Losing Weight - Not Good!

[alamaz]

I've only be gluten-free for about 5 weeks and have definitely made a few mistakes along the way. My concern is that I'm losing weight. I've never had a weight problem so losing weight isn't exactly a good thing. Is this normal in the beginning? I'm feeling a little better as in my hair isn't coming out in clumps in the shower and I have more energy most days but my BM's haven't improved much as I still have D every morning. Anyways, I'm more worried about the weight today. I've lost about 8 pounds in five weeks..... Should I be concerned?

Amy

[dally099]

I've only be gluten-free for about 5 weeks and have definitely made a few mistakes along the way. My concern is that I'm losing weight. I've never had a weight problem so losing weight isn't exactly a good thing. Is this normal in the beginning? I'm feeling a little better as in my hair isn't coming out in clumps in the shower and I have more energy most days but my BM's haven't improved much as I still have D every morning. Anyways, I'm more worried about the weight today. I've lost about 8 pounds in five weeks..... Should I be concerned?

Amy

oh dear, i know what the weight loss is like, are you allergic to something that maybe your not aware of? one of the things i found with the gluten-free diet is that the food is very low in fat and calories. and if your active this can be a challenge. im not allergic to dairy as far as i know so i accually started to eat more ice cream and add sour cream to a lot of my food. i know it sounds gross to some but its a way of tacking some fat into your diet, i would still maybe go see your doc though and make sure that it isnt something more serious.

GOOD LUCK!!

[alamaz]

well, I know I tested positive for casein, soy, eggs and yeast through Enterolab so I haven't had much to eat outside of balanced meals three times a day and maybe some fruit and nuts for snacks. Very little sugar and/or baked goods also. I'm just find it odd that I'm losing weight while I read about most people on the gluten-free diet start to gain since they were so malnourished to begin with. AArughhhh! I don't WANT to go back to the doctor I swear I go to the doctor more than my great grandmother.

[loraleena]

Sound like you are on a really low carb restricted diet. It would be normal to lose weight. I was put on the candida diet that cut out a lot, and I lost 18 lbs in 2 months and I was normal weight to start with. Sounds like you need to eat more of what you can.

[lorka150]

alamaz,

when i was first diagnosed, i started losing significantly. i am 5'7'', and lost weight so fast - i bottomed out at 78lbs, and i am not a very tiny build (small to medium). i went to the doctor weekly for 7 months. i was in the hospital. it was horrible. don't let it get to this. you should make sure you are eating a proper diet. i'm studying dietetics, so i didn't go see a nutritionist, but if you aren't sure, please see a dietetian.

[alamaz]

I have my first appt. with a nutritionist this week. I know I'm losing still because pants I wore last summer that were too tight in september I wore yesterday and they looked like potato sacks on me. i am having trouble figuring out what to eat that's for sure. right now the only time i seem to have a normal bm is when i eat soup and something like rice cereal for breakfast. i'm assuming my insides are so damaged they are having trouble digesting food in general. i cut out nuts and that seemed to have helped a little bit. i was just wondering if other people experienced weight loss at first.

Lorka- that must have been scary to lose so much weight so fast! glad you got it figured out!

Amy

[Cynbd]

Hi Amy,

I have been gluten-free for almost five months. I was losing weight before going gluten-free due to all the D and my fear of eating. Since going gluten-free, I have still lost more weight, and it was really beginning to scare me too.

I found intially after going gluten-free that I felt really great, then after about a month I was beginning to have problems with certain foods gluten-free foods and I lost another 5 lbs. I don't put a single thing in my mouth without looking it up first, and making sure I am safe, so I was really disappointed, frustrated, and angry when I was still having D issues.

In the past 8 weeks, which I have been doing really good, I haven't dropped any more weight, and I haven't gained any either. I seem to have leveled out.

Like dally099 said, if you are more active then it is more challenging.

I began to really pay attention to how many calories I was eating everyday. Once I started looking at that I could really see why I was losing. (that is once you figure out the D issues)

Once you figure out what is still making you sick, and you find the foods you are safe with, stick with those for a while so you can start to heal and feel better.

I eat so much healthier now, but to add fat to my diet I eat more avocados, some of the rice pastas, and chocolate. Sometimes I do a chip/salsa thing. Since I stick to whole/fresh foods, I find the fried foods, and heavy fat foods make me feel tired and horrible.

Also, I get really full fast, so if I eat too much at one meal I feel awful, and may not eat the rest of the day due to feeling full all day. So now I eat smaller meals more often so I can get the calories in.

Figuring out what is causing your problems is the hardest part. Like many have said on this board -- stick with fresh fruits, meats, and veggies. After you level out you can start trying new things, and adding stuff that you like.

I wish you the best,