I have no desire to overload on high calorie - high fat junk. But, everyone wants to try the diet, because it seems to be a good way for ME to lose weight.

I don't know. I think it can be good, and I hope that it will be good for all of us, in the long run. =)

[bluejeangirl]

My husbands friend who is a personal trainer in a up scale training gym puts people on gluten free diets all the time. He loses weight when he goes on it and loves it. My husband also lost wt. on it and feels better then ever. My youngest son (22) decided to go gluten free because he wanted to see what all the fuss was about and he's losing wt. and telling me how good he's feeling. He's just coming off a round of antibiotics and just wants to feel healthy again. So I have a gluten free household now! I'm finally going to go through my pantry and throw out all the flour and spaghetti's and cake mixes that I've wanted to do since I started a year ago. :P :P :P

[bluejeangirl]

My husbands friend who is a personal trainer in a up scale training gym puts people on gluten free diets all the time. He loses weight when he goes on it and loves it. My husband also lost wt. on it and feels better then ever. My youngest son (22) decided to go gluten free because he wanted to see what all the fuss was about and he's losing wt. and telling me how good he's feeling. He's just coming off a round of antibiotics and just wants to feel healthy again. So I have a gluten free household now! I'm finally going to go through my pantry and throw out all the flour and spaghetti's and cake mixes that I've wanted to do since I started a year ago. :P :P :P

[Kaycee]

I don't mind the idea of people going on it for weight loss, but I worry that restaurants and people in general will get used to the people who don't worry about CC... and not take us seriously when we do. It would be hard for someone, like a chef in a restaurant, to understand who gets sick from gluten and who just avoids it for weight loss. I worry that if it becomes more the norm when someone asks for something gluten-free to be asking because they're on a diet and don't care about CC, restaurants won't end up being as careful with all gluten-free food because most people who ask for gluten-free food won't have any ill effects if they consume it. Does that make sense?

Elizabeth this makes perfect sense and I have my worries about it as well, and was going to mention it, but my previous post was long enough!

What if we take up the challenge and rename our diet or their diet so that there is no mistake about which is which.

Is the diet fad, totally gluten free or just wheat free? For my sister in law it was totally gluten free.

Just a few ideas for names for when dining out.

Ours Coeliac (celiac) diet, Gluten intolerance diet, Prescription gluten diet (might need Medical card for this)

Theirs Low gluten diet, Gluten weightloss Plan

Just a couple of thoughts, we could get a bit adventurous with the names, but I'm not thinking too hot today.

Cathy

[debmidge]

I'm with EMC. Recently when I go out to eat and request a gluten free meal the waiter immediately asks "Why?", and not because they haven't heard of celiac before. It seems to me that in ye old days no one would have questioned you, but I think these days servers really want to know whether it's "an allergy" or a fad diet. More and more I've been having experiences where waitresses don't take me seriously or think they know better.

My friend (who is also gluten intolerant) recently went to a restaurant and ordered a salad that usually comes in a wheaty bowl. She explained her condition and specifically communicated in no uncertain terms that her food couldn't even come in contact with it, or she would be ill. The waitress asked her probing questions about why she needed the special treatment and my friend, who has never been officially diagnosed but gets quite ill every time she's exposed to gluten, faltered a bit due to her own status but did manage to answer her questions reasonably. The food came and after having eating a good portion of it the waitress laid down this line about how it was easy to accomodate, she just let them make it normally and then poured it into a different bowl - and waited for my friend's reaction. My friend still doesn't take it all that seriously, she tries not to make a fuss and she doesn't always have strong reactions right away so she explained why that wasn't alright and then sent the waitress away. She ended up spending 40 minutes all-told getting sick in the bathroom, the one in the restaurant, and the waitress gave her uneasy glances whenever she came back to the table.

What is it about our society that enables perfectly healthy people to doubt those for whom the cost of indulging their curiosity can be dire? What makes us more inclined to doubt the victim? I just don't get it.

Whether it be food workers or relatives or friends it just seems that some just want to challenge you to "prove" you wrong! It's not about doing the right thing, but it's about (to them) being "right."

Several years ago, pre celiac, my husband and I went out for breakfast - had pancakes. My husband is very, very thin and has had no problem with cholestrol numbers so can eat as much fat as he wanted (in hindsight it was due to being misdiagnosed celiac, so fat was not sticking to his ribs). Anyway, he always used extraordinary amounts of butter on his pancakes, even at home. He asked the waitress for more butter. Would you believe that the waitress gave him a hard time? As if it was she who was paying for and supplying him with the butter! We have not been in a restaurant since he's been diagnosed so I can very well understand how the servers would react and perform when told of gluten/wheat intolerance.

[jaten]

...I worry that restaurants and people in general will get used to the people who don't worry about CC... and not take us seriously when we do. It would be hard for someone, like a chef in a restaurant, to understand who gets sick from gluten and who just avoids it for weight loss. I worry that if it becomes more the norm when someone asks for something gluten-free to be asking because they're on a diet and don't care about CC, restaurants won't end up being as careful with all gluten-free food because most people who ask for gluten-free food won't have any ill effects if they consume it. Does that make sense?

Yes, I have noticed in the general population that more people are going gluten free because they "want to" for whatever reason. Like emc, I am very concerned about the possible adverse effect this could have on cc concerns by restaurant staff, etc.