Vegan Who Believes She Has Celiac Disease

[Cinnamon7778]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the community and I need help!!! I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia about 6 years ago. My life has changed dramatically. Over the last 3 1/2 years I've been a vegan however in the last 4 months I've noticed serious digestive problems. Even after being diagnosed with fibro and CFS I always felt there was something more to my illness. In this moment, i am unable to eat wheat, gluten, soy, acidic foods, coconut etc. I am at a lost. I am so freaking hungry but I am afraid to eat because of the pain i.e. burning, stabbing, bloating, acid reflux, diarhea, headaches, brain fog etc. I am a vegan what else am I suppose to eat. I wake up starving literally starving and I can't understand it. I am trying to figure this out!!! I went to Barnes and Nobles to buy a book of receipes for vegan who are wheat, soy and gluten free. The sales assistant looked at me as if I were crazy like dame "you are a vegan what else is there". Please help me figure this out. please help me with this thing. I am tired and hungry like right now my stomach is playing its own song. Any advice that is beneficial and geared towards VEGANISM would very helpful.

I wish the best health and recovery for all.

[psawyer]

I can't offer direct help, but there are some members here who are vegans with celiac disease. I'm sure you'll get some help from them.

[tarnalberry]

While yes, I will first say - are you sure that what is best for *YOU* is to continue being vegan? Can you find a middle ground with vegetarianism (even if it's just consciously raised eggs), or incorporating wild-caught fish? I do understand ethical reasons to be vegan, but if one of them is non-violence, you have to consider violence to your body (by not feeding it properly) as well. (I teach yoga; this comes up often in philosophic discussions. )

That said, it may take some engineering of your meals to help you feel better. With so many restrictions, you're going to have to carefully look at the macronutrient composition of everything you're eating to help you get enough protein and fat to keep you feeling full and keep your blood sugar happy. The Open Original Shared Link can help you identify foods that have the highest levels of protein and foods that have lots of fat.

Can you give us an example of what you eat now, so that we might better help?

[Cinnamon7778]

I can't offer direct help, but there are some members here who are vegans with celiac disease. I'm sure you'll get some help from them.

I hope so!! I just ate an apple and it feels like its scraping the inside of my digestive track and stomach. I am hungry!! Thank you very much.

[Cinnamon7778]

While yes, I will first say - are you sure that what is best for *YOU* is to continue being vegan? Can you find a middle ground with vegetarianism (even if it's just consciously raised eggs), or incorporating wild-caught fish? I do understand ethical reasons to be vegan, but if one of them is non-violence, you have to consider violence to your body (by not feeding it properly) as well. (I teach yoga; this comes up often in philosophic discussions. )

That said, it may take some engineering of your meals to help you feel better. With so many restrictions, you're going to have to carefully look at the macronutrient composition of everything you're eating to help you get enough protein and fat to keep you feeling full and keep your blood sugar happy. The Open Original Shared Link can help you identify foods that have the highest levels of protein and foods that have lots of fat.

Can you give us an example of what you eat now, so that we might better help?

Ithank you for responding.

I was eating soy until I noticed the affects I would experiencing. I eat fruits (excluding berries, oranges, grapes, cantelpoe, melons very allergic), veggies, brown rice. gluten and wheat free noodles and spagetti, quinoa and beans. Anything outside of this list causes reactions. I am trying to find other foods to eat and cookbooks as well because this can be boring and frustrating at times. However, because my symptoms are worse I do want to cause my body to go into shock. When I eat meat my body reacts and I have mood swings, brain fog and fatigue. Since becoming vegan I have alittle more enrgy. I actually just started practicing yoga which has helped tremendously with the stiffness, joint pain.

[lizard00]

I have a cookbook called "The Gluten Free Vegan". I'm not vegan, but I bought it because I can't do dairy and I'm allergic to egg whites. I also can't do soy. I've made quite a few of the recipes and they're pretty good. The few things I tried to bake didn't turn out fantastic, BUT... I was just learning to bake gluten-free when I attempted them, so I wouldn't base an opinion off of that.

There is also this site: Open Original Shared Link

She was vegan at one time so she has quite a few recipes that either are vegan or can be adapted to be so.

