Help me! Gluten free!?

Question

After 3 months or so of stomach aches, diarrhea day in day out, pains in my side, etc, I finally went to the doctors and have been told I have IBS as a result of gluten intolerance.

I don't know what foods I eat now! Even soup has it in! (in terms of wheat flour)

Also, will any of this mean a loss in weight?

Answer 1

Your Doctor can also help with a list of G.F foods. Do you get free prescriptions? these foods can be prescribed by your Dr. if not you will find a section in most large supermarkets where you can find suitable items.

Answer 2

If you are having problems with gluten it's because of Celiac Disease. IBS is just a syndrome (and yes it could be a symptom of Celiac but it doesn't cause Celiac) and something as simple as having a lot of stress can cause it (I have IBS). I would recommend that you get tested to confirm that you have Celiac. If one dr won't do it pls find another GI (gastroenterologist) dr that will.

Many drs in this country (the U.S.) don't realize that Celiac disease is a very real problem that unfortunately can't always be picked up by blood work so the next best thing is a biopsy of the small intestine.

In the mean time pls checkout http://www.glutenfree.com

This is a place that has a lot of foods that you can buy without gluten and they will also tell you which stores in your area carry the products they carry. There are also some excellent recipes on this website.

To learn more about Celiac check out: http://www.celiac.com.

Answer 3

I have a friend that I cook for occasionally that is VERY gluten intolerant. She shops at health food stores like Atkins, and Whole Foods. They make a large variety of gluten free foods, even brownies! She referred me to this website when I asked her for help in cooking for her.

As for weight loss, I don't think so, but it really will depend on how you alter your eating habits. If you keep eating the way you were, but gluten free, then you probably won't lose weight. If you use this as an opportunity to start eating healthier than you were, you might see a big improvement.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

If you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is a Wheat and Gluten Intolerance, also barley, oats and rye. You need to follow the diet very carefully. What I would suggest is that you research on celiac.com or celiac spru. There are many many foods that contain wheat (even Twizzlers do). You will need to read all of your food labels extremely carefully. As far as weight loss, each one of us is different, I gained weight. Good Luck to you and I hope this helps. It does seem a bit overwhelming at first, however, you will get used to it.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago.

Answer 5

I had the same problem and have now been on a gluten free diet since Sep 2006. Trust me it gets easier once you know what you can and can't eat and what to look for.

I good tip is to look at the ingredients as you have done, also most supermarkets has a section of dairy/gluten free foods. Just ask where it is as it can be tricky to find sometimes.

I generally eat youghurt and fruit for breakfast, sometimes a little bit of gluten free cereal (cornflakes has a tiny bit of barley in it but has been ok for me so worth a try as much cheaper than gluten free). Another thing to try for breakfast is quinoa which is a South American grain a bit like rice or cous cous that is completely gluten free. it's nice like a porridge to eat with honey, rasins, milk, fruit etc.

You can have rice, veg, potatoes and protiein. Be careful with processed ready meals, powder sauces and such as they can have hidden flour in them. Also - get gluten free soy sauce as most soy sauces has wheat in them.

I'm not sure if you are in the Uk or not but Sainsbury's has a range called Free From that have great corn flour pasta which taste just like normal pasta as well as frozen pizza. Tesco also has pitta bread and rolls which are nice if you put them in the oven for a while.

I did find that I lost a bit of weight not eating gluten anymore as you tend to have a bit of a lower carb diet. Also your body can process the foods you now give it and it helps you digest better.

I personally felt better than I ever done and manage really well now and it's rarely I find I really miss something.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

HI. Poor you! I have been gluten free for nearly 5 years now thanks to IBS. To start with, it was hard, but now, to be honest, I dont miss the food with it in as even a small amount causes symptoms to worsen.
DONT PANIC! It is 'doable'.
All the major supermarkets have a gluten-free section, it is more expensive than 'normal' food and doesnt taste as nice!
I tend to buy the pasta as this is good staple food.
I am eating more healthily now, as I dont have snacks for me in the house so eat fruit more.
I love Bathcelors soups at the moment - really healthy, not added ingredients and no gluten!
As a treat or if I am feeling low in carbs, I will buy some Tesco muffins from their free-from section. These are yummy with spreads on!
I bake chocolate cake from a pre-made mix from the gluten free section. I add my own ingredients, like chocolate or banana to cheer the flavour up.
I buy a large supply of gluten free bread to take on holidays as I can supplement the food out and about.
You can do this quite easily, once you know which foods/makes you can or cant eat.
Eating in restaurants can be tricky, and you sometimes need to spell it ou to them! I take my own gravy granules if eating a roast somewhere other than at home.
Salads sometimes have gluten food in them, like bacon bits or croutons, just check.........
The main thing is find foods you love that are gluten free and enjoy them!
Waitrose do some lovely ready made curries that are also gluten free - that satisfies my 'take away' cravings!
Let me know if you want to chat more.........

Answer 7

this is just up my street! my son has been on a gluten and dairy free diet for 10 years, you can get prescriptions off the gp for gluten free bread, pasta, biscuits, pizza bases, flours etc, if you buy yearly prescr its cheaper, many shops eg tesco, sainsburys have excellent range, many are labelled gluten free, the coeliac society is good find it on the net, you may lose weight a little but the symptoms will ease, cross contamination can occur using implements that touch other food, good luck

Answer 8

Visit your doctor who can give you a prescription for gluten free food or speak to a pharmacist who can give you information of gluten free manufacturers.

Most major supermarkets sell a large range of gluten free food from pasta to biscuits etc

Answer 9

All major supermarkets have a gluten free section; the items do cost a bit more though. But you can get gluten-free everything these days.
Don't know about weight loss though.

Answer 10

You want the gluten free directory from this place

http://www.coeliac.co.uk/