Goddd I Need Some Help!

[Brett31m]

What's up, all. I'm 22 yr old female, been diagnosed and gluten free for about nine months now. I am an active student, waitress in a fast-paced restaurant, etc, but am having a real issue keeping my weight down. My jeans feel so so tight, my body is starting to look/feel very fleshy but I just CANNOT lose the mindsets of:

--Eating whenever I possibly can, even though I'm not hungry because I'm afraid that I'll be absolutely starving if I can't find gluten-free food wherever my day takes me

--Being afraid to get really hungry because when I get super hungry my stomach blows up like a balloon and I get painful gas for the rest of the day (for some reason? anyone have guesses why these things happen?)

--How pissed off I am at what the rest of my life is going to be like, thus eating whatever the f I want

--Feeling limited and entitled

Don't judge guys! I know I sound like an angry princess, I think I'm just taking this kind of hard. I have a high-stress life, am working multiple jobs, paying for school etc., and just can't find motivation to change my (what feels like already so limited) diet to a healthier one. I love gluten-free pasta, mashed potatoes, and gluten-free sweets, so that's also a problem with keeping my weight down..

Not sure what I'm looking for as far as responses---kind of just hoping I'm not alone

[Dixiebell]

Hi Brett31m.

No, you are not alone. This is a good place to come and vent.

It is a good idea to take snacks with you when you go out.

As for foods, Tink'yada pasta is very good, homemade mashed potatoes should not have any gluten in them, I boil potatoes, drain, add milk, butter, salt and pepper and use my hand mixer to 'mash' them. You can also add garlic powder and cheese. Also Idahoan makes potato flakes that say gluten-free on the label and they also have some flavors that are gluten-free (check the back of the label). You can search on here for gluten-free candy lists.

[Darn210]

Brett, I understand what you are going through. When my daughter went gluten free, I over-compensated with extras treats . . . ice cream, candy, whatever. I did not want her to feel deprived. If she was someplace where all the other kids got a cookie, then she got something later that was twice as good/bigger/unhealthier. Once she got use to the diet I started scaling back on things. Of course, it's easier to control your child's diet than your own . . . that phrase "I deserve this" often goes through my mind.

OK, so just a few ideas . . . carry something with you. Leave it in you car if you have one so that it isn't immediately available to eat just because you are bored but it's there if you really get hungry. Don't make it something like a snickers because once you buy one of those, it just calls your name over and over until you eat it. Make it something that you like just OK and is shelf stable so it can stay there for a while . . . for me, this is the glutino breakfast fruit bar thingys or a lara bar or maybe even a box of chex cereal. Then you know you've got something safe and don't have to eat when you aren't hungy in case there is nothing later.

For treats, buy individual sized items . . . like the lunch sized version of chips or the cups of ice cream. I can sit down and eat a third of a full size bag of chips and not even realize it. If I had to get up and get another package of chips each time in order to equal the same amount, it would certainly make me more aware. If I dish up my own serving of ice cream, it would look nothing like the recommended serving on the side of the ice cream carton.

Personally, I can't give up treats. If I do, it's just a matter of time before I feel deprived and then I go overboard. I do the best I can with portion control and moderation.

I also know that if I make sure I've had a decent serving of protein with all my meals. It makes me less hungry in general. Peanut butter is pretty shelf stable, too and tastes just fine off of a spoon . . . or an apple if you've got one. They even have little to-go packs if you needed to throw one in your purse to have "just in case".

[hnybny91]

When I first went gluten free I didn't care what I put in my mouth as long as it was gluten free. Figuring out that I was not able to eat gluten at least made me stop GAINING weight but it was not until I cut out all of the gluten free substitutions and eventually ALL grains that helped me to start LOSING weight. I follow more of what they call a "Paleo" diet now and the weighth is steadily coming off.

[CarolinaKip]

Brett, I understand what you are going through. When my daughter went gluten free, I over-compensated with extras treats . . . ice cream, candy, whatever. I did not want her to feel deprived. If she was someplace where all the other kids got a cookie, then she got something later that was twice as good/bigger/unhealthier. Once she got use to the diet I started scaling back on things. Of course, it's easier to control your child's diet than your own . . . that phrase "I deserve this" often goes through my mind.

OK, so just a few ideas . . . carry something with you. Leave it in you car if you have one so that it isn't immediately available to eat just because you are bored but it's there if you really get hungry. Don't make it something like a snickers because once you buy one of those, it just calls your name over and over until you eat it. Make it something that you like just OK and is shelf stable so it can stay there for a while . . . for me, this is the glutino breakfast fruit bar thingys or a lara bar or maybe even a box of chex cereal. Then you know you've got something safe and don't have to eat when you aren't hungy in case there is nothing later.

For treats, buy individual sized items . . . like the lunch sized version of chips or the cups of ice cream. I can sit down and eat a third of a full size bag of chips and not even realize it. If I had to get up and get another package of chips each time in order to equal the same amount, it would certainly make me more aware. If I dish up my own serving of ice cream, it would look nothing like the recommended serving on the side of the ice cream carton.