Hope that helps!

[lizard00]

I was eating soy until I noticed the affects I would experiencing. I eat fruits (excluding berries, oranges, grapes, cantelpoe, melons very allergic), veggies, brown rice. gluten and wheat free noodles and spagetti, quinoa and beans. Anything outside of this list causes reactions.

I went through something similar to what you are experiencing very early in my diagnostic process. Everything I ate hurt. My safe foods were plain chicken, rice, bananas, and potatoes. I ate this for probably a week or two and was scared to deviate. If there are foods that you know do not cause you problems, stick with just those for a small amount of time. When you are feeling better, try one new thing at a time. I had to get the inflammation in my gut down before I could try new stuff... it's frustrating, but was well worth it. The longer I was gluten-free, the better things got.

[Cinnamon7778]

I went through something similar to what you are experiencing very early in my diagnostic process. Everything I ate hurt. My safe foods were plain chicken, rice, bananas, and potatoes. I ate this for probably a week or two and was scared to deviate. If there are foods that you know do not cause you problems, stick with just those for a small amount of time. When you are feeling better, try one new thing at a time. I had to get the inflammation in my gut down before I could try new stuff... it's frustrating, but was well worth it. The longer I was gluten-free, the better things got.

Thank you very much for responding.

The site you advised seems very interesting. I am going to try the quinoa dish it looks delicious or maybe I am just hungry! LOL. It is frusstrating but i am ready and willing to make the necessary changes. I am also going to check out the book as well

Thank you.

[Cinnamon7778]

I went through something similar to what you are experiencing very early in my diagnostic process. Everything I ate hurt. My safe foods were plain chicken, rice, bananas, and potatoes. I ate this for probably a week or two and was scared to deviate. If there are foods that you know do not cause you problems, stick with just those for a small amount of time. When you are feeling better, try one new thing at a time. I had to get the inflammation in my gut down before I could try new stuff... it's frustrating, but was well worth it. The longer I was gluten-free, the better things got.

Does the individual of Karina's kitchen have a cookbook? The receipes look so good.

[FMcGee]

I hear you. Almost everything I eat hurts as well. I just posted a recipe in the "In a Food Rut" thread on the baking and cooking forum for my new favorite thing: tapioca with coconut milk. It's like the only thing I can eat right now that doesn't hurt, so I'm making it in huge batches and eating it a few bites at a time (because that seems like all I can manage keep down comfortably). All that's in the tapioca is the tapioca, water, and coconut milk (plus anything you want to eat it with, like strawberries; there isn't any sugar in the recipe, so you could add whatever you want).

Can you handle avocados right now? That's a good way to get nutrition and they're satiating.

I really hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted!

[Lau3turtle]

Hello! Fellow vegan with Celiac here! Karina's kitchen has great recipes, I'm so glad someone sent you there. I just found her recently through Twitter.

The list of what you can eat is similar to what I do eat, except I don't think I am allergic to any fruits anymore, and I do occasionally have a little soy. But I'm not sure how complete the list of what you can have/cannot have is. Can you eat lentils? Vinegar? Nutritional yeast? Wild rice? Amaranth? Tapioca? Millet?

Also, what are you interested in making to eat? Is there a dish you would like to have that you can't figure out how to make?

If you are only concerned with getting the best possible nutrition, eat a wide variety of what you know is safe (i.e. have some red quinoa or black, instead of only common "white" quinoa all the time, same with other foods that naturally come in other shapes, sizes and colors).

By eating a wide variety of non-glutinous grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables I've found that I feel great, and I never get bored with my food, I'm always finding new recipes to try. I've made this easier for myself by following a bunch of food bloggers on Twitter, and I figure out how to make the dishes that appeal to me gluten-free and vegan if the recipe isn't already.

[FMcGee]

Actually, if you e-mail me, I can send you tons of recipes. I was just flipping through this folder I've been using to collect gluten-free recipes, and there is a lot there. If you do that, make sure you let me know again what you can and can't eat (or don't like). Some of my recipes use honey but you could just substitute white sugar or maple syrup or agave. My e-mail address should be on my profile; I'll send them as attachments, because I have them on my computer. I haven't tried them all, so some of them might not be any good!

