topic Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet? in Wellness

Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

morganjen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:19:50 GMT

I have Hashimoto's and my naturopathic doctor suggested I adopt a gluten-free diet. This is my first week (yes it's hard!) but wondered if anyone here had noticed an improvement in the way they feel (etc.) from eating this way?

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

violann — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:45:08 GMT

Yes. I do GRAIN free and dairy free and feel MUCH better without them!

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

Dal1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:55:45 GMT

Seeing as I have gluten sensitivity/intolerance, yes. Huge difference if I don't eat this way but I have been GF for over 12 years now. It's not a diet I'd chose that's for sure and certainly not a weight loss diet, but out of necessity it makes a big difference in how one feels. It gets easier the longer you eat this way and I started when there were far fewer GF options available. Why this has caught on as a "fad" I'm not sure because again I'd not chose this if I didn't need to.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

willdob3 — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:59:49 GMT

I do much more than gluten-free. I avoid all grains & processed foods. It has changed & improved my life. I feel so much better I have no desire to eat the old SAD ever again.

If you go the gluten-free way please skip the gluten-free products that are sold. Most of them contain ingredients as bad or worse than gluten.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

sfnative — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 23:11:13 GMT

Yes, huge. However, my avoidance list is quite comprehensive and goes way beyond gluten.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

PhatCat — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:41:32 GMT

Absolutely, and I didn't realize how much until I ate some grinder roll the other night. I had stomach upset after eating and the next day I had a headache all day long and (TMI -my stools were long and narrow showing inflammation in my colon) All because I was too lazy to cook, won't do that again.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

Carmie — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 04:36:46 GMT

I have been gluten free for over 20 years. I have celiac desease. My youngest son (34)does not have celiac. but he swears that he feels better without the gluten. When he eats it, he has a stomach ache for a few days.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

sphynxlvr — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:15:30 GMT

Yes!! I have been gluten free since Oct. 2013. My chiro suggested I try going gluten and corn free for 2 weeks. Well, I thought I would die w/o my beloved gluten and corn!!!!!! I felt sooo much better those 2 weeks! So, she then asked me to continue for another 2 weeks...........I am still gluten and corn free to this day! I have not taken omeprazole (prilosec) since starting the gluten and corn free diet!!! I no longer have a bloated tummy and I just feel better! That being said, I cringe when she suggests I do something for

'just 2 weeks'.....

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

emmysmom — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:34:43 GMT

On 2/20/2014 violann said: Yes. I do GRAIN free and dairy free and feel MUCH better without them!

I do too, first gave up grains due to D2 and then gave up gluten..it made a big difference. Also noticed bloating was gone!

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

FLGators — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:07:05 GMT

I have gone dairy free & added smoothies with greens & low glycemic fruits. I see a big difference in my skin. I haven't had break outs, too soon to rule it out. It's been a month since I went dairy free, 3 months of smoothie'ing. I don't think I can go gluten free since I eat out daily & it would be hard to find gluten free dishes. Dairy free is also hard since butter/cream seem to be a hidden ingredient in most dishes, but I try.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

Bird — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:50:42 GMT

My most dramatic difference is a significant reduction in my BP readings. Now, I must say that I still haven't differentiated between eating GF or wheat-free, so I am just not sure if the villain is the gluten, or the wheat. I just have to get on the ball and go completely grain free, then add back things like oats and see what happens. - Bird

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

Little Way — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 22:41:16 GMT

Yes. I stopped getting sinus infections, colds. I think the gluten caused inflammation. I was not found to have celiac disease, just a sensitivity to wheat. I haven't gone back to eating wheat, but luckily, if I ingest some gluten I am OK. I just don't eat a lot and let it build up.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

cairnlover — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 11:58:11 GMT

I was diagnosed with Celiac disease 18 months ago. I do notice a huge difference in how I feel. It is tough to get used to & I wouldn't chose it, but I do feel much better.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

worldglobetrotter — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 19:18:00 GMT

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May 2012 and have been completely gluten-free since June 2012 (I had to have one last hurrah of gluten-filled goodies). I'm also Type 1 diabetic. Anyhoo, after reading some of the other responses, and thinking back over the months, I haven't really been sick eiher. Sure, I have a cold here and there, but nothing like I used to before giving up the gluten. That's a plus. I would always get sick at the drop of a hat, it seemed. One other thing I did notice, though, was after becoming gluten-free, I ended up gaining some weight because before, my body didn't absorb the nutrients. I don't look like skeletal remains now, according to one of my friends. So, that's good. It was hard at first (I loved my pasta), but there are substitutes. I don't really eat a lot of the packaged gluten-free food, except my guilty pleasure are these Lucy's Cinnamon Thins. They are really good cookies and I had never been a cookie fan.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

jerseygirl1 — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:04:16 GMT

Yes! 8 years ago I was diagnosed with MS after years of troubling and nagging symptoms that had gone on for decades. Actually the diagnosis was a vindication as it was suggested by my doctors that my symptoms were "all in my head". Yep, they even went so far as to put me on SSRI's claiming all my physical symptoms were caused by "depression". (writing this right now seriously enrages me so much that I would like to slap someone!)

It was recommended by my neurologists I start on various pharmaceutical therapies but after reading the literature on those drugs, the side effects were horrible and I chose to attempt the dietary route. I wasn't sold that the dietary approach was the answer to my problems but I knew I could always go back to the pharmaceuticals if the dietary approach didn't work.

I started reading various books written about alternative approaches to treating MS and it was recommended to eliminate gluten, dairy and legumes from my diet. Since it seemed like a daunting task to eliminate all three, I decided to start with one item and it was gluten. And I really eliminated gluten, I was very strict about what I put in my mouth, read all the labels of products looking for hidden gluten.

After one full month of being gluten free I knew I was on the right track and was having less "bad days". After two full months of being gluten free, all my bad days were behind me, the MS symptoms were gone and I was on my way to a new healthier life!!!! Eliminating gluten has been nothing short of miraculous for my health. Not only did it put my MS into remission but it reversed several other non-MS related issues I had suffered with for decades like acid reflux, canker sores, depression, and more.

For some of us with issues, gluten is poison. I do not miss nor do I crave it because frankly, NOTHING tastes as good as feeling healthy feels.

And today at 62, I take no and need no pharmaceutical drugs, my BP and cholesterol are perfect, I have no aches and pains, and sleep like a baby. I am living proof that you are what you eat.

Re: Has anyone noticed any difference with gluten-free diet?

bluechat — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:27:08 GMT

Yes! I have been GF and DF for about 3yrs.( Although I'll admit to cheating a little at times.) My skin is clearer, and tummy is flatter. I tend to gain in my belly and when I stay off gluten, dairy, processed foods, I notice a difference and feel better. As a diabetic, I also have better numbers. It's difficult at first but you can do it! Good Luck.