My Taste And Smell With Food Is Off - Part Of Nausea?

[Nuala]

I am on week two of gluten free. Luckily, I have a long-standing interest in nutition, which has been helpful, in the process of remaining gluten-free. I must admit, I made an error in eating chinese food the other day, totally slipped my mind that the sauces, esp soy would have a gluten component. I felt so bad the next day, that it showed what improvement I made even over the two weeks, that I had not originally noticed, because it was so gradual. I can actually focus my eyes, and don't feel like I am in a complete fog all the time.

I am also a thyroid disease sufferer (hypo) and have been confounded as to why after treatment my "brian fog" had not lifted. Well, now I know that gluten intolerance was mimicing some hypo symtoms.

Anyway, I had tried to go gluten free last month, but gave in after 6 days due to the severe dizziness and nausea. I felt a palpible sense of relief after I ate a large quantity of pretzels. During the desperation period, I searched the web looking for "withdrawal" symptoms and going gluten free. I only half thought that it could exist, and to my surpise it does! Wow!. I wish someone had mentioned it to me.

Well, I am back at try two, and know my life it at stake. It is the only thing keeping me from nibbling on all the goodies around the house - filled with gluten. I have reached again the nausea phase. I feel "gaggy" all day, hungry but simultanouesly repulsed at the actual look, smell and taste of food.

I am wondering if anyone else has had such a reaction? Food tastes off, for instance, I just tried a piece of cheese, and it tasted nasty. The meat cooking this evening smelled rancid and made me sick to look at. I ended up having a piece of gluten-free bread, which was not too bad. I guess I should stay on a bland diet for the time being?

Any advice on this phenomeon welcome, and also and info on how long this might last. Fortunately, I have not felt dizzy this time, but maybe that is around the corner...though I hope not!

[Darn210]

I'm not sure this will be of much help, but I did read somewhere on here that people needed to make adjustments to their meds . . . especially something like thyroid meds where the dosage is determined by blood tests and your bodies response. As your gut heals, you will do a better job of absorbing your meds. Do any of your symptoms act like your getting TOO much of any of the medications that you are on. It may be too early for this type of situation so keep it in mind for later down the road. And I wouldn't change your meds without talking to your doctor. Just a suggestion. Good Luck and stick with it!

[loco-ladi]

I still remember week 2...... vividly I also had a bit of the same things you do.

Look ahead to week 3 if you follow my footsteps anyways, thats when the craving will start in full force.... use these to your advantage, you crave those pretzels go find some but make sure they are gluten-free (gluten free) its a task in itself but worth the effort (I am munching on gluten-free pretzels even now) I got tired of fritos and plain old chips so went and found me some. the first bite was a bit of a shocker but, after a few they taste more and more like the ones back in the "olden days".

and might I just say ......

go Nuala, go Nuala, you can do it!

[Nuala]

Thanks for your replies!

I dont think it is due to my thyroid medication, but I am keeping an eye on it. I take my thyroid medication sublingually, so I don't have to worry about any malabsoprtion issues. I still don't have any dizziness this time around after I started gluten-free again, so who knows what happened.

Yep. The craving are definately getting more intense. I did try the gluten-free pretzels the other day, bough a small bag, since I wasn't prepared to part with 6 bucks for a full sixed bag. I could imagine being satisfied with them. I have been trying to stick with popcorn, but the variety of "crunchy" snacks is definately lacking. I am still 30 pound overweight which I put on about 4 years ago when the thyroid function totally ceased. I am not yet on a high nenough dose or my body's metabolism has not yet responded to the thyroid meds. I can't lose no matter what I do. So.....potato chips and other fatty gluten-free snack alternatives are definately out, which, incidentally, I would LOVE to be eating. I have tried the baked chips, but they are not as satisfying. Same with french fries. I guess I will just have to get used to the idea that convenience food is no longer an option for me, and I will have to make my own oven fries from fresh potoates sprayed with a little non stick spray, for instance, and make my own baked goods.

Well, I have always wanted to cut out the processed foods and go totally "healthy", and now I have my wish! Though it is a lot more difficult and time-consuming than I imagined.

thanks for the cheer, loco_ladi I am going to try my best.

[JNBunnie1]

If you're getting bored with other snacks, try taking sweet potato and slicing very thin width wise, then bake flat on a cookie sheet ( I use melted butter on both sides) til dry on top, flip, bake til crispy. Much more yummy than almost any snack you can think of.

[Nuala]

That sounds great! I had not even considered the sweet potato. I am down in Florida, so it is still warm here and I have not really gotten into my autumn mindset and associated foods. I am sure it will be yumm!

[JNBunnie1]

That sounds great! I had not even considered the sweet potato. I am down in Florida, so it is still warm here and I have not really gotten into my autumn mindset and associated foods. I am sure it will be yumm!

Oh, my, well, I might wait til using the oven wouldn't be a life threatening proposal......

Also, for some reason, dried apricots have always been my favorite 'nongluten' snakc food, when I crave something gluteny. If it's really bad, then it's chocolate covered apricots.....