Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

When You First Went Gluten Free, Did You Lose Weight?

Prezwilson15

Recommended Posts

Prezwilson15 Newbie
Prezwilson15
Posted

I notice I've still been losing weight and am wondering if when you went gluten free if you lost weight?

I would guess it's from not eating empty calories from breads, bars, cakes etc.

If you lost, how much did you lose? How long before it started normalizing?

Paula

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • Replies 57
  • Created
  • Last Reply
rachbomb Rookie
rachbomb
Posted

I lost weight after I switched to a gluten-free diet. My doctor was pretty upset with me but I wrote it off that I was now eating all whole foods and basically no carbs (except for occasional rice and corn chips). He did have me start tracking calories though and I figured out that while I was full I was not consuming as much as I should be but it has now stabilized. In all, I lost 15 lbs since starting the diet (5-10 was ok by me!) and I stopped dropping after 2-3 months.

sleer Contributor
sleer
Posted

Did you start losing weight immediately?

alex11602 Collaborator
alex11602
Posted

It took me about 3 months to stop losing too and I lost about 40 lbs, my weight has pretty much stabilized in the last month. That may be because I mostly lived on pasta and crackers before because I thought bland food would be good for my belly :lol:

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I lost 20 lbs my first month. I had it to lose however, as gluten makes me gain weight instead of wasting away. My weightloss stopped when I added carbs back into my diet (I had cut out all grains and all sugar as part of my elimation diet).

txplowgirl Enthusiast
txplowgirl
Posted

I have always been overweight and couldn't lose it no matter what I did. When I went gluten free it wasn't to lose weight but get rid of all the other problems I had. D, migraines, tingling, depression, stomach pain, anxiety, etc.

Losing weight was a shock. I went from 235 to 160 and it has stabilized. That's 75 pounds and I wasn't even trying. Took almost 2 years. But that's because I realized I was super sensitive. Can't really eat any of the gluten free processed foods. I have to stay with mainly whole foods. Plus finding out I have other food intolerances might have helped to.

Gfreeatx Apprentice
Gfreeatx
Posted

I lost about 10lbs in the first few months, but gained about half of it back once I started to figure out everything I could eat.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


julandjo Explorer
julandjo
Posted

Like others mentioned, I started out overweight. I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. Once I went gluten free I still ate the same # of calories (I'd been tracking for a while and continued when I went gluten-free), but the weight started dropping off. Quickly at first, then slower. I'm 17 months in and have lost 55 pounds. I went from a size 16 to a size 6. I'm at a great weight now. My body was hanging on to every calorie I ate because the Celiac damage had left me malnourished. Now that I can absorb nutrients I'm so much healthier. Who would have ever guessed I was fat due to malnourishment?! :P

stellinpa Newbie
stellinpa
Posted

I notice I've still been losing weight and am wondering if when you went gluten free if you lost weight?

I would guess it's from not eating empty calories from breads, bars, cakes etc.

If you lost, how much did you lose? How long before it started normalizing?

Paula

I lost weight as soon as I eliminated Gluten. I figured it was because I was eating more regularly. I lost 10lbs in the first month and have kept it off.

I did read somewhere that some people lose wt. and some gain wt. I'm glad I'm on the 'losing side'

Menic Apprentice
Menic
Posted

I've lost about 30 lbs. (which I had to lose) over the course of a year. I think this is mostly attributable in my case to no beer and no fast food anymore. Cooking non-processed foods and making my own healthy meals has mostly been the culprate of my loss.

jemms Apprentice
jemms
Posted

since being off dairy and gluten I have lost 40 lbs. I still want to (need to) lose about 50 lbs. right now my weight has bee at a standstill...I hope the weight loss will kick in again.

angel9165 Newbie
angel9165
Posted

I thought I might but gee, I found enough really good gluten-free food that I haven't. B)

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

i lost 25ish before i started and am still loosing weight and not even trying :/

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

When I first went gluten-free (prior to my gluten challenge) I gained weight as I was in panic mode and ate weird processed things I normally would not such as potato chips. Then I went back on gluten for my challenge and after my celiac diagnosis in February have lost a few pounds but need to lose more. I do not eat processed junk and must work hard to lose weight. I guess it does not help that I love to bake! In fact, I bake more now than I ever did before (and I have always loved baking). Must put a stop to this madness. :lol:

BaldurBen Newbie
BaldurBen
Posted

About six months after I was diagnosed (Nov. 2006) I had lost fifteen pounds. Now that my diet is more varied, I've probably gained about five of those back and stabilized there.

