Body Building, Protein Bars/shakes

[slcceliac]

Like a lot of celiacs, I've always been skinny and it's been impossible for me to get my weight above 180 lbs (I'm 25 yo and 6'3"). After being on gluten free diet for almost two months, and lifting weights for 4 months, I finally gained 11 lbs of muscle.

I discovered an excellent protein powder that I mix with lactose free milk. It's Essential Natural 100% protein made by Iron-Tek (www.iron-tek.com) and it has 22 grams of protein per serving. It tastes great, especially if you add some fresh or frozen fruits. The bottle it comes in even says "NO: yeast, wheat, gluten, preservatives, artificial flavors, artificail sweeteners or artificial color"

Now I'm seaching for high protein, low sugar bars and I can't find any that are gluten free? Any advice?

[Guest Damo]

Sorry, I don't yet know of any of those things but thanks for the weight gain tip. I'm 19 and have been around 55-57kgs (125lbs) for about three years so as you could guess I really want to put some weight on now that I'm starting to go gluten free.

[Coltrane]

I am new to this forum and new to the avoiding gluten game. I have been working out regularily for about 2 years. I started at 5'11" and 129 lbs., and with a lot of eating, I have gotten up to 150 lbs. However, even with eating close to 5,000 cals/day, I have not been able to gain any more weight. I recently did research on gluten sensitivity, and I am trying the gluten-free lifestyle to see if that makes a difference. It is encouraging to hear of other who have gained weight after going gluten free.

I do not know of any protein bars that are low sugar/gluten free. Most protein bars are pretty crappy and high in sugar, so I stick to shakes.

Sorry, I don't yet know of any of those things but thanks for the weight gain tip. I'm 19 and have been around 55-57kgs (125lbs) for about three years so as you could guess I really want to put some weight on now that I'm starting to go gluten free.

[slcceliac]

However, even with eating close to 5,000 cals/day, I have not been able to gain any more weight. I recently did research on gluten sensitivity, and I am trying the gluten-free lifestyle to see if that makes a difference. It is encouraging to hear of other who have gained weight after going gluten free.

Coltrane, are you a diagnosed celiac?

I was in the same boat, and like I said, it was impossible for me to get past 180lbs. If you do have celiac and are on gluten free diet, your villi (which are finger like projections in your small intestine - their function is to absorb nutrients and provide some enzymes for digestion) will start regenerating and you'll be able to absorb the nutrients from your food. Before going gluten free, I would eat ridicilous amount of protein, minimal amount of simple carbs like sugar with no results... I would also suggest taking Centrum Multivitimin to help with any possible nutritional deficienies...

I found Odyssey protein bars (I have actually consumed them before going gluten free) . They taste decent and are gluten-free, but are processed in a plant that processes wheat??? Should I be concerned about cross-contamination???

[Coltrane]

I am not a diagnosed celiac. I am going to see my Dr. in the next few weeks to talk about getting tested. I know what you mean about eating lots of protein and not adding any weight. I eat very clean, and I monitor my macronutrient intake very closely. The fact that I was basically eating a body builders diet last summer and not gaining weight made me think that there might be more at play than just a fast metabolism. I am currently taking GNC Mega Men multi-vitamins, but I will look into the Centrum. I assume that those are gluten free, if you recommend them. Thanks for the info.

Coltrane

Coltrane, are you a diagnosed celiac?

I was in the same boat, and like I said, it was impossible for me to get past 180lbs. If you do have celiac and are on gluten free diet, your villi (which are finger like projections in your small intestine - their function is to absorb nutrients and provide some enzymes for digestion) will start regenerating and you'll be able to absorb the nutrients from your food. Before going gluten free, I would eat ridicilous amount of protein, minimal amount of simple carbs like sugar with no results... I would also suggest taking Centrum Multivitimin to help with any possible nutritional deficienies...

I found Odyssey protein bars (I have actually consumed them before going gluten free) . They taste decent and are gluten-free, but are processed in a plant that processes wheat??? Should I be concerned about cross-contamination???

[johnsoniu]

I knew it, I go away on vacation for 1 week and the topic I've been waiting for pops up!

Anyhoo. I was dx'd two months ago. Weight down to 111 lbs and in hospital from lack of nutrients, basically I was not absorbing anything.

Started gluten free diet and began a high intensity weight lifting program. Took a couple weeks to work up to 5000 cals a day, but have maintained that for about 6 weeks. I don't do junk food for calories either. I do about 45%carbs, 40% protein and 15 % fat. Weighing in now at 140 on my 5'8" frame, normal weight before dx was about 125. I figure if I can gain that with a damaged digestive system, I should be able to gain another 15-20 lbs once I'm healed up.

I use EAS 100% Whey protein for my shakes and Met-Rx big 100 and Protein Plus bars. The Met-Rx are gluten free but are made in a facility that also processes wheat. I called them and they told me the bars are processed on seperate lines, so CC risk should be minimal. CC from a shared facility is basically up to how much risk you are willing to take. Met-Rx also makes an Xtreme Mass protein powder that is gluten free that I'm thinking about trying. I'm not sure about the sugar content of the Met-Rx bars.

Centrum multi-vitamins are gluten free, except for Centrum Silver.

So to sum up, yes it is possible to gain weight/muscle mass on the gluten free diet. Just plan ahead and stick to your plan. Good luck, hope to hear back from you guys.

[iluvfupa]

There are lots of recipes online to make your own protein bars, might want to pick up some gluten free oats though.

[RiceAddict]

I've been eating Cliff bars for snacks for a while now, they are pretty good. I just noticed in the store over the weekend that Cliff makes a protein bar as well, only had one flavor though. It has 20g pro and 30g carbs. I got a couple to try and they are not as tasty as regular Cliff bars in my opinion, but they taste alright and I'm happy to eat them to get more prot and fewer carbs than the regular bars. I'm not into body building (see my scrawny pic) so I don't know if this is a lot of protein or not.