Are There Any Other Celiacs That Are Overweight?

[Guest gfinnebraska]

I react to any mix that has guar gum in it. Guar gum has a trace amount of gluten ~ doesn't bother most celiac disease, but does me!! Try to find mixes, cookies, bread, etc. without guar gum and see if that fixes the problem for you.

[bigapplekathleen]

Hi Nadtorius,

I also follow a modified paleo diet. I, like you, find that I often react to gluten-free goodies. Certain manufacturers seem to provoke more of a response than others, so my thought is that it has something to do with their ingredient suppliers or the cleanliness of their factory (cross-contamination). I do best when I eat NO grains at all. I do okay with lentil pasta and rice pasta (specifically, NOTTA PASTA brand) but only very occasionally.

My doctor, who is a major celiac specialist, seemed to feel that there was something else WRONG with me if i am still reacting to gluten-free grains and wanted to run a lot more tests. My attitude is 'enough already!' I know what makes me feel unwell, so why not just avoid those things and live a happy, healthy life? Besides, Paleo Diet is the healthiest diet out there.

By the way, I have been making some really delicious paleo recipes lately. Have you done any gourmet Paleo meals?

kathleen

[Nadtorious]

Kathleen-

My modified version does include rice (lundberg brown or jasmine) and a few potatoes every now and then. I drink lactose free milk too, but past that, I stay far away from anything processed. I finally linked it all together this summer-I race mountain bikes, and would cook meals from scratch during the weeks when I was at home and would feel great, but I brought pretzals and cookies and other gluten-free foods to races and would feel like crap all weekend! So much for that! (We have a camping stove that I take with now and make meals from scratch).

Anyways, cooking gourmet gluten-free meals for myself has been a bit of a pain! I'm intolerent to soy as well, but sometimes will sneak some Bragg's liquid aminos into a stir fry for more flavor. I've modified quite a few stew recipes (but they all end up tasting pretty similar). Two of my favorites have been garlic mashed potatoes (microwave a couple spuds, add LF milk, garlic, olive oil or unsalted butter, a bit of salt, and lots of pepper, simmer until it's thick), and short grain brown rice that I boil the night before, then add a little milk, a chopped up red apple, and some honey and cinnamon-good for breakfast. I eat a lot of red meat and fish, just because they're higher in nutrition and flavor. And I munch on fruit. Pretty basic, but this is the best I've felt in five years-3 years undiagnosed and 2 years eating expensive crap that made me feel even crappier!

Do you have any recipes???????

Good luck!

Nadia

[mrsfiles]

HELP PLEASE!! I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease by biopsy in April 2002~ a month to the day after my wedding ~God Bless my husband... I have since gone from a size 6 to a 16!!! My stomach feels better since going on the gluten-free diet but I am extremely uncomfortable with my weight gain. I admit in the beginning I ate a lot of rice and potatoes because those were safe, but soon learned how to adjust to gluten-free ways and eat very little of them, as well as bread (I'm a bit lazy when it comes to making it. I can't handle the store's gluten-free selection-I find it to be gross).

My GI Doctor has been no help as he just says I look healthy now. Easy for him to say, I'M the one with no waist now and weigh what I did when I was 8 months pregnant with my son 21 years ago!! I also exercise at a gym 3 days a week, for 1 1/2 hours a day, and have been for the past 2 years. I continue to GAIN not LOSE. I am so frustrated that I am ready to go back to eating gluten and deal with the consequences! I am so overtired all the time and have no energy. I had more before I was diagnosed. What can I do??? I need to lose weight. I had a physical recently for work and the Dr. told me according to my BMI, I am overweight and on the edge of obesity. My Dr. has checked my thyroid, glucose, hormones, etc. Can't find anything. Why is my watching what I eat (I've cut down on sugar and carbs) and exercising regualrly doing exactly the opposite of what it should be doing? Does anyone else have this problem?

[granddaughtergrace]

I was diagnosed 6/03. Weight gain was explained to me the villi are growing back and saying "Oh yum, vitamins and minerals and sucking them all in." I have no answers but I do understand our bodys are in need of vitamins and minerals. I am going to make a New Years resolution to drink more water and ride my bike. We'll see what happens.

Good luck.

Sheila

[Agee]

Whoa, Mrs Files you are posting all over the place about this!

Obviously, you are in a panic! I don't blame you. While I am new to eating gluten-free I am in no way new to the battle of the bulge, but I can tell you some things I've observed.

