Food More Satisfying?

[Rivka]

I am new to being gluten-free but I have some thoughts on what is happening to me and wondered if they make any sense to anyone else. Up until a few years ago I was always thin, but eat huge amounts of food. I'm talking like 3000 calories a day because I always felt like I was starving. Granted a few years ago I finally began putting on weight and am now over weight but not unbelievably so. Well, in the short time (week) of finally being gluten-free, I find I am eating half that amount and am deeply satisfied with my meals. I find I do need to split them up over 4 or 5 small meals as I tend to get a bit shaky. Anyway, here's my theory, for the previous 39 years of my life, I was starving and I had to eat insane amounts of food to get enough nutrition. Now that I am no longer eating gluten, which is poisonous to me, my body can begin to absorb nutrients for the first time and I no longer need to eat so much. Are sudden improvements really possible? I know I'm not feeling perfect by any means, but I don't feel like I am dying anymore!!! I am starting to wonder if it is possible to live a pain-free life....

Wondering what others have experienced in the early days and if you have any suggestions for me.

Thanks!!

Rivka

[ShayFL]

All things are possible Rivka! Yes, your observation and analysis is correct. You are very fortunate to be responding so quickly. Yeah!!!

[gfpaperdoll]

I am 61 & I live a pain free life!!!

I had a broken knee three years ago, major surgery, 2 metal plates & six screws in my knee, not only do I walk without a limp, I have no pain what-so-ever. My surgeon is amazed!!! I need to call him, he is supposed to write me & my gluten-free diet up in the medical journals - since I still do not have debilitating arthritis in that knee (or anywhere else!) like he predicted!!! :)

I had been mostly wheat free for 10 years, thinking I had a wheat allergy (along with all my other food allergies) & gluten-free for 1 year when I broke my knee. I hiked 10 miles the day before... I quit taking pain meds 2 days after surgery & started taking 2 regular Advil. had surgery on Friday went for a check up on Monday & the doctor & staff had their mouths hanging open because I was off pain med. I tried to get them to go gluten-free, but... Evidently this was some fancy complicated surgery because several doctors came to watch it. One of the doctors came by my bed when he left & said "as tough as you are, you will not have any problems with recovery" !!!

Our health depends on the food that we eat!!!

So, yes I am sure you will have a beautiful pain free life.

[samcarter]

Yes, food is definitely more satisying now that I'm off gluten. I had a compulsive eating disorder all my life--from childhood on (even ate dirt as a kid, not just once, but many times). I would always binge on the carbs, eat a carb heavy dinner and still be looking around for food. I was never super thin, but I never got heavily overweight, either.

Now i can eat a gluten free meal and be DONE. I can't tell you what a relief that is. To eat just, say, a baked potato with cheese, and some vegetables and not be hunting around the kitchen for more food. During the first week, I was still coming off the gluten and I did overeat on gluten free treats. But the cravings for desserts and snacks has gone way down. Like you, I have found I need more frequent, small meals. This morning I had brown rice with walnuts and raisins and some soy milk for breakfast, then 1 1/2 hours later found myself very hungry for a yogurt. And that satisfied me, whereas in the past I'd be thinking, "That wasn't enough food."

I'm convinced gluten is a drug and makes those of us sensitive to it get the munchies.