Intense Sugar Cravings (Gluten Intolerance)

[krishna]

Hi,

Does anyone here have intense sugar cravings? I'm on a gluten free diet for 5-6 weeks now and I feel like eating cookies, ice-cream and crazy amount of sugar/carbs.. I am in fact going to see my doctor in a week or so to discuss this. I also noticed that whenever I drink milk, I get rapid pulse (~100 beats per minute) which lasts for 30 mins. or so and then I feel sick, lazy, have stomach aches with tightness in my chest for 4-5 days. It's ok when I eat cheese though but milk really messes me up. However, the doc checked me for milk allergies and result was negative. Could I be having lactose intolerance or some other type of reaction to milk? I had Vitamin D deficiency and low Vitamin B12, so maybe there is some malabsorption related to milk going on?.

Thanks!

[Takala]

Take a gluten free multivitamin, a B complex vitamin, and a calcium supplement such as calcium citrate.

Eat more good fats such as nuts, avocado, coconut milk or oil. Eat more vegetables. Eat more real fruit.

If you're reacting to milk, there are lots of milk substitutes out there that are gluten free, such as nut milks, rice milks, hemp milks, etc. Some are sugar free and you can add your own sweetener if you are sensitive to sugar.

The body recognizes shortages of certain nutrients, or a generalized low carbohydrate situation, or the combination of such, in funny ways. For some people, eating a lot of refined white carbohydrates such as rice, potato, tapioca in place of bread can set off some interesting blood sugar spikes and crashes. Try to make your own nut meals and use those for baking, or use the lower glycemic index types of gluten free flours and nut and seed meals.

[txplowgirl]

Hi Krishna,

I agree with everything the other poster said. Those sugar cravings hit me bad about 6 weeks in and it really worried me. I needed, not wanted, something chocolately every single day. I got me some hershey kisses and every day I would eat about 3 or 4 a day. That lasted about 6 to 8 weeks and then one morning I woke up and the craving weren"t there anymore.

So, find something you like and eat just a little bit everyday and soon you're body will say "ok, i've had enough".

Just my opinion.

[krishna]

Hi Krishna,

I agree with everything the other poster said. Those sugar cravings hit me bad about 6 weeks in and it really worried me. I needed, not wanted, something chocolately every single day. I got me some hershey kisses and every day I would eat about 3 or 4 a day. That lasted about 6 to 8 weeks and then one morning I woke up and the craving weren"t there anymore.

So, find something you like and eat just a little bit everyday and soon you're body will say "ok, i've had enough".

Just my opinion.

Thanks guys for the info, I really like this forum I've also scheduled an appointment next week with my doc.. let's see what he has to say about my symptoms and will then keep you guys posted!!

[SGWhiskers]

A lot of us go through a period of having sugar issues. Mine come back every time I get glutened. It seems the more sugar/carbs I eat, the more I want. The best advice I have is to avoid the sugars and carbs and stick with high protien, veggies, and healthy fats for a week or two. That will likely reduce the cravings. Then reintroduce slowly fruits and corn/potatoes/white rice. Take it easy on the sodas, juices, candies and baked goods until your body has time to adjust. I suspect you will be able to add them back in just fine once you are feeling better.

I don't have any advice on the milk issues. Good luck.

[sa1937]

Hi,

It's ok when I eat cheese though but milk really messes me up. However, the doc checked me for milk allergies and result was negative. Could I be having lactose intolerance or some other type of reaction to milk? I had Vitamin D deficiency and low Vitamin B12, so maybe there is some malabsorption related to milk going on?.

Thanks!

Have you ever tried Lactaid milk? I seem to do fine with it but cannot seem to tolerate cheese. I know Lactaid tablets are also available but they don't work for me. I just picked up Dairy-Zymes (made by Bluebonnet) from my local health food store although I haven't tried them yet so I don't know if they would work better than Lactaid tablets.

[WheatChef]

Sounds like you're getting into a dangerously cyclical situation with your blood sugar levels. Milk in general has higher carb levels than most cheese. Hard cheeses for instance can have almost no carbs in them at all, just glorious fat and protein! SGWhiskers's advice is very good.

[fattycat]

Since being gluten free for a couple of months now my cravings for sugar have all but disappeared completely...except for the occasional dark chocolate. I can't ever tollerate the taste of cola anymore! Considering I've had reactive hypoglycemia for years and was suffering from sudden mysterious blood sugar drops this is amazing.

[Missque]

Hello. I know this post is many years old- i checked the date, but wanted to chime in and maybe get it rolling again. I'm only one week in but OMG sugar I need it all day every day; I haven't had cravings like this before. I keep a stash of gluten-free cookies in my drawer at work. I don't know if its my result of just being stressed at work (which theres nothing I can do about it right now) or if its to do with the gluten free diet. I've only cut gluten for a week now, but I never really ate bread or pasta before so I'm not having that as an issue of not eating it now. For me its the hidden items like soy sauce that are more my issue and the occasional things here and there I used to eat before that I'm not eating anymore. I've always taken a multi vit and a few other supplements as well. 

[cyclinglady]

26 minutes ago, Missque said:

Hello. I know this post is many years old- i checked the date, but wanted to chime in and maybe get it rolling again. I'm only one week in but OMG sugar I need it all day every day; I haven't had cravings like this before. I keep a stash of gluten-free cookies in my drawer at work. I don't know if its my result of just being stressed at work (which theres nothing I can do about it right now) or if its to do with the gluten free diet. I've only cut gluten for a week now, but I never really ate bread or pasta before so I'm not having that as an issue of not eating it now. For me its the hidden items like soy sauce that are more my issue and the occasional things here and there I used to eat before that I'm not eating anymore. I've always taken a multi vit and a few other supplements as well. 

It takes about three weeks to get over the sugar cravings.  Be sure to eat healthy fats and proteins to sustain you (butter, avocados, chicken fat, nuts, olive oil, etc.)  You can do it!