First, gluten-free baked goods have tons more calories and a lot less fiber than whole wheat bread or other baked goods. When I first started eacting gluten-free (about 2 months ago) I was going a little nuts on the gluten-free baked goods (the wholefoods gluten free bakery is right up the road...mmmm...lemon-cranberry scones) and every night I would try a new gluten-free treat. In about 2 weeks gained back the 5 lbs. I'd just lost from running 20 mi./week for the 5 weeks previous. This ALARMED me. I have a really tough time losing weight - and those 20 mi./week were tough to do - so I decided I needed to lay off the baked goods. After about two weeks (and not being on a diet) I'd pretty much dropped the scone weight.

I thought back to the diets that worked for me before. The only one that worked for me physically and psychologically has been the Carbohydrate Addicts' Diet. You eat 2 lowcarb meals and 1 moderate-carb meal a day. This is very simple to do eating gluten-free and does give me the feeling of deprivation that Atkins or WW has in the past (like most overweight 30-something women I am no stranger to dieting). Now, I've only been back on CAD for a week and a half but I really think I'll make it this time - 1)I have my head on straight and 2)I think that when I've cheated/binged in the past is probably had something to do with gluten consumption. Since starting the whole gluten-free thing I've felt so much better. It's been incredible.

And to follow up on the person last April (!) who said they got diarrhea on Atkins, in the book Protein Power it's explained by your body having to produce more of its meat-digesting enzymes if you've suddenly switched your focus from eating less carbs/more meat.

So - what I'm saying is I think you should really lay off the baked goods, eat more vegetables, and look into controlled carbohydrate eating. The low carb friends message boards are a great support system. It sounds to me, especially since you say you have no energy, that you may really need to think about your blood sugar and how you are responding to any simple carbs you're eating.

Agee

[mscriber]

Sharon,

While my dughter has not yet been diasgnosed as having Celiac's we have been told 2x they think she has it, despite 2 neg. biopsies. We are waitng now for more results. You can see more info about what she's gone through on the Pre-Diagnosis thing or the one on Drs in Dallas area.

I am days away from passing my Personal Trainer's Certification. I was delayed because my daughter has been in and out of hospital and husband had surgery yesterday....just to really complicate my life!

1 1/2 yrs ago my husband blood pressure was high, he weighed 256 and his cholesterol was 400+. He had to do something. We totally chnaged his diet...something I had triend to get him to do, but....you know how it is I am sure!

We had great success. He's 6' 2 1/2" and now keeps his weight around 190 lbs. He's still like to be less but look fine to me. Let me know if you'd like a few pointers!

Merrie'

Austin, TX

Mom of 15 yr old possible Celiac

[anerissara]

Oh, I am so glad I found this post! I am not overweight technically....I am 138 and 5'7....but I am a good 10 pounds over the weight I "fit" in, if that makes sense. My weight fluctuates like crazy, too...I can gain 5 pounds after eating *nothing* for a couple of days, or can lose 5 pounds after eating *everything*! It makes no sense. I have always had what I thought was IBS (since I was 16, anyway) but it's gotten so much worse in the last 3 years. I actually got better with my 3 pregnancies, but got worse after I quit nursing each time. I also get awful rashes which look like the blister-type Dh rashes.

My doctor told me I couldn't have celiac disease because I havent' ever "lost 15 pounds for no reason". This sounded wrong to me because I have just about every other symptom! And, I think I probably *was* malnourished because I was dizzy, short of breath, and just exhausted all the time. After 1 month on a gluten-free diet I feel so much better...it's like a dark cloud has been lifted and the world looks bright again! I was so tired and depressed and grouchy, that's what I've noticed the most is feeling "awake" again!

I have actually lost a little weight since going on the diet, but once I discovered some gluten-free snack foods and started eating the gluten-free bread I started gaining back a little I think that I will try and return to the carrot sticks and apples sort of snacks and maybe I'll do better.

It is so good to read that I'm not alone! And, now I have evidence to take to my crummy MD as proof that it *can* happen!

Do you guys think maybe part of the weight problem is that our bodies had been "starving" from malabsorbtion for so long that they just pack away every calorie that comes their way? Because I really think I eat *less* than most people, plus I do excersize and still I just can't seem to lose more than five pounds...which quickly returns the next time I even *think* about eating a regular meal!

[grannynanny]

I agree about the weight challenges. I can go on the most extreme diet in the world, and not lose a pound! I play tennis 4 or 5 times a week, eat healthy and still remain 30 or so pounds overweight. I think I've actually dropped a pound or two since trying to go gluten-free (7 months ago). I figured I would have lost a lot more than that since my sweet tooth can no longer be fed with the cookies and cakes that used to rule my world. Sure wish somebody could explain to me how you can be malnourished and overweight at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!

