Raw Meat Craving

[Jordan Carlson]

Hello everyone! So I am on week 4 being 100% gluten free again. Long story short, I was back eating gluten for 3 weeks prior to my endoscopy to get the celiac diagnosis.  Now that I have been gluten free for 4 weeks, I have a very strong craving for specifically raw meat haha (raw salmon, raw steak....etc).  When I was eating gluten, I craved greasy and sugary foods.  Now, I have zero interest in that and crave raw meat.  This happened the first time I went gluten free.  But this time around I am much more cautious and have my own toaster, cooking pan and everything like that.  It has made a huge difference and I am starting to feel better than ever! The raw meat craving seems to be much stronger though than the first time around.  Its so strong that it makes me want to start a ketogenic diet.  But I know my carbs are important to me as I am a pretty active guy.  And I also tend to have a tough time digesting if I eat too much meat due to the fat.  Just wondering if anyone else experienced this.  And if so, how did you manage it? Not complaining about it at all, just find it odd that a raw steak looks so appetizing lol.

[Scott Adams]

That is an interesting craving, and likely may be due to a nutritional deficiency. Are you taking a good high potent vitamin/mineral supplement? Most people with celiac disease need to take them, especially in the 1-2 years after diagnosis.

The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.

 

 

 

[Jordan Carlson]

Thanks for the reply @Scott Adams! I actually just started a extra strength multivitamin yesterday! I assumed the craving had something to do with a deficiency of some sort. Was thinking maybe even a protein deficiency since I am an active person. I will give the multi vitamin some time to work!

[Scott Adams]

I am thinking a B12 deficiency, which is quite common among those with celiac disease. To absorb B12 properly it is best to take the other B vitamins with it as well, so the multivitamin approach is a good idea.