Also, have you tried House Foods Tofu Shirataki noodles? They're just noodle-shaped tofu, and they're really easy on the insides.

[Lau3turtle]

(I'm sure most people know this, but to avoid any potential confusion I'd like to state that tofu is made from soy.)

Early on in my recovery, and after I get glutened or casiened (which rarely happens) I stick to brown or white rice noodles that are cooked soft, red lentils, cooked to the consistency of refried beans, banana based baked goods, hemp milk, and corn tortillas. I try to incorporate as many vegetables as I can, but unfortunately when I am sick I can't handle a lot of fiber, and my usual salads and the like tend to make me feel sick. So the vegetables tend to be boiled with the lentils, or some rice. I'd rather have a salad, but eating some vegetables is better then none at all.

This is just what I have found that works for me, but I would look towards soft, cooked foods at first, until you get some relief.

You mentioned eating an apple, and it didn't feel good. You might try baking apples, or chopping them up and making applesauce. Homemade soups are another good way to get nutrition.

[FMcGee]

(I'm sure most people know this, but to avoid any potential confusion I'd like to state that tofu is made from soy.)

Right! I did know that, I just spaced on her saying she had a soy problem. My bad entirely. Sorry!

[Cinnamon7778]

Hello,

I actually just ate some wheat and gluten free pasta with seame oil and steamed veggies. I also took a digetive enzyme and probiotic formula before eating and so far my stomach is not bothering me as much. I am going to the market to pick up some items to begin this new way of life. The transition to becoming vegan was something but I have a greater cause to stick the rules of eating to LIVE not to DIE. I love Karina site. She has some amazing receipes and of course I am going to try one tonight. I'm actually very anxious and excited. I am unable to eat vinger and nutritional yeast I am not sure what millet and tapioca are made of but i will investigate. It feels good not to be alone on this new journey of eating differently I was begiinig to feel alittle coo coo you know. I am new to this so I am not sure about what I would like. But, do you have some advice on some good receipes. I would appreciate it very much. Thank you for your response and continue to strive for recovery and optimal health

Hello! Fellow vegan with Celiac here! Karina's kitchen has great recipes, I'm so glad someone sent you there. I just found her recently through Twitter.

The list of what you can eat is similar to what I do eat, except I don't think I am allergic to any fruits anymore, and I do occasionally have a little soy. But I'm not sure how complete the list of what you can have/cannot have is. Can you eat lentils? Vinegar? Nutritional yeast? Wild rice? Amaranth? Tapioca? Millet?

Also, what are you interested in making to eat? Is there a dish you would like to have that you can't figure out how to make?

If you are only concerned with getting the best possible nutrition, eat a wide variety of what you know is safe (i.e. have some red quinoa or black, instead of only common "white" quinoa all the time, same with other foods that naturally come in other shapes, sizes and colors).

By eating a wide variety of non-glutinous grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables I've found that I feel great, and I never get bored with my food, I'm always finding new recipes to try. I've made this easier for myself by following a bunch of food bloggers on Twitter, and I figure out how to make the dishes that appeal to me gluten-free and vegan if the recipe isn't already.

[Cinnamon7778]

Thank you

I noticed when I eat salad more than once a week it tends to make my bowels water so I limit the amount I eat. I am also unable to eat any corn or it derivatives as I get shortness of breath, itching and digestive upset. God do I miss corn bread and dipsy doodles LOL. I will definitely cut up the apples in small pieces but I don't think I'll eat applesauce! YUCK to mushy.[

quote name='Lau3turtle' date='Jun 5 2009, 12:15 PM' post='538113']

(I'm sure most people know this, but to avoid any potential confusion I'd like to state that tofu is made from soy.)

Early on in my recovery, and after I get glutened or casiened (which rarely happens) I stick to brown or white rice noodles that are cooked soft, red lentils, cooked to the consistency of refried beans, banana based baked goods, hemp milk, and corn tortillas. I try to incorporate as many vegetables as I can, but unfortunately when I am sick I can't handle a lot of fiber, and my usual salads and the like tend to make me feel sick. So the vegetables tend to be boiled with the lentils, or some rice. I'd rather have a salad, but eating some vegetables is better then none at all.