[haysn]

Hi, I am over weight also. Need to lose a lot of weight. I did lose 17 pounds when I first went off gluten this past year, ( this was water lose, I was very bloated) . but have started gaining some of that back. I always had the runs, and believe me it made me run. I couldn't understand why when I was always in the bathroom, I never lost weight. It has been hard for me now to lose weight. I need to start excerising more. Maybe that will help. I have been so sick for so long am looking forward to the day when I get my health back. I found out that I not only am allergic to gluten, but to food colorings and preservatives also. Do black olives have gluten? Can't eat them also. This makes eating a challenge, but I am getting there. Trying to find as much stuff on celiac diease as I can. Doctor not real helpful.

Nancy

[Guest nini]

I'm an overweight celiac too. I wondered the same thing. How can I be overweight when I get sick from everything I eat and had constant chronic diarrhea? After going gluten-free I have lost quite a bit of weight, and went from a 22-24 to a size 16... I have hit a plateau and am sure it has something to do with feeding my sweet tooth with Gluten Free Pantry's goodies and Kinnikinick donuts and Pamela's brownies... Oh well!

[ianm]

I used to be about 80lbs overweight before gluten-free. I have to really watch the carbs and the portions of what I eat. I also have to exercise regularly. I gain weight really easy so I stay away from the gluten-free breads and pastas because they have too much carbs and less fiber. Plus they cost too much and don't taste that great. No sugary foods either.

[taligator]

Hi guys,

I'm not a diagnosed Celiac but live an 85% gluten-free life because I feel better when I don't eat wheat or gluten. The 15% is the things I just turn a blind eye to because I eat out a bit and never know what is in the food I'm eating.

I don't know if I'm a true celiac or just gluten sensitive, I'm guessing on the latter but you never know. My Mom and I both eat gluten-free and feel better for it.

BUT, I am going to have all the tests done as soon as I can. I'm about 130 pounds overweight and it's quite the challenge. I lost about 10 pounds when I cut out the gluten intially but gained it back and now I'm struggling to figure out how to eat the best.

But, Kat's post about the paleo diet made me think about my past dieting history and how good I felt doing strict low-carb so I'm going to dig out my copy of NeanderThin when I get home and see what I need to modify.

Thanks for this post and for your support, it's very needed especially when we don't have the typical celiac symptoms.

[PreOptMegs]

Hi Everyone! I would not consider myself overweight, but since having this celiac thing (just diagnosed approx 3 weeks ago), I reach a certain weight and no matter how much I diet and exercise, I cannot seem to break that weight. After days of trying, it never fails that I get contaminated with gluten, which skyrockets my weight up again. I am so sick of this. I mean, I eat incredibly healthy, very low calorie meals and I stop eating each day at 4 pm to try to lose weight, but so far nothing has helped. My body feels as if it isn't breaking the foods down right. I don't know if anyone understands what I am feeling, but it is as if my metabolism is in slow motion. I was told i have a hypothyroid problem and I am taking medication for that, but I still don't feel like my metabolism is up to snuff. Anyone else with this problem?

[Mya]

My suggestion would be this: you should eat smaller meals every three hours to keep your metabolism going. It might not be the best idea to stop eating at 4pm, if you are hungry again around 7, have a little snack, some cottage cheese, a yogurt, handful of nuts, just something small. I'm a health ed major and have done a lot of research on weight gain, and weight loss. If you exercise 30-60 min a day that's awesome. Weight training 3 times a week for 20-40 minutes will benefit you greatly. A pound of muscle burns 50 calories/day, a pound of fat burns 2 calories/day. So, by weight training, you will transform the fat into muscle, and the scale may tell you you're gaining weight...well, you are, muscle weighs more than fat, but do your clothes fit better, do you feel better? Don't go by the scale... Working closely with a trainer and a nutritionist may help you also. I hope I have helped you a little bit.

[PreOptMegs]

After having a gluten attack and blowing up like Shamu's cousin, I will lose that weight very quickly, but then I get stuck at a weight and no matter how much I diet and exercise, my weight won't budge!!! I go to the specialist in a few days, so hopefully he can help me overcome this awful thought of being "fat" and still not getting to eat what I want!!

[ianm]

I started weight training about 4 weeks ago and I have noticed a HUGE difference. I have gained weight but lost fat. I still do aerobic exercises like walking and bike riding a lot but that alone wasn't getting my body where I wanted it. You need to do the anaerobic exercises like weight training also. My body is starting to reshape in the way I want it to look. Still think those six-pack abs are going to take a long time.

[PreOptMegs]

I am a college basketball player and we do lift weights 3x a week, and I know muscle weighs more than fat, but I am still not satisfied with the way my body looks. I made it through all of the wonderful holidays with the body I worked so hard for, and then this celiac thing came on, and I just am not happy. I will try to keep my metabolism going throughout the day, that is a great point. Thank you for your help.

