Rice And Weight Gain

[sillyken]

Hi,

Okay this is bad. I went to put on a pair of pants (38 w) that are usually to big and now I can barely get in them. I began to think about my diet and realized that I was eating alot of rice. Can that be the culprit? How do you know if it's a not thyroid problem. I've never had weight issues before. Please help me before I explode!

Ken Ritter

[ianm]

Starchy foods like rice and spuds can cause me to bloat up so I don't eat them very often.

[plantime]

How long have you been gluten-free? The longer you are gluten-free, the more your body heals, and the more you start absorbing calories. It could be that you need to cut back on your eating, or increase your exercising.

[flagbabyds]

Yeah rice can make you bloat and make you fell like you gained weight, even when you probably didn't, but if you might suspect thyroid, then you should just go to your doctor and get a routine blood test for thyroid TSH and FreeT4 should be tested.

Hope you feel better!

[sillyken]

"How long have you been gluten-free?"

I've been gluten-free for about two years. I've just never seen anything like it.

"The longer you are gluten-free, the more your body heals, and the more you start absorbing calories."

Is there anyway to help the body not do this or slow the process?

[WGibs]

I don't find a correlation between rice and weight gain. With gluten carbs like pasta and bread, yes, but not with rice. That said, no matter what you are eating, if you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain.

Is there anyway to help the body not do this or slow the process?

You shouldn't want to stop this process. It's your body healing and performing as it should -- absorbing the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. If you became accustomed to stuffing yourself without gaining weight, you may need to learn to listen to your body's signals for hunger and fullness, and moderate your eating accordingly.

My only other thoughts are that maybe this is a healthier weight for you? Depending upon how tall you are, 38 could be a perfectly reasonable waist size. Have your exercise habits changed? How old are you? I hear alot of men complain that when they hit 30 or thereabouts, their metabolism slows down. You can work to counteract that with exercise, but few men maintain their teenage metabolisms into middle age.

[Carriefaith]

Okay this is bad. I went to put on a pair of pants (38 w) that are usually to big and now I can barely get in them. I began to think about my diet and realized that I was eating alot of rice. Can that be the culprit? How do you know if it's a not thyroid problem. I've never had weight issues before. Please help me before I explode!

If you are suspecting thyroid trouble, I would get it checked. Maybe try cutting your rice intake in half and try and fill up on protein, vegetables, and fruits. This may help

[blueangel]

Hi Ken,

I am experiencing the same thing, latelly I've been eating rice, no more than usual really and withi a week or so I've gained 5 to 6 kgs. This is never happened to me ... I am feeling bloated ... I am also suspecting might be something else ... YOU ARE NOT ALONE ... I just stared to see my Doc and have been telling him this ... I'm undergoing various of check ups ... I will let know you know ...

Ciao Milena (an American living in Spain)

[Guest Robbin]

I know this from the diabetics in my family that rice makes their blood sugars go as high as candy. So does potatoes. Are you having blood sugar swings? Maybe get a fasting blood sugar test as well. You might be like me --pre-diabetic-I think my dr. called it metabolic syndrome x. I am trying to avoid rice and potatoes except for rice cakes with pbutter for between meal snacks. Good luck & God bless!

[lpellegr]

I found also that it was getting harder and harder to keep the weight off. I decided to try giving up most carbs, which was ironic considering how hard I worked to find gluten-free substitutes for all the cereals, breads, muffins, etc that I used to eat! Upped the protein and fiber, reduced the carbs way back, and it worked. Weight is steady and even a little less, and the roll around the waist is reduced. A piece of ham rolled up in a piece of cheese and an apple for breakfast keep me full longer than 3 bowls of Cheerios used to. They say that the first stage of the South Beach diet can be a good starting point for a celiac because of the lack of carbs, and they might be on to something. It's worth trying higher protein and lower carbs. Heck, you had to cut out a lot of carbs to go gluten-free anyway.

[CMCM]

I found also that it was getting harder and harder to keep the weight off. I decided to try giving up most carbs, which was ironic considering how hard I worked to find gluten-free substitutes for all the cereals, breads, muffins, etc that I used to eat! Upped the protein and fiber, reduced the carbs way back, and it worked. Weight is steady and even a little less, and the roll around the waist is reduced. A piece of ham rolled up in a piece of cheese and an apple for breakfast keep me full longer than 3 bowls of Cheerios used to. They say that the first stage of the South Beach diet can be a good starting point for a celiac because of the lack of carbs, and they might be on to something. It's worth trying higher protein and lower carbs. Heck, you had to cut out a lot of carbs to go gluten-free anyway.

A few years ago I tried the Atkins diet (similar to South Beach diet) and this was before I knew I had celiac. I was trying to lose about 15-20 lbs. that just wouldn't budge with other means, including careful diet and tons of exercise (6 days a week!!). On Atkins I felt pretty great and easily lost weight. In retrospect, I realize it was due to the total lack of grain and starches and dairy (other than minimal cheese allowed). Since finding out about my gluten problems, I also learned I was casein sensitive, and potatoes also give me huge upsets and bloating. I'm careful with rice as well due to its high glycemic index and high carb rating.

I think it's all too easy to go overboard with the gluten free baked goods and thus gain weight. I was an occasional cake and cookie eater before, so now that I must be gluten free I don't want to go overboard with baked type goods. As many of us have seen, it's easy to put on weight with them.

So in general, I know that for myself to lose weight I have to eat a good amount of protein (lean meats and eggs/egg whites), moderate veggies, no fruit, no grain, no starches. Basic Atkins in a nutshell. Boring but it works.

[jenvan]

Ken-

If you are new to the diet it is common to gain weight, due to your body beginning to absorb more. However, the more starchy, less fiber replacement that are often gluten-free food can also contribute to this. You may need to adjust your diet again. I did...I stopped eating as many carbs and traded rice 1/2 the time for quinoa... I added in beans and moved the focus of my meal to meat, veggies and small amt of starches...