Poppi Enthusiast
Poppi
Posted

I lost 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks and then stabilized at 129. After years and years of my weight swinging wildly between 125 and 150 it hasn't budged in 3 months now.

deinanthe Newbie
deinanthe
Posted

Yes, I lost weight after being diagnosed last year. Anyway, I'm down about 20 and still losing gradually, which is great because I have it to spare and am very happy to lose a healthy pound or two a week. Back when I was still having gluten and unaware of the whole celiac thing, I think the biggest thing that brought on my weight gain was that I would get nauseous if I got hungry. The hungrier I was, the more nauseous I was, to the point of getting sick to my stomach. Needless to say, I didn't let myself get hungry if I could help it. And for some reason, that made me gain weight. ;)

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

Losing weight without trying was the first symptom my PCP took as real. I had lost 20 lbs. in just a few months.

I was diagnosed on June 28th of this year and have been trying to eat things that are healthy. I'm still losing weight. I didn't know if was due to malabsorption..or lack of breads/cookies/ etc. in my diet? I mostly eat fruits and veggies, and meat, some rice.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

I always think I lost more than I did (keep messing up my actual weight with how much I lost, LOL), but looking to make sure I'm not screwing up...

I lost 50 pounds in the first 6 months (I was about 50 pounds overweight, though). Over the next few months, it fluctuated between about 5 pounds, up or down, and then finally dropped another 10 pounds within 5 months.

Since then, we think we've figured out the pattern. If I get glutened frequently, my weight starts to climb, no matter what I eat or how many calories. If I don't eat gluten, my weight drops rapidly into 'woo hoo skinny!' and stabilizes there. But if I eat any of the foods we realized I am allergic to, then my weight keeps dropping (lots of D) and the weight doesn't stabilize.

I got too skinny, really, until we figured everything out. I've gained a little from my lowest weight, at this point. :-)

mamabear272 Explorer
mamabear272
Posted
Who would have ever guessed I was fat due to malnourishment?! :P

I feel the same way! I never would have guessed (nor would anyone else) that I was malnourished!

I re-started Weight Watchers in Jan and from then till my dx in June I lost 7 lbs. When I got dx, I dropped 6 lbs in 3 weeks. I think I've put some on in the last couple of weeks but that's cause I spent some time eating gluten-free junk! I'm starting back today using WW simply filling plan. It consists of "power foods" which are fruits, veggies, lean meats, fat free milk, etc.

Brooksbelle Newbie
Brooksbelle
Posted

3 weeks in and down 7 pounds without even trying. My appetite has stabilized; before going gluten-free I always felt this weird mix of bloating/nausea/hunger all the time. I still need to lose a few pounds too--so I'm happy about the weight loss. =)

CarolinaKip Community Regular
CarolinaKip
Posted

I had lost a lot of weight before going gluten-free. I didn't lose anymore once I went gluten-free. I started to gain 3 months gluten-free and now have gained 10 pounds. I needed to gain some of it back, but now trying to stable my weight. I don't eat a lot of gluten-free replacement foods or junk. I believe in treats every now and then :)

AmyE Newbie
AmyE
Posted

Unfortunately I have lost about 5 lbs which is alot being as I am already about 10lbs underweight. I want to gain some weight. I feel I am wasting away because so many foods cause me pain. It's ironic because I am a recovering anorexic and when I was mentally sick, I didn't want to eat over fear of gaining-----now it's not my mental state, but my physical state. Ain't life one giant irony!!!

okieinalaska Apprentice
okieinalaska
Posted

Didn't lose a pound! But I was a bit overweight before and still am although weight watchers is now helping with that.