[Guest Eloisa]

I truly understand where you all are coming from. I had been on an exercise program closely monitored by a personal trainer and a nutritionist for years both being close friends. My routine consisted of lifting weights for 1 hour 3 times a week sometimes 4 and then doing cardio about 30-45 minutes 3 days a week with one day off. I kept doing this throughout my diagnosis of celiac disease but noticed that when I started doing the gluten-free diet I either wouldn't loose weight or I'd gain a little. This frustrated me cause I started thinking I was doing the wrong diet, that maybe the dr was wrong and I needed to my wheat bread and my oatmeal in the morning and do what I had been doing for years. I was what you call a clean eater (not white and no sugar) and no eating out. But after I was diagnosed I so depressed that I started eating things that I would never eat before. You know the chocolate bars that are gluten-free whatever I could find. Esp. that crappy bread and cookies they sell that are gluten free and you wind up eating the whole damn bag out of the frustration of your life change. We are all set in our ways and when our lives and structure get wrecked up and we have to make major changes in our lives we tend to get depressed about it and ruin what we've worked so for. Anyway, I've stuck to the gluten-free diet and had kept up with the workout routine your know changing it when your supposed to. I had notice that I would bloat up and feel bad and felt like I was spinning my wheels and wondered why I was doing all this exercise. One thing I did notice was then I would bloat up when I'd eat out or eat some kind of corn. So when I'm being really good and not eating corn tortillas or chips and salsa the scale starts coming down. If only I could stick to this and not let any other stresses in my life drive me not want to cook and eat out.

[Guest BellyTimber]

Thank you folks for an awesome thread (I hope it's all right for a gent to join in)

At age 50 I have been about 28 lb o/w for some years including before I went gluten-free.

(Until age 25, plus I was seriously emaciated)

Shal wait till I'm more settled then try and adapt the Slimming World programme - becme a postal member to see what it was.

Your posts are very inspiring.

[julie5914]

I do think perhaps our bodies are just being too darn efficient. I trained for a half marathon last fall before I was diagnosed and gained nearly ten pounds on a diet of less than 1800 calories, small meals throughout the day. People kept saying it was muscle and still do (since I haven't lost any since I stopped running due to energy), but if muscle makes me look like this, I don't want it. I can't fit in my pants! I went from size 6 pants before my wedding in August to size 10 pants by December.

It's so frustrating I want to cry. I have only been gluten-free for a week, and I keep getting on the scale, thinking maybe this is the key that will finally take this weird weight off. I got on this morning and had gained a pound. I am really not sure how to break my body out of being so efficient. If it keeps acting the way and my metabolism slows as I age, I won't be able to eat anything! I excercise 3-5 times a week, at least 3 of those times weight lifting is involved.

I will let you know if gluten-free helps in the next few months. I really don't know what else to do besides eat well and exercise. It doesn't make sense. I feel like a slob.

[cmom]

Believe me, I feel your frustration. I gained 10 lbs in 10 days over Christmas Break last year and have still not been able to lose it. I walk 2 miles a day/5 times a week and also do aerobics or toning exercises. I am totally gluten free to my knowledge (not aware of any cross contamination, etc). My stomach normally looks like I'm 6 months pregnant. If I am having this much trouble being pre-menopausal, I fear what will happen to me when the big M finally does hit. I will look like a small blimp! I am so discouraged; my clothes don't fit and I am miserable much of the time from feeling uncomfortable. Am thinking of having a thyroid function test. I know everyone with a weight problem says their thyroid must not be working or it's a gland problem but at least I could rule that out as a culprit. Hang in there!

[hnc]

These comments are very helpfu - thanks to everyone. Some more thoughts: When diagnosed, I immediately eliminated gluten and lost 75 pounds in about six months (like usual, more came off at first). Because I have multiple illnesses, I also have chemotherapy at about this time. I knew I'd gain a lot from that, and I did, but for some unknown reason it has not gone away. Can be very discouraging. Also have irritable bowel syndrome, with strongest emphasis on the constipation. It is much worse due to necessary pain medication. Because I don't get much in the way of whole grains due to Celiac, it is harder to deal with than usual. Because medication for rheumatoid arthritis has almost destroyed my kidneys, I have to be extremely cautious about laxatives. I eat lots and lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Any other ideas?

[hnc]

I think it makes a great deal of sense that Celiacs are overweight, even though we are often greeted with skepticism by doctors. If the body does not use its food as fuel because of gluten consumption, why wouldn't it get stored as fat? Our bodies can only get rid of so much of it in other ways. Any other theories about this?

[ianm]

Try eating buckwheat and flaxseed meal. They taste good and have lots of protien and fiber. Those two keep things moving along. I lost most of my weight pretty quickly but I still have some love handles that aren't going to go without a fight. That last 5-10 pounds still has a death grip on my waist.

I once read that when the body is in distress it will store fat and water to help combat the problem.