New Diet

[clwmongol]

Hi! I'm new to this forum...and new to "gluten." My blood tests came back negative, but I'm trying the gluten free diet anyway. A few of my extended family members have a gluten intolerance and had difficulty getting diagnosed.

I'm on Day 9 of the diet. My question is....are you supposed to feel worse before feeling better? I haven't noticed any significant changes, but I know it takes time. The first week I was still sick but had a bit more energy--first time I felt like cleaning the house or cooking in 5 months! The last 3 days I feel like everything I'm eating makes me sick and nauseous. Did anyone have a similar experience?

Just looking for some friendly advice....

[Guest cassidy]

Sounds normal to me. It took me 2 weeks to feel any difference. Then I could tell when I glutened myself, which I did regularly for a while. Now, when I get glutened it takes me 3 weeks to totally get over it. So, it will be a while for all the gluten to get out of your system.

Also, I would recommend a very basic diet - meats, rice, veggies, fruits. Your body needs to heal and chemicals and dairy may be tough on it right now. Many of us have discovered other intolerances after removing gluten and you may find the same. Tomatoes and potatoes tear up my stomach and I ate a ton of those after going gluten-free. I had gastritis and was at the point where it hurt to eat everything. I finally listened to everyone and cut things out of my diet. Then I kept a food diary to see what made me feel bad. I have been able to add things back in but I'm definitely sensitive to msg and other chemicals that I never realized.

I would say the beginning is definitely a roller coaster. Once you get a whole week when you actually feel good it will totally be worth it.

Good luck and stick with it because it is worth it.

My blood work was negative as well but I am doing so much better on this diet, so don't let the blood work discourage you.

[par18]

Have you felt any better at all since starting the diet? Also what are you eating? Cassidy made a good point in that it needs to be simple in the beginning. (mostly naturally gluten free and maybe elimainate dairy to start) I personally started to feel better right away. This does not mean what you are going through is unusual only that we are all different. Are you sure you are not accidentally getting gluten from some unexpected source? Is there still gluten in the home and are you handling it even though you are not eating it? Just trying to get a feel for the enviroment you are in.

Tom

[clwmongol]

I think that I've been pretty careful about cutting gluten out; however, I haven't simplified my diet as much as you all suggest. Perhaps I should. Mostly in the morning I have toast with butter and jelly. Lunch I have 30 minutes at work and have been eating Amy's frozen dinners (gluten free) from the health food store and fruit or celery/peanut butter. Dinner....usually whatever I can find that's not gluten. I work full time and go to school full time so it's hard to prepare things in advance. I've been using all gluten free soaps/shampoos/make-ups, etc...

My stomach pains didn't really go away the first week, but I felt like I had more energy. And some of the "mental fog" had lifted. That following weekend I was getting sick a lot. The only thing I might be able to pin it to is cheese. I ate several dishes with cheese, cheese cubes, yogurt, etc... So I'm trying to eliminate that from my diet as well...at least for the time being to see if it helps. It got to the point where I didn't feel like eating anything. I tried to drink hot tea or a soda but that just made me feel miserable.

Also, my doctor has me taking Prilosec because I guess my stomach is producing too much acid.

I haven't replaced appliances or pans in my kitchen, but I'm trying to be really careful about cross-contamination. I've been cutting all my food up on paper plates instead of my wood cutting board, etc...

Thanks so much for all your help eveyone!

Blessings....and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Guest cassidy]

I think that I've been pretty careful about cutting gluten out; however, I haven't simplified my diet as much as you all suggest. Perhaps I should. Mostly in the morning I have toast with butter and jelly. Lunch I have 30 minutes at work and have been eating Amy's frozen dinners (gluten free) from the health food store and fruit or celery/peanut butter.

I can't eat Amy's. I used to eat them all the time and then I started getting sick. I know some people eat it without a problem but there are many others that get sick from Amy's. If you look their stuff doesn't say gluten-free, it says no gluten ingredients to cover themselves if cc is an issue. I understand what you mean about being busy and how hard it is to prepare meals on the go. I was very upset when I had to cut Amy's out because I ate it almost every day for lunch. I also loved Mrs. May's and that had to go as well. It is frustrating to find food you like that seems to be gluten-free but then it isn't.

You may need to check and make sure you aren't eating things that are produced in the same facility/on the same manufacturing lines as gluten. Some people eat stuff produced near gluten and others of us don't. The ones that don't probably learned the hard way, like I did. I don't omit those things by choice but rather because I have gotten sick too many times.

I would definitely recommend simplifying your diet - just sticking to naturally gluten-free foods and see if you get better.

Good luck!

[tl2277]

I can't eat Amy's. I used to eat them all the time and then I started getting sick. I know some people eat it without a problem but there are many others that get sick from Amy's. If you look their stuff doesn't say gluten-free, it says no gluten ingredients to cover themselves if cc is an issue. I understand what you mean about being busy and how hard it is to prepare meals on the go. I was very upset when I had to cut Amy's out because I ate it almost every day for lunch. I also loved Mrs. May's and that had to go as well. It is frustrating to find food you like that seems to be gluten-free but then it isn't.

You may need to check and make sure you aren't eating things that are produced in the same facility/on the same manufacturing lines as gluten. Some people eat stuff produced near gluten and others of us don't. The ones that don't probably learned the hard way, like I did. I don't omit those things by choice but rather because I have gotten sick too many times.

I would definitely recommend simplifying your diet - just sticking to naturally gluten-free foods and see if you get better.

Good luck!

I wonder if there has been a recent change in Amy's product labeling. There are two cans of Amy's in our cupboards bought within the past couple of weeks. Neither has gluten ingredients; however, only one has any sort of gluten-free statement. The other says "made on equipment shared with..." So it seems they are making that distinction for us. Is this a new way of labeling for them?

[Guest cassidy]

I wonder if there has been a recent change in Amy's product labeling. There are two cans of Amy's in our cupboards bought within the past couple of weeks. Neither has gluten ingredients; however, only one has any sort of gluten-free statement. The other says "made on equipment shared with..." So it seems they are making that distinction for us. Is this a new way of labeling for them?

Yes, they changed their labeling. They are waiting to use gluten-free again when the government defines what gluten-free is - what parts per million is acceptable to still be called gluten-free. Also, this way they are covering their butts about cc and any ingredients from suppliers that contain gluten through cc. I'm glad they changed things so we know not to just trust a product that could have said gluten-free if there is a chance of cc, however, I would prefer them to use dedicated lines and better procedures to ensure that no gluten is getting into their products.

I really miss their food and hope they get things taken care of soon!

[sillyyak]

YES! Its gets worse before it gets better. It took me about 6 months to get rid of all the gluten toxins from my body and it was torturous!