Thirsty After Going Gluten Free

[Eliza13]

Hello everyone!

Since going gluten-free (about 3 weeks now) I have noticed some improvements, but I have also noticed some things that aren't necessarily the greatest. One thing is that I seem to be very thirsty with dry mouth, and feel like I have 24 hour bad breath. Has anyone else experienced this???

One other q'n....gluten-free also ends up meaning sugar free, since we are eating less processed foods that are usually laden with sugar. My q'n is: Is it bad to have NO sugar and simply rely on fruits (say 2-3 per day) and carbs????

Skar

[plantime]

I don't know about your first question, but I can answer your second! The answer is "no". It will not hurt you at all to completely do without processed sugar. Your body will utilize the sugars that are naturally in other foods, and will probably be healthier for it. Sugar is a form of energy, just like carbs. Your body will convert the carbs into energy for you. If you think about it, sugar has not been around for all of eternity in the form we use it in. Cavemen didn't process sugar cane, beets, and maple sap just for the sweetness. They ate the fruits and veggies in their natural state. We can do that, too, it is just a matter of wanting to.

[KaitiUSA]

How much water do you drink every day? When you get thirsty that means you are already low on water. Maybe try drinking 8 glasses of water a day and see if that still stays with you.

For the 2nd ?- It won't hurt you...processed sugars are bad for you. The fruits have a natural sugar that is better for you anyway.

[Guest Viola]

Yes, being thirsty is a problem with me when I've gotten into an accidental contamination. As well as the awful fuzz mouth. However, being thirsty is a possible sign of diabetes ... have you been tested? Perhaps you will want to eliminate that possiblility first!

[angel-jd1]

Thirst can also be a sign of other things such as thyroid troubles. Keep an eye on it.

-Jessica

[skbird]

Also, if you cut a lot of carbs you will experience exactly those symptoms. People on Atkins, especially when they first start have a lot of issues with being thirsty and bad breath. They call it "low carber breath". I don't know the science behind it but it does happen. I don't *think* it happened to me but I did chew a lot of gum during the time I was low carbing. Also drank *a lot* of water.

It might just be an adjustment phase you are going through.

Take care

Stephanie

[ianm]

The bad breath from a low carb diet comes from your body switching from burning carbs to burning body fat for energy. I experienced this when I went on the Atkins diet. Once I got to the maintenance stage the bad breath went away because you switch from a diet that is mostly fat and protien to one that has a balance of protien, fuits and vegetables. I was always thirsty before the gluten-free diet but don't experience it now. Not eating processed sugar is a good thing. That is not sugar in its natural form.