Personally, I can't give up treats. If I do, it's just a matter of time before I feel deprived and then I go overboard. I do the best I can with portion control and moderation.

I also know that if I make sure I've had a decent serving of protein with all my meals. It makes me less hungry in general. Peanut butter is pretty shelf stable, too and tastes just fine off of a spoon . . . or an apple if you've got one. They even have little to-go packs if you needed to throw one in your purse to have "just in case".

I really like these ideas for you!

First, I don't judge other pecause I don't think others should judge me. I think it's normal that you are angry! Be angry, I know I was! I was angry and sad for awhile. I think I've let most of that go now. Now, I feel socially left out at times, but I'm working on it.

I only bloat up with gas when I eat corn,CC gluten or fruit that messes with me. I ate alot of gluten-free replacement foods at first and gained. I think everything in moderation. I do better with a whole foods diet. I however, do treat myself now with a snack size bag of lays plain chips. Two pieces of dove chocolate. I eat a treat once a week, and find I have less problems that way

What I do because some of my days are really busy. Take that one hour etc you may have some time on the weekend to pack individual food. Fruit, veggies that can be dipped in individual ranch or peanutbutter. I like to be mostly grain free(pizza once a month) Cook alot at a time and freeze in small packs. Invest in a good thermo and cool packs, lunch bag that you can pack in thea.m. or p.m. and run with it. Right now I keep cocoa pebble bars, individual rice packs and natural friut ropes in my desk at work. I keep one in my purse too. I don't eat them everyday, but have them as my "what if" go to food.

I am dealing with being celiac a little better now. I'm learning how to cook a lot and now don't feel so left out.

[GlutenGladi8or]

Not sure what I'm looking for as far as responses---kind of just hoping I'm not alone

If you have time (sounds like you're busy, and I waited tables for decades as my parents are in the restaurant business), try and list what you eat in a typical day and I'll give you more guidance there.

Start with what you eat first thing in the morning, all snacks, and all beverages.

We're all here to give you support.

[Brett31m]

Wow, you all are amazing people..thank you so much for your responses.

I know my whole problem is that I don't like a lot of foods..I'm a picky eater and tend to do the same things over and over.

Hmm...a typical day of eating for me...

SCHOOL DAY

Morning: A bowl or two of Chex cereal with 1% milk, pick up some sort of coffee on my way to class (been trying to do just ice coffee and skim milk with no sugar)

at some point a ThinkThin bar, maybe some grapes, almonds and/or a banana to keep in my purse

Lunch: A bison burger (very lean), gluten free bun, and ketchup (oh, and water throughout the whole day)

maybe grab a gluten-free cookie at this bakery down the street..or a Snickers bar

Dinner: Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta (maybe 6 oz) and tomato sauce, glass of 1% milk

WEEKEND

Morning: A bowl or two of Chex

Afternoon: veal medallions with tomato sauce and mozzarella (was really salty, but delish at this particular restaurant)

Dinner: gluten-free wings, chicken, tomato and kalamata olives with pasta and chicken, flourless choc cake

Haha, it looks so awful when I type it all out

[Takala]

Haha, it looks so awful when I type it all out.

Oh, that's okay, that's a typical diet for a female before we get sick on it.

You seem to be a bit low on the green vegetables there.

.....been trying to do just ice coffee and skim milk with no sugar)

So you're eating a low fat breakfast, and running out of energy before noon, eating some fruit, some more carbs and protein, and then by midafternoon, must have a hit of sugar and chocolate. Then eating more simple carb grains and more tomato sauce, little protein or fat. Hmmm.

[GlutenGladi8or]

Wow, you all are amazing people..thank you so much for your responses.

I know my whole problem is that I don't like a lot of foods..I'm a picky eater and tend to do the same things over and over.

Hmm...a typical day of eating for me...

SCHOOL DAY

Morning: A bowl or two of Chex cereal with 1% milk, pick up some sort of coffee on my way to class (been trying to do just ice coffee and skim milk with no sugar)

at some point a ThinkThin bar, maybe some grapes, almonds and/or a banana to keep in my purse

Lunch: A bison burger (very lean), gluten free bun, and ketchup (oh, and water throughout the whole day)

maybe grab a gluten-free cookie at this bakery down the street..or a Snickers bar

Dinner: Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta (maybe 6 oz) and tomato sauce, glass of 1% milk

WEEKEND

Morning: A bowl or two of Chex

Afternoon: veal medallions with tomato sauce and mozzarella (was really salty, but delish at this particular restaurant)

Dinner: gluten-free wings, chicken, tomato and kalamata olives with pasta and chicken, flourless choc cake

Haha, it looks so awful when I type it all out

Usually I have a beef (pun intended) with many folks diets that are low in protein. But, you seem to have yours in check AND with lean meats (very smart). Watch out for wings as they are F-A-T-T-Y usually.

I'm with the other poster though -- that you need more leafy greens/veggies/fresh fruit. Those will do wonders for your diet and metabolism. And watch out for grapes as they are really high in sugar.

Opt for some fresh fruit with fat free Greek yogurt in the mornings.