Struggling With Energy

[Pawl]

I've been gluten free for 2 years now, I'm a self diagnosed celiac but there is a very strong genetic link in my family. Both my grandpa and father have been diagnosed. Currently I'm suffering from low energy and kinda a feeling in my head that is similar to a low sugar condition after exercise. I find myself fatigued after the end of a general day of work and completely exhausted after a hard day of work or play. I did have a relapse on gluten 2 weeks ago accidently eating a sandwich that was made from wheat bread, could this still be affecting me?

Also I know I'm not getting enough calories during the day, I find it very challenging to get enough calories each day I think I'm currently eating about 1,000-1,500 a day. What I eat is always healthy but I'm finding it hard to get up to 2,400 calories a day eating gluten free. I'm feeling discouraged right now and lonely in my struggle even though I have supportive family it's still my struggle. Perhaps a community like this will be comforting.

Does anyone else just feel dizzy and fatigued, or am I just loosing it!

Fyi I'm 32 male 6' 160#

[ncteacher]

Yep, I'm very new to this, and I was practically singing cheers that I didn't have the horrible pain in my abdomen and that I was able to make it through a day's work without doubling over in agony. Then, I noticed the lack of energy. I'm a teacher, so I must keep my brain on all the time, which can be tough when that brain decides to run out of steam halfway through.

I'm not eating any processed foods and whole foods never quite seem to satisfy. I've heard from many on these forums that I'm withdrawing from gluten, not getting the complex carbs I used to, and that patience and healing were the order for the next few months. So, I will do my best as I wait for better results. This isn't fun, but it stills beats the alternative.

All the best!

PS. 38 male, 6', 210 lbs

[Pawl]

For the next week or so I'm gonna count calories and see where I'm at I ate more today and felt better. I think I've actually gotten used to eating half the calories i used to and thats not good.

[Takala]

Y'all need to eat what you can digest, but the easiest way to get "staying power" on a lower carbohydrate diet is to increase your consumption of high quality proteins and good fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil or coconut milk, eggs, nuts, hard cheeses if you can tolerate dairy, gluten free dark chocolate, avocados, mayonnaise, etc.

[mushroom]

Takala is right. I have craved protein and fats ever since I went gluten free. I sometimes (like today) just have a bacon and two eggs lunch. Sometimes I will eat a whole avocado with bacon in a BLA samdwocj (can't have the "T" ) These are the nutrients we have not been absorbing. I generally let my body tell me what it needs (Now whether or not it needs bacon is another story but I love it)

[dani nero]

I've been gluten free for 2 years now, I'm a self diagnosed celiac but there is a very strong genetic link in my family. Both my grandpa and father have been diagnosed. Currently I'm suffering from low energy and kinda a feeling in my head that is similar to a low sugar condition after exercise. I find myself fatigued after the end of a general day of work and completely exhausted after a hard day of work or play. I did have a relapse on gluten 2 weeks ago accidently eating a sandwich that was made from wheat bread, could this still be affecting me?

Also I know I'm not getting enough calories during the day, I find it very challenging to get enough calories each day I think I'm currently eating about 1,000-1,500 a day. What I eat is always healthy but I'm finding it hard to get up to 2,400 calories a day eating gluten free. I'm feeling discouraged right now and lonely in my struggle even though I have supportive family it's still my struggle. Perhaps a community like this will be comforting.

Does anyone else just feel dizzy and fatigued, or am I just loosing it!

Fyi I'm 32 male 6' 160#

Since you're self-diagnosed I'm guessing you didn't check your vitamin/ mineral levels or if you might be anemic.. or your kidneys and so on to make sure everything is working?

Last year I was cold day and night.. people would look at me like I'm some kindof loon because I would look like an Eskimo wearing a winter coat in class.. even though I ate so healthy and exercised regularly I was still always tired and cold. It turned out to be anemia.

The amount of calories you consume is not hard to remedy. Lots of healthy foods out there with high energy like nuts, potatoes, or dark chocolate.

[Bubba's Mom]

I've been gluten free for 2 years now, I'm a self diagnosed celiac but there is a very strong genetic link in my family. Both my grandpa and father have been diagnosed. Currently I'm suffering from low energy and kinda a feeling in my head that is similar to a low sugar condition after exercise. I find myself fatigued after the end of a general day of work and completely exhausted after a hard day of work or play. I did have a relapse on gluten 2 weeks ago accidently eating a sandwich that was made from wheat bread, could this still be affecting me?

Also I know I'm not getting enough calories during the day, I find it very challenging to get enough calories each day I think I'm currently eating about 1,000-1,500 a day. What I eat is always healthy but I'm finding it hard to get up to 2,400 calories a day eating gluten free. I'm feeling discouraged right now and lonely in my struggle even though I have supportive family it's still my struggle. Perhaps a community like this will be comforting.

Does anyone else just feel dizzy and fatigued, or am I just loosing it!

Fyi I'm 32 male 6' 160#

It's possible you are still reacting to the gluten episode. If your reaction includes dizzyness, that means some of your reaction is neurological, and that takes longer to heal.

Dizzyness can also be linked to B vitamin deficiencies, or anemia so a supplement is a good idea. Have you had your vitamin/mineral levels checked? It won't hurt you to supplement with B vitamins, but you should only use iron if you're anemic.

I was eating a mostly meats, non-starchy veggies,and fruits and found that getting enough calories was hard. I had to add fat (coconut oil)potatoes, brown rice and some grain..in the form of cereal. It's still hard for me to get in the 1800 calories I'm aiming for, so I understand your problem.

If you can have dairy that helps add calories too.