Gluten free sceptic....

[Gidgeclev]

......is reluctantly finding that it does make a difference!

I have many acquaintances who have no health issues but are now ' gluten free' and make sure that all and sundry know about it... not a single molecule of gluten must pass their lips! (I also know one who doesn't eat nightshade family plants but happily consumes potato crisps in the pub, but that's another story). They do it because it is 'better for you' but can't actually tell me what health issues it has improved. I have been suitably scathing about such nonsense.

BUT (and this is a huge BUT), I started Slimming world a week ago and the result is that I have eaten no bread or pasta at all. My horrible heartburn has gone and I am feeling much more energetic. I am eating my words..( I hope they are on the free food list).

[Salphy]

I too was a sceptic. Started it half assed. Ate what I wanted on holidays birthdays etc but gf majority of the time and my antibodies remaines high. until I started to realise that I wasn't as bloated and when I did eat it I got belly ache and was uncomfortable for about 12-24 hours after.

At first I convinced myself it was coincidence. But after a few more times I couldn't deny it. So now have been strictly gf because it's just not worth it. Then today my bloods came back and my antibodies have halved and almost near normal range. So I won't be going back. X

[shaws Administrator in reply to Salphy]

Well done and it is worth the sacrifice to reduce your antibodies so much.

[greygoose]

It's like most things : helps some, doesn't help others. Not everybody is sensitive to gluten, but some people are. I stuck a boring gluten/dairy/sugar-free diet for three months and it didn't do a thing for me! And, when I started eating all the 'bad' things again, I didn't feel any worse, so obviously, none of that was my problem. But it is a problem for a lot of people.

However, I can imagine your annoyance at people who claim it's 'better for you', without being able to tell you why! Same goes for a lot of people that insist taking iodine, going vegan/veggie, giving up salt, giving up fat, taking multivits, etc. etc. etc. is 'better for you'. If you can't list any improvements, then it's hardly likely to be 'better for you', is it.

[Gidgeclev in reply to greygoose]

I have also had the iodine recommendations. A friend said I should try it because it solved her thyroid problems. I gave her a serious look and then she said that she didn't actual have a diagnosed thyroid problem but she felt a bit run down which she self diagnosed as being due to a sluggish thyroid and after 3 months of kelp tablets she felt much better.

[greygoose in reply to Gidgeclev]

lol Well, she probably would, because a lowish dose of iodine, in the beginning, stimulates the thyroid to make more hormone. But, it's a good job she gave up after 3 months, because after that, things might have got more serious! But that didn't mean she had a thyroid problem to begin with.