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Is Cheating A Possibility At All On This Diet?

Jamie

By Jamie
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted

Hi, I was just diagnosed last Tuesday with bloodwork. I have been gluten free since Wed. I don't feel much different. I was wondering.. what would happen to me if every once and a while I cheated on purpose(special occasions.. things like that)... or if I accidentally ate something with a trace of wheat in it...

Before being diagnosed my symptoms were only gas, bloating and constipation. Does this mean I can handle cheating every now and then because my symptoms aren't severe... or can handle it if accidentally gluten gets into my food (cross contamination.. ect)... I know some people react badly and get really sick.

I am new to this, am researching everything, but still don't understand it all yet. Anything you could help me with would be great.

-Thanks

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MySuicidalTurtle Enthusiast
MySuicidalTurtle
Posted

Hello! Well, I am sorry to say that this is a no cheating game. I was shocked when I found that out, but to be healthy and not damage our bodies we have to be 100% gluten-free 100% of the time. Also, after you are gluten-free for awhile, it will hurt sooooooooooooo much worse when you eat gluten. It is a scary thing and not worth it at all.

Gluten to us is poison. That is hard to imagine at first, but it is true. It damages our insides. This doesn't mean you have to miss out on things. There are gluten-free substitutes for pretty much everything, even beer. There are places we can eat out in but it takes awhile to get this lifestyle figured out. Start off slow and learn what you can and in a few months you'll feel more comfortable and a lot better.

Good luck!

tom Contributor
tom
Posted

I spent a few years in the 90s thinking a little was ok if I had no symptoms or easily manageable ones.

It ended up costing me 7-8yrs of my life.

Some CC may be unavoidable, but it'd be a (potentially huge) mistake to do what I did.

curlyfries Contributor
curlyfries
Posted

Welcome Jamie! :)

Sorry......no cheating whatsoever! A celiac is a celiac......whether the symptoms are extreme or mild or none. The damage done by gluten will be the same. Accidents will happen, especially at first, but you don't want to do it intentionally. You may find that once you are gluten free, your symptoms when glutened will be more severe. Your body will have realized what it feels like to be gluten-free, and will have none of that! <_<

You haven't been gluten-free long. It may take awhile for you to feel a difference. You may also find that other health issues you didn't think were related begin to improve. Keep reading. You will learn a lot here. :D

Here is a good site to start with

Open Original Shared Link

Let us know if you have any other questions!

pele Rookie
pele
Posted

I heard it explained by a NP recently that by the time symptoms occur, your body has been struggling to cope with gluten damage for a long time. Symptoms just mean that your immune system can't take it anymore. Cheating is not worth it.

rinne Apprentice
rinne
Posted
...

Before being diagnosed my symptoms were only gas, bloating and constipation. Does this mean I can handle cheating every now and then because my symptoms aren't severe... or can handle it if accidentally gluten gets into my food (cross contamination.. ect)... I know some people react badly and get really sick.

.... -Thanks

Hi and welcome. :)

I knew for many years that wheat did not agree with me, my symptoms were your symtoms, gas, bloating and constipation and so for the most part I did avoid wheat BUT for special occasions I would still eat it knowing that for a day or two I would feel bad. One day that changed and now the slightest bit of gluten causes me agony.

You are extremely fortunate to have a diagnosis at this point , believe me you don't want to go where I went. :)

I am wondering how you got your diagnosis?

MELINE Enthusiast
MELINE
Posted

Before diagnosis I would eat huge amounts of gluten. Now the slightest trace makes me sick for at least 24 hours.

When something is making us sick, the problem is not that we can't go out for a drink (for example..) . The problem is that the whole body is struggling at the time to cope with an invisible enemy. Your whole immune system is shuting down in order to deal only with the enemy. So that means that you are left in the war without a weapon. ....

Nature is wise. When our bodies ache, it is because we HAVE to know that something is not going well.

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luvs2eat Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

Nope... there's no cheating on the gluten-free diet... simple as that.

I used to hope I might be able cheat occasionally, but the longer I've been gluten-free, the more sensitive I've become. I would NEVER, EVER intentionally cheat now... EVER!!!

gfwb Newbie
gfwb
Posted

One of the hardest social situations is trying to get non celiacs to understand that celiac isn't like diabetes or a weight-loss diet. You can just cheat and take more insulin or work out a little harder. I almost think it is harder for celiacs like yourself--who didn't suffer complete systemic symptoms. After having anemia, hair loss, rickets, migraines, etc., cheating doesn't even look like fun. Hopefully, you'll start to see a big improvement in the quality of your life on a gluten-free diet, so that cheating won't be an attractive option.

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted
  • Author

I am wondering how you got your diagnosis?

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

If you feel that a definite confirmation of the diagnosis (via biopsy) would help you adhere to the diet, then it may certainly be worthwhile.

Which blood tests were positive?

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted
  • Author
If you feel that a definite confirmation of the diagnosis (via biopsy) would help you adhere to the diet, then it may certainly be worthwhile.

Which blood tests were positive?

My doctor called me and all he said was .. you have Celiac disease ... your blood work came out great.. but your anti bodies are abnormally hight toward gluten... everything else is perfectly in range

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

It may be helpful to have a follow up appointment to talk with your doctor about the next steps, and get a copy of your bloodwork as well.

Jamie Contributor
Jamie
Posted
  • Author
It may be helpful to have a follow up appointment to talk with your doctor about the next steps, and get a copy of your bloodwork as well.

Do you think there is a possibility that I have gluten intolerance... and not celiac?

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted
Do you think there is a possibility that I have gluten intolerance... and not celiac?

Unfortunately, there is no way to know that without knowing what blood tests were run and what the results are, and discussing that with your doctor.

UnhappyCoeliac Enthusiast
UnhappyCoeliac
Posted

I dont have much to add, been to a special dietitian specializing in coelicas asked if birthday xmas etc i could cheat, she answered like most here.... never

its all about alternatives I think

rinne Apprentice
rinne
Posted
....

I had blood work done and my antibodies were high toward gluten. Is that def celiac right there? Or should I get an endoscopy just for a second opinion before making this life change?

I would take it as a diagnosis but then I don't like tests. :) As Laura said you could ask for an endoscopy but since your doctor was conclusive in his/her diagnosis perhaps just discussing it would be a good start. On the other hand, an endoscopy may provide a picture of the damage that is done, but for you to have one you would have to continue to eat gluten until then as once we stop consuming gluten we start to heal.

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