Pick me up

[jen22]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed about 8 months ago.  I also have Type I diabetes and Hashimotos.  I am feeling very discouraged right now because I am having trouble managing my Type I and just coping with all of this.  I work full time and have a daughter and husband. I exercise, I try to eat healthy foods, I gave up alcohol several months ago because I thought it might be contributing to my depression  I believe I was glutened this past weekend - we went out to eat.  I find it almost impossible to be confident when eating out.  I started seeing a holistic nutritionist who recommended some time ago that I give up dairy, corn, all grains, beans, soy, most processed foods, "gluten free" treats and bread.  I did this and immediately felt good, but I have had a really difficult time  sticking to this - it is just meat and veggies and some nuts.  At one point she recommended the AIP (autoimmune protocol) and I just couldn't give up nuts.  A couple of weeks ago I started binge eating gluten free treats which has wreaked havoc on my blood sugars.  I'm a bit of a mess.  I feel like I don't have time to cook all of the time, can't trust restaurants, and don't really enjoy food anymore.  

I don't have a specific question, just putting out my frustrations.  The good news is all of my digestive issues have resolved themselves since going gluten free.  Some of the labs are improved but not all yet.  Has anyone been through this? Wondering if I should see another nutritionist.      

[cyclinglady]

Welcome! 

I am sorry that you are struggling.  I get it!  While I have Hashimoto’s and celiac disease, I have TD2 (insulin resistance) which so far has not progressed enough to demand medications or insulin.  I work hard to keep my carbs low in order to avoid medications.  I keep an eye out for TD1/LADA, since  I can develop autoimmune diabetes even later in life.  

While you can adjust your insulin to accommodate carbs, you can not consume gluten which is hard.  I do get the pity party, because I fell off the low carb wagon and was shocked to see that my diabetes has worsened. ?.  But you can only move forward. 

Have you had any follow-up testing for celiac disease?  You might want to get your vitamin and minerals checked, specifically b-12 and folate.  Low B-12 can cause a bunch of problems like depression (as can many things).  But you might be like me. I have autoimmune Gastritis which goes hand-in hand with TD1 and Hashimoto’s.  Mine was caught on a repeat endoscopy via gastric biopsies (small intestines had healed, but my stomach was an issue).  Autoimmune Gastritis is often asymptomatic until things like b-12 and iron failed to get absorbed.   Just getting older can cause B-12 issues too.  You can ask for antibodies testing for the intrinsic factor.  

Repeat celiac testing will let you know how your gluten-free diet is doing as well.  Show this to your doctor:

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

Eating out?  I eat at one restaurant.  That one is 100% gluten free.  (You would think that Southern California would have tons of choices, but no.  Frankly, a glutening can trigger symptoms (and raise antibodies)for all my autoimmune disorders.  So, I avoid gluten at all costs.  Like six months of daily hives all over my body is not worth a meal out.  I usually order a drink if I am not at my gluten-free restaurant.  I may have to retire to Oregon or Arizona where gluten-free restaurants are plentiful (let’s hope that the gluten-free wave keeps on going!)

Cooking.  Try to do as much as you can on the weekend.  I have a big freezer in the garage and it is a life saver.  Soups, stews, chili, etc. are always ready to go as is frozen cooked pork, beef, shredded chicken all ready for tacos or salads.  I cook all this in  my crockpot or instant pot.  

Once healed from celiac disease, I found that I could have dairy (after being allergic to it since I was a kid...it was really lactose intolerance).   I can eat some nuts.  I can not eat garlic, onions, and mushrooms due to an intolerance that has yet to resolve.  I avoid grains and legumes because it impacts my blood sugar.  So, I am on a pretty restrictive diet.  I do cook gluten-free for my family.  I just don’t eat those things, but I serve it to them.  

Come on to the forum anytime for a pity party.  Fall off the wagon with anything as long as it is gluten free and get back on the wagon.  Take walks, do a fun hobby and train, not just yourself, but family and friends that a hike might be more fun that a potluck dinner.  If more of us did this, we might not have so many over weight people in our society.  

I hope this helps.  You are definitely not alone!  

 

[GFinDC]

Hi Jen,

You are right, most gluten-free baked goods are loaded with extra sugar and carbs compared to gluteny foods.  They are really something all of us should limit in our gluten-free diets.

Something that might work better for you is almond flour.  Almond flour is low carb and may be less of a problem for your blood sugar.  A paleo type diet would be a good option I think.

I don't know if you have an Aldi's grocery near you but they make gluten-free wraps.  They may be a better choice than gluten-free breads.  I am not sure of that though, it's just my thinking.

One good way to do the gluten-free diet is to stay away from processed foods of all kinds for 6 months or so.  That way you avoid a lot of carbs and preservatives and what not.  Plus you save time not having to study ingredient lists so much in the store.

You are still pretty early in the healing process IMHO.  It can take 18 months or more to heal the gut.  In the meantime you will be eating a diet that is generally much healthier than most people around you.  The gluten-free diet takes some getting used to but over time it gets to be the norm.

I assume you are eating eggs also?  Meats, veggies, eggs, nuts and veggies is a pretty good diet IMHO.  I had baked squash with low cal sweetner and coconut oil tonight.  Plus ham and eggs.  And nuts for breakfast.  I think once you get used to eating differently you may stop wanting those other foods.  Hopefully anyhow.

[Ennis-TX]

I can relate to the treat issues myself. I have blood sugar issues (no doctor to diagnosis) but cannot eat sugar or carbs or my glucose showed spikes to the 400s per the meter. Both parents are also diabetics. 

If I crave pasta, I use Konjac based noodles like Miracle noodles, or the ones by Julian bakery or thrive market. Low carb and you have to rinse very well, but they do not spike it. Use a no sugar added sauce, I used Thrive Markets in the past but get a local one now. Miracle Noodle even has instant MRE style pasta dishes so you can zapp it in a microwave in the pouch.

Miracle Noodle also makes konjac rice...no carb rise sub, different again and needs to be rinsed and boiled to get the flavor off but season it, fry it, etc like you would normal rice. I do this about once a month and make my mothers Mexican fried rice with it. 

I run a gluten-free cottage bakery, I developed a coconut flour based bread by reverse engineering Julian Bakery coconut bread then I add herbs to it. BUT I would suggest you check out their loaves of bread....they are different but I would say get their trial pack via their site. For most, they are safe with sugar spikes being free of sugar, starches, and most carbs. 

Pizza, I use Califlour Pizza Plant-based crust, they redid it a while back but it is low carb and good. A cheaper option is Mikey's Muffins Pizza but it is dryer/

Lakanto, their baked goods are loaded with starches but they make a good sweetener and their MAPLE syrup is safe...dear god I get that when it goes on sale by the cases. 

Sugar, Cakes and cookies, I might suggest Swerve, I have been using their sweetener for years and make my own bakeries cakes and cookies with it. They came out with baking mixes last year, low carb mixes free of sugar and very little starch. So go ahead bake your cake/cookies and enjoy without guilt or sugar spikes....beats breaking down and bingeing. 

I am a coffee and dessert snob, I buy Christopher Bean Coffee flavored coffee and sweeten with monk fruit and sucralose for a treat. They have some great flavored ones.

I have a blog here, where I started posting recipes that were paleo/sugar-free/keto. Newer ones meet the no sugar/low carb diet. Simple cookies, pancakes, dinner rolls etc. 

I follow a Paleo based diet more along the keto/atkins with fats/protein and hardly any carbs. This works with some issues but can be dangerous with T1, I suggest you stick to paleo based diet and eat per your meter using slow carbs like sweet potatoes to manage your blood sugar. But I am not a  doctor.