"non-Healthy" Celiacs

[Katrala]

This is a question for those celiacs whose only concern is making sure food is gluten-free. No other real concerns - not even eating "healthy," "natural," or "whole foods only."

Those of us who still eat processed foods, junk foods, etc. as long as they are gluten-free.

How has being only gluten-free made you feel?

For me, it's been the long-term effects. I assume after 7 months I'm absorbing more food, which is making symptoms such as weight loss and hair falling out stop. The only attention I pay to what I eat is to make sure it is gluten-free and hasn't been CC'd (I pretty much bring my own food everywhere, etc.) I'm sure if I wanted to really be healthy with my eating I'd feel a lot better, but that goes for anyone - celiac or not - who decides to stop eating processed crap.

Pretty much, I'm looking for feedback where the only variable is gluten-free.

[Booghead]

Well I'm only gluten free and I don't care much about health foods I suppose. I am also dairy free to an extent. I eat processed foods that are gluten free. So far I like most of them except for minin frozen gluten free pizzas made on a rice crust. Yuck. I eat candy. So far when we go out to eat I eat french fries... not healthy at all. And I am feeling like I just got gluttened from somes that I just finished eating. What I wonder about is people that are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan. Rocks my world to think about that. Silly people god put animals on earth for us to eat. Why else would cows exist? to hug?

Sorry to everyone I offended. Feeling a little woozy and I do think vegans are a smidge silly, but hey I live in Utah. Every meal includes a piece of meat.

So far Gluten free makes me feel better stomach wise. But right now I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself, but it will pass. I'm pretty new to be gluten free and I'm sure it will take some time.

Ha- I can call myself a non healthy celiac now.

[Katrala]

@ Booghead - do you concern yourself with CC, etc?

How long have you been gluten-free?

[burdee]

Well I'm only gluten free and I don't care much about health foods I suppose. I am also dairy free to an extent. I eat processed foods that are gluten free. So far I like most of them except for minin frozen gluten free pizzas made on a rice crust. Yuck. I eat candy. So far when we go out to eat I eat french fries... not healthy at all. And I am feeling like I just got gluttened from somes that I just finished eating. What I wonder about is people that are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan. Rocks my world to think about that. Silly people god put animals on earth for us to eat. Why else would cows exist? to hug?

Sorry to everyone I offended. Feeling a little woozy and I do think vegans are a smidge silly, but hey I live in Utah. Every meal includes a piece of meat.

So far Gluten free makes me feel better stomach wise. But right now I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself, but it will pass. I'm pretty new to be gluten free and I'm sure it will take some time.

Ha- I can call myself a non healthy celiac now.

I'm gluten, dairy, soy, egg, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg free ... but only because blood (allergy) tests diagnosed those allergens and my painful reactions from accidental consumption of those foods corroborated the allergy test results. I tell everyone I'm a meat eating vegan LOL (no dairy or eggs, but I eat all kinds of meat). That infuriates true vegans, but I only avoid dairy and eggs to prevent excruciating gut pain (which lasts for 1-2 weeks after consumption) and whatever physical damage is caused by those allergen reactions. However, I've found tasty substitutions for all my allergens.

I've never been big on fast food, after working too many years at Pizza Haven and Dairy Queen (during and after college). Nevertheless, I'll still make allergy free versions of many fast food favorites (fries, pizza, burgers, etc.) at home. Most of all I love to bake, especially after I recently discovered 2 new allergy free baking books which are both free of 5 of my 7 allergies.

However, I eat any foods which don't contain my allergens, which luckily are usually ingredients, rather than specific foods like my husband's allergies to blueberries and grapes (which we grow in our yard). I love vegies and fruits, but I also love meats and grains. I love nuts and legumes, but I also love cookies, cakes, pies and allergy free 'ice cream' (either store bought or my own cashew based version).

I don't need to restrict my diet any more than absolutely necessary (according to diagnosed allergies) to stay healthy. I just eat a variety of foods, because I like a variety of foods. Most of all, I listen to my body and eat when I'm hungry what sounds good to me, but stop when I'm comfortably full. I suffered enough bloating and cramping pain all those years when I was undiagnosed. Eating beyond comfort or starving myself or unnecessarily restricting myself according to some health fad seems silly. Life is too short.

[Lisa]

Gluten free is my only concern at this time. I also consider myself in Celiac Remission. I live a normal, healthy life as would anyone my age.

If I did not have Celiac Disease, I would still have slightly elevated cholesterol, since I have that genetic tenancy and I have a family history of heart disease. I try to eat well and not exasperate those issues with my behavior. But, not because I have Celiac Disease, rather because of my family history.

I have been gluten free for six or seven years and have found that it takes a cumulative, repetitive exposure to gluten for me to react. A one time occasional exposure does not render me symptomatic. It is never deliberate on my part.

I feel fortunate, considering that seven years ago I could not leave my home, speak a full sentence, walk a straight line and thought I would not see my daughters married. I now have a two year old granddaughter who does not walk, but runs... I'm keeping up!

I have been doing the "diet" for a very long time and it took me a very long time to figure it all out. Just ask the old timers! A few are still around. A pure gluten free diet is quite complicated. And the learning curve is steep. It took me months to fine tune my knowledge and hence my health. Once you have managed to remove that last bit of gluten, you can then begin the healing process, which will take months, again or perhaps longer. And when I say that, I mean to take all reasonable safeguards to what you consume. Don't let it consume your life. Life continues. Press on.

Diligence, patience and time will lead you to good health. And after that, if unresolved...go to "Plan B".