This is just what I have found that works for me, but I would look towards soft, cooked foods at first, until you get some relief.

You mentioned eating an apple, and it didn't feel good. You might try baking apples, or chopping them up and making applesauce. Homemade soups are another good way to get nutrition.

[Lau3turtle]

I have found some good recipes on the following blogs, but they are not all vegan or gluten free blogs/recipes. The recipes may need modification to suit your needs. Let me know if you find one that you want to make, but need to sub. out an ingredient. I do that all the time, so I might be able to help you find something that works.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

The squirrel one isn't recipes but it has useful information, links, reviews, etc.

I pretty much only follow recipes to the letter for baking. For regular cooking I take recipes and modify them to suit my tastes, the tastes of my dining companion(s), or to work around a food allergy or intolerance.

[cyberprof]

Cinnamon, I was also going to suggest Karina. Not vegan myself, but I love Love LOVE her recipies.

But if you want my opinion, I would not try any new foods right now, and would keep a food diary.

Raw or uncooked fruits and veggies may be making you hurt. Some people find that they have to eat little, small, cooked food meals for a while until they heal a bit.

Might I suggest eating a really plain diet for a few days: rice (white or brown), rice noodles, bananas, plain potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, cooked apples (saute them in a little bit of apple juice or canola oil), baked pears. Don't put spices on things. Don't eat things that are hard to digest like beans, broccoli etc. Don't try new grains. Just a few things, eating rice for breakfast or a baked potato for lunch. See if you can go a few days without pain or reactions.

Then the elimination diet is to try something new, one thing at a time -- that way you can tell what made your stomach upset. Add something new every five days if you have no reaction.

There were several vegans on here...maybe they'll chime in.

[Cinnamon7778]

Unfortunately, avocadoses and coconut are a no no! I purchased some quinoa and other items from the market. I am going to try it tonight and see what happens. I hope you feel better. Just don't give up. Recovery and optimal health is possible. Just believe. Take care

quote name='FMcGee' date='Jun 5 2009, 11:24 AM' post='538095']

I hear you. Almost everything I eat hurts as well. I just posted a recipe in the "In a Food Rut" thread on the baking and cooking forum for my new favorite thing: tapioca with coconut milk. It's like the only thing I can eat right now that doesn't hurt, so I'm making it in huge batches and eating it a few bites at a time (because that seems like all I can manage keep down comfortably). All that's in the tapioca is the tapioca, water, and coconut milk (plus anything you want to eat it with, like strawberries; there isn't any sugar in the recipe, so you could add whatever you want).

Can you handle avocados right now? That's a good way to get nutrition and they're satiating.

I really hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted!

[Cinnamon7778]

Thank you so much.! I was getting ready to prepare an amazing Karina's kitchen quinoa meal. But, I will take your suggestion and keep it light and simple. I can't eat potatoes but I can do sweet potatoes. Wow, this seems like alot. I ate some almonds and alittle while after i had an amzing headache. But its subsided. TOnce again, thank you for the advice. I'll start my diary tonight.

Cinnamon, I was also going to suggest Karina. Not vegan myself, but I love Love LOVE her recipies.

But if you want my opinion, I would not try any new foods right now, and would keep a food diary.

Raw or uncooked fruits and veggies may be making you hurt. Some people find that they have to eat little, small, cooked food meals for a while until they heal a bit.

Might I suggest eating a really plain diet for a few days: rice (white or brown), rice noodles, bananas, plain potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, cooked apples (saute them in a little bit of apple juice or canola oil), baked pears. Don't put spices on things. Don't eat things that are hard to digest like beans, broccoli etc. Don't try new grains. Just a few things, eating rice for breakfast or a baked potato for lunch. See if you can go a few days without pain or reactions.

Then the elimination diet is to try something new, one thing at a time -- that way you can tell what made your stomach upset. Add something new every five days if you have no reaction.

There were several vegans on here...maybe they'll chime in.