How Long After Gluten Free Do Symptoms Disappear?

[redwolfgirl]

Hello all,

I have been gluten-free since Thursday and must say I feel better but have had a few reactions (gas, bloat, etc.) to food I have eaten. 2 were minor reactions and one was as if I was not gluten free at all. The first came after a potato with margerine and sour cream from Wendy's. The second, and worse, from an Amy's mexican frozen meal and the third from another Amy's mexican bowl. Thought all three were gluten free so I am confused.

I guess my question is how long will I expereicne symptons? I'm it varies with each peson but is there some sort of best and worst case scenario?

RedWolfGirl

[HawkFire]

You may want to avoid some other ingredients to start. I would suggest you avoid all MSG. It is ok to call MSG "Yeast Extract". Perhaps you are reacting more to that awful ingredient as you begin the cleanse of your body?

The other I would suggest you avoid while you adjust to gluten free living is dairy. Most Celiacs have developed lactose intolerance due to the lag in dx of Celiac. You may be experiencing an increased reaction to dairy. That will disappear after a couple of months.

Be kind to your body for the next month. Natural, organic, unprocessed foods will speed your healing.

[redwolfgirl]

Thank you for the reply.

I am also a ovo-lacto vegetarian so avoiding cheese may be a problem for me. I don't seem to have many problems with dairy at this time but one never knows.

I used to get most of my protein from meat substitute products but about 95% of them have gluten in them so I am concerned about where my protein will come from. I assumed that cheese and eggs would be the best choice.

I have never looked for MSG in ingredients but will now. Thanks!

RedWolfGirl

[HawkFire]

Redwolfgirl,

I would suggest the algae products you can find in your health food store called chlorella and spirulina. They are perfect for vegetarians. You will find all the b12 you need, all the protein and all the iron with the benefit of a natural laxative. Do your internet research on the two to confirm what I am telling you. Best of luck. Pass along the chlorella and spirulina information to your friends who share you meatless diet. They will thank you for it.

[hathor]

I used to get most of my protein from meat substitute products but about 95% of them have gluten in them so I am concerned about where my protein will come from. I assumed that cheese and eggs would be the best choice.

About meat substitute products containing isolated soy proteins (basically another reason not to want them other than the gluten ) -- Open Original Shared Link

Protein needs and availability in plant products, etc. --

Open Original Shared Link (particularly the first article)

You can also read on that site, and others, just how good (or not -- my conclusion) cheese and eggs are for your body. Your choice. Just don't feel you have to have them, particularly if you find yourself suffering from having them.

It isn't that uncommon for people to be intolerant to both gluten and casein. You may wish to see if you are in that category. Even if you tolerate casein, it is harder for your gut to cope with and could aggravate it until you've managed to heal. If you are having more dairy than you did before, I am not surprised that you might be suffering because of it.

Of course, there could be cross-contamination. People on this forum have mentioned having problems with Amy's products before.

Also, you have only been on this diet for a short time. It can take weeks or even months for things to get on an even keel. It took me three weeks for my gut to begin to be more like normal (well, what I've always heard was normal but never experienced before).

You could cut out the casein and see how you feel. If you are feeling fine, challenge with the casein. Have dairy every meal for two days and see ...

[redwolfgirl]

Thanks for the great information. When I became a vegetarian 15 years ago, it was for moral reasons, not health ones. I am not the most healthy vegetarian there is. I drink lots of Mountain Dew and do not eat as well as I could.

Realizing that I have a problem with gluten is hard enough but to think I would have to possibly stop eating eggs and cheese is a bit overwhelming. I am a convenience eater and that would mean I would actually have to take the time to take care of myself. Yikes!

I must say that I have always wanted to be a strict vegan, for my moral reasons, but could never quite do it. I am a very picky eater and do not like many foods but cheese and eggs have always been foods I really liked.

I think discovering my gluten problem has been a bit of a wake up call for me and I appreciate you suggestions.

RedWolfGirl

[hathor]

Yeah, I found it easier to give up dairy and eggs when I couldn't digest them anymore I've still occasionally had them, and then felt ill. I guess my Enterolab testing shows I shouldn't be having them at all.

As you get older, your tastes may change. (Of course, you may call yourself a "girl" and be as old as I am ) Anyway, there are a lot of foods I didn't like when I was younger that I really enjoy today. And foods I loved years ago and now either don't like or can't eat without getting sick. (Oh, dear, I loved cheese omelets -- if I had one today, it would make me sick for a week.) You have to go with how your body feels ... and maybe push the envelope a bit toward trying more healthy fare, since you do want to feel good.

Do soft drinks bother your system? Your gas and bloat could come from those, couldn't they?

You might try a food & symptom journal and see if you can tease out what makes you feel bad.

I'll try not to sound too much like the mother I am

[redwolfgirl]

I feel so good after going gluten-free I am not as motivated to checking my tolerances for eggs and dairy.

I am a very picky eater and it gets worse as I get older (I am 40). I was raised on bland food such as hamburger and tuna helper, canned veggies and other tasteless wonders.

I KNOW I need to quit drinking the large amounts of Mountain Dew that I consume each day. More of my calories come from MD than from food. Quiting MD will be very, very hard and I will miss it more than any gluten containing food I am missing right now.

I have never let me 3-year-old have soda because it is so bad for him. I should take my own advice!

RedWolfGirl

[tarnalberry]

Even if you are casein intolerant, you wouldn't necessarily have to give up eggs, as they aren't dairy at all. (I still enjoy them quite often. )

At this point, it's been a week - your body needs more time, and less processed foods that risk contamination.