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Anyone React To Gluten Free Oats?


Crayons574

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Crayons574 Contributor

Hello~

I was wondering how you all react to eating gluten free oats. I know that some people have no problem with them, while others cannot tolerate them--despite them being gluten free. Anyone know why that is? How do you react to gluten free oats? They make me very bloated and naceous...but not the same reaction as if I eat gluten or soy.


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flourgirl Apprentice

You'll find that a lot of us can't tolerate them. For me it's just like being glutened.

tarnalberry Community Regular

The reason why is because the oat protein - avenin - is molecularly very similar to gliadin - the wheat protein. Some people's systems do not differentiate between the two, and react to oats.

Cynbd Contributor

I definitely react to oats. I have been gluten-free for 2 1/2 years, and I very recently bought some certified gluten-free Oats for the first time since going gluten-free, and I reacted immediately to them. Those oats moved through my system like a freight train :huh: Yikes! But I recovered quickly. I recall having the same reaction at times when I used to eat them pre-gluten free.

FMcGee Explorer

How long are people supposed to wait before trying oats, after going gluten-free? I miss them a lot and really want to try them again, but I'm worried. It's only been three weeks for me, and my symptoms haven't all cleared up yet. My boyfriend bought me a (very expensive) box of gluten-free oats but my gut (hee) says to wait a bit longer. Am I being paranoid?

tarnalberry Community Regular
How long are people supposed to wait before trying oats, after going gluten-free? I miss them a lot and really want to try them again, but I'm worried. It's only been three weeks for me, and my symptoms haven't all cleared up yet. My boyfriend bought me a (very expensive) box of gluten-free oats but my gut (hee) says to wait a bit longer. Am I being paranoid?

I would wait about six months, myself. Maybe four if you feel totally great in four months. But you want to give your intestines time not only to clear out any existing gluten reaction, but repair the gut as well. (The gluten molecule just triggers the immune system to attack itself - the immune system reaction is somewhat self-sustaining, and can continue for up to two weeks without the presence of gluten. So, you need to make sure that all of that is done with in your system, AND you've had a fair amount of time healing any existing damage.)

FMcGee Explorer
I would wait about six months, myself. Maybe four if you feel totally great in four months. But you want to give your intestines time not only to clear out any existing gluten reaction, but repair the gut as well. (The gluten molecule just triggers the immune system to attack itself - the immune system reaction is somewhat self-sustaining, and can continue for up to two weeks without the presence of gluten. So, you need to make sure that all of that is done with in your system, AND you've had a fair amount of time healing any existing damage.)

Good to know! I didn't know that, about the immune system taking two weeks to stop reacting. Thanks very much!


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luvs2eat Collaborator

I bought Bob's Red Mill certified gluten-free oats after being gluten-free for about 6 years. It was the best bowl of oatmeal I ever tasted (w/ a little brown sugar and blueberries!). I had no reaction! But I'll only have them occasionally. Don't wanna jinx myself.

Gemini Experienced
Hello~

I was wondering how you all react to eating gluten free oats. I know that some people have no problem with them, while others cannot tolerate them--despite them being gluten free. Anyone know why that is? How do you react to gluten free oats? They make me very bloated and naceous...but not the same reaction as if I eat gluten or soy.

I tolerate gluten-free oats just fine but I was a big oatmeal and fiber eater before my diagnosis. I think it has far more to do with tolerating fiber. If you ate a more processed diet beforehand, getting much more fiber in your body may be tough. You have to work up to fiber intake. There are those who may be allergic or intolerant of oats also but I think those numbers are small. It sounds like you are having a fiber problem right now so you may want to wait a bit and try again.

Also be sure to drink reasonable amounts of water with fiber intake as that helps with digestion.

FMcGee Explorer
I tolerate gluten-free oats just fine but I was a big oatmeal and fiber eater before my diagnosis. I think it has far more to do with tolerating fiber. If you ate a more processed diet beforehand, getting much more fiber in your body may be tough. You have to work up to fiber intake. There are those who may be allergic or intolerant of oats also but I think those numbers are small. It sounds like you are having a fiber problem right now so you may want to wait a bit and try again.

Also be sure to drink reasonable amounts of water with fiber intake as that helps with digestion.

This is essentially exactly what my dietician just told me! She said it's not the oats themselves that some people react to, it's their extremely high fiber content, and that if you rarely at them before going gluten-free, you shouldn't start until you've worked up to them, which is why it takes so many people some time to tolerate them. It's always interesting to hear different views on things like this.

Gemini Experienced
This is essentially exactly what my dietician just told me! She said it's not the oats themselves that some people react to, it's their extremely high fiber content, and that if you rarely at them before going gluten-free, you shouldn't start until you've worked up to them, which is why it takes so many people some time to tolerate them. It's always interesting to hear different views on things like this.

You mean to tell me that there are people getting paid to give this advice?!?! :P

Oatmeal is a fantastic source of fiber and it keeps you full for hours. I always eat a bowl before hiking so I don't have to lug too much food with me. I just wish the gluten-free version didn't cost so much!

It makes you think twice before making some oatmeal cookies.

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