Does Gluten Intolerance Interfere With Vegetable Digestion?

[Marleigh]

I've posted a few times lately - sorry if I'm being a pest, but I'm trying to pick my way through whatever illness I seem to have.

One thing that has been holding me back from looking into gluten intolerance is that I seem to have a more sudden/severe reacting to some fruits and vegetables than any other food. I had a salad containing broccoli and cauliflower at lunch today and the bloating and gas is enough to make me consider leaving work early! It's painful and embarrassing. This happens when I eat salad and other vegetables, too - regardless of whether they're mixed with gluten-containing products or not.

I would be SO disappointed if I found out I needed to cut gluten out of my diet, but still couldn't tolerate fruits and vegetables. Does the presence of gluten make digestion harder for these foods? Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer!

[gfmolly]

I've posted a few times lately - sorry if I'm being a pest, but I'm trying to pick my way through whatever illness I seem to have.

One thing that has been holding me back from looking into gluten intolerance is that I seem to have a more sudden/severe reacting to some fruits and vegetables than any other food. I had a salad containing broccoli and cauliflower at lunch today and the bloating and gas is enough to make me consider leaving work early! It's painful and embarrassing. This happens when I eat salad and other vegetables, too - regardless of whether they're mixed with gluten-containing products or not.

I would be SO disappointed if I found out I needed to cut gluten out of my diet, but still couldn't tolerate fruits and vegetables. Does the presence of gluten make digestion harder for these foods? Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer!

I did have that same issue, but for me the gluten intolerance had caused me to have a leaky gut. I needed to be very kind to my gut in order to heal, so I went on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It is very strict, but it helped me heal! I can now eat all foods, (except gluten of course) and have even added some dairy back into my diet. PM me if you want more info on SCD.

Molly

[Ursa Major]

Raw fruit and vegetables are hard to digest. If your intestine is damaged by gluten, you may not be able to digest anything raw.

After I went onto the gluten-free diet I still wasn't able to tolerate anything raw for six months. I had to cook all fruits or vegetables I ate, and was unable to eat even salad without getting a horrible stomach ache and diarrhea.

I suggest you see your doctor and ask to be tested for celiac disease. If you test positive and subsequently eliminate gluten, it may take a while before you can eat anything raw without a problem again. But if gluten is indeed your problem you will be able to eat normally (while being gluten-free, of course) when your intestine has healed.

[Katsby]

Before I took gluten out of my diet I couldn't digest raw veggies at all. I'd get really sick just from lettuce. I was so scared to eat anything at one point because everything was making me sick. After I took out gluten I eased in cooked veggies (about a month ago), and the only thing raw I eat right now is lettuce. I was so happy that I could tolerate it.

I hope it gets better for you.