Erin Elberson

LOL! Thank you! And YAY for weight training! Noura-it's definitely an individual thing with the vinegar-for some people it helps a lot, others it makes worse. Glad you are feeling better though!

Hey Noura! Thanks-yup, that's me. I train with weights 4x/week for about 45 minutes, and cardio for intervals 3-4x week 20 minutes or so. My eats are clean. Training with weights is key for me, as far as body composition. I think eating like an athlete is totally maintainable long term, it all depends on exactly how it's structured. Restrictive eating...

I have had both the chicken and beef chilis and thought they were awesome-very flavorful.

Have you tried the gemma protein powder? It's pea protein, and is a bit thicker (quite a bit) in consistency than the rice. I totally understand-I've mixed protein powder in my oats many times-I like to also do a protein "pancake" with egg white, gluten-free oats, flax seed and berries. (Off topic though-sorry!) I have to admit that I haven't tried them...

Try to head toward naturally gluten free snacks-fruit, nuts, veggies, string cheese if you can do dairy. Food that is naturally gluten free tends to be less expensive.

This. Call or email the manufacturer, inquire about the gluten free status and ask if they could send a sample. Many will. Also, True Protein offers sample packs of their various flavors, you can choose which 5 or 10 flavors you want to try.

Jillian is spot on. Chocolate milk works as well if you can keep it cold, protein powder is convenient and temperature stable. Weight training athletes need higher protein intake for support of current and synthesis of new lean tissue.

L-glutamine is a gluten free ingredient. Glutamine peptides can be, and usually are, sourced from wheat. And yes, they should be listed on the label as such, but I would always check with the manufacturer. BSN for example only recently started listing allergens, so if you have an older container it may not be listed.

So awesome that you guys are doing this. Social support and accountability is a huge part of success! Keep it up

First perhaps recheck with your doctor to see if there is another reason (besides just time to heal the gut) why you're not absorbing. That's the main thing. In the meanwhile, yes, eat more. You are correct-if you're losing weight, 1800 calories isn't meeting your maintenance needs. Consider adding a rice or hemp protein powder/shake into your diet...

I would suggest you first follow up with your doc to get tested for any other food intolerances, parasites, and also to have some levels checked-ferritin, Vit D, B vitamins, and your regular blood panel, and hormone levels as Ken stated. You may also want to meet with a nutritionist if you have deficiencies. Aside from that, the weight training and adequate...

Good stuff here! Kimis, you may want to start by tracking exactly what you are eating now, using a calculator like calorie king, fitday, or sparkpeople. Track everything that you put in your mouth, no exceptions, no "eating good" because you're tracking, for a few days. This way you can see exactly where you are at. Most often people are taking in far...

Hi Evi, Missy'smom gave some good advice. I completely agree on avoiding many of the processed gluten free foods. Try to focus on naturally gluten free foods like meats, cheeses (if you can do dairy), yogurt, (greek yogurt is awesome-thick and high in protein), fruits/veggies, nuts and nut butters, rices, potato, sweet potato, quinoa, buckwheat, there...

Definitely good advice here and sounds like you on are on the right track. The iron/anemia issue could be contributing to your fatigue, esp. around your period. Out of curiosity when you see your doc to recheck your iron levels, consider asking for a Vitamin D level as well. Your pre-post snacks sound good-you may just need more overall calories due...

YES! Wow. Scary that he thought a colonoscopy was for celiac. I completely understand not wanting to eat gluten. I wouldn't either.