Jungle Rookie
Jungle
Posted

I gained 10 lbs in the first two months (and wasn't trying to gain or lose) Now after 4 months gluten-free we are back to normal again.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,154
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kathy N
    Newest Member
    Kathy N
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thanks so much! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I have osteopenia and have cracked three vertebrae.  Niacin is connected to osteoporosis! Do talk to your nutritionist and doctor about supplementing with B vitamins.  Blood tests don't reveal the amount of vitamins stored inside cells.  The blood is a transportation system and can reflect vitamins absorbed from food eaten in the previous twenty-four to forty-eight hours.  Those "normal limits" are based on minimum amounts required to prevent disease, not levels for optimal health.   Keep us posted on your progress.   B Vitamins: Functions and Uses in Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9662251/ Association of dietary niacin intake with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women in the US: NHANES 2007–2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835798/ Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/   Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398893/ Nutritional Consequences of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/15/4/61 Simplifying the B Complex: How Vitamins B6 and B9 Modulate One Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Beyond https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9609401/
    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
    • knitty kitty
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @JudyLou,  I have dermatitis herpetiformis, too!  And...big drum roll... Niacin improves dermatitis herpetiformis!   Niacin is very important to skin health and intestinal health.   You're correct.  dermatitis herpetiformis usually occurs on extensor muscles, but dermatitis herpetiformis is also pressure sensitive, so blisters can form where clothing puts pressure on the skin. Elastic waist bands, bulky seams on clothing, watch bands, hats.  Rolled up sleeves or my purse hanging on my arm would make me break out on the insides of my elbows.  I have had a blister on my finger where my pen rested as I write.  Foods high in Iodine can cause an outbreak and exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. You've been on the gluten free diet for a long time.  Our gluten free diet can be low in vitamins and minerals, especially if processed gluten free foods are consumed.  Those aren't fortified with vitamins like gluten containing products are.  Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, medicine, or vitamins? Niacin deficiency is connected to anemia.  Anemia can cause false negatives on tTg IgA tests.  A person can be on that borderline where symptoms wax and wane for years, surviving, but not thriving.  We have a higher metabolic need for more nutrients when we're sick or emotionally stressed which can deplete the small amount of vitamins we can store in our bodies and symptoms reappear.   Exposure to gluten (and casein in those sensitive to it) can cause an increased immune response and inflammation for months afterwards. The immune cells that make tTg IgA antibodies which are triggered today are going to live for about two years. During that time, inflammation is heightened.  Those immune cells only replicate when triggered.  If those immune cells don't get triggered again for about two years, they die without leaving any descendents programmed to trigger on gluten and casein.  The immune system forgets gluten and casein need to be attacked.  The Celiac genes turn off.  This is remission.    Some people in remission report being able to consume gluten again without consequence.   However, another triggering event can turn the Celiac genes on again.   Celiac genes are turned on by a triggering event (physical or emotional stress).  There's some evidence that thiamine insufficiency contributes to the turning on of autoimmune genes.  There is an increased biological need for thiamine when we are physically or emotionally stressed.  Thiamine cannot be stored for more than twenty-one days and may be depleted in as little as three during physical and emotional stresses. Mitochondria without sufficient thiamine become damaged and don't function properly.  This gets relayed to the genes and autoimmune disease genes turn on.  Thiamine and other B vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed to replace the dysfunctional mitochondria and repair the damage to the body.   I recommend getting checked for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  More than just Vitamin D and B12.  A gluten challenge would definitely be a stressor capable of precipitating further vitamin deficiencies and health consequences.   Best wishes!    
    • trents
      Have I got coeliac disease

      By trents · Posted

      And I agree with Wheatwacked. When a physician tells you that you can't have celiac disease because you're not losing weight, you can be certain that doctor is operating on a dated understanding of celiac disease. I assume you are in the UK by the way you spelled "coeliac". So, I'm not sure what your options are when it comes to healthcare, but I might suggest you look for another physician who is more up to date in this area and is willing to work with you to get an accurate diagnosis. If, in fact, you do not have celiac disease but you know that gluten causes you problems, you might have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test available yet for NCGS. Celiac must first be ruled out. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small bowel. NCGS we is not autoimmune and we know less about it's true nature. But we do know it is considerably more common than celiac disease.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.