I went GF last January (religiously GF from Feb as there were some things I didn’t realise had gluten in (soy sauce being one of them)).
It’s been the best thing I’ve done for my health. The most noticeable improvement was with fatigue and quality of sleep. I actually wake up feeling refreshed (before staying up past 9pm was a struggle and getting up even more so). I’ve lost a bit of weight (as I’ve had more energy for exercise) and my body looks less ‘puffy’. My skin is so much better (not dry) as is the quality of my hair- it doesn’t fall out anymore. I’ve also felt a bit warmer and don’t have to apply lip balm every 5 minutes (maybe once a day in the winter now). The best bit... no more dry mouth! I no longer have a water bottle attached to me.
If you’re considering it, it’s not actually too bad. Bit of a learning curve but worth it in the long run. Worth a month of decent probiotic too.
Couldn’t agree with you more Fortniteplayer, having been strictly GF for a good 18 months/2 years.
Only I’ve fallen off the GF wagon since Christmas. It all started with a craving for bread that actually tastes like bread and i’ve gone downhill from there.
Fortunately I don’t feel any worse just yet but i’m afraid that it’s probably only going to be a matter of time...
Also rate M & S brown/ oat GF bread. Have just bought a Panasonic bread maker with a GF setting BUT the bread I’ve made so far (using Doves Farm GF flour) has a weird texture, so definitely work in progress!
Do you think your gluten sensitivity / intolerance waxes and wanes, depending on what your thyroid is doing? I wonder whether mine does, thinking back over the years, there has definitely been periods of time when my body has handled it better and times when its not.
Try warburtons... the Sour dough cob and Tiger bloomer are pretty good to be fair! I usually lightly toast them
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I love the Tiger bloomer, so tasty when toasted, but so expensive!!
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I know... it adds up. But I haven’t found a decent GF recipe that works in my bread machine 😭 GF porridge is now my breakfast and I save toast for treats. Flavoured rice + chicken/veg for lunch at work everyday!
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I've not tried to make gf bread, but my baking attempts have been not the best looking, although tasted okay! I'm going to attempt the Doves Farm recipe, but I've only got fairy cake tins, so it won't be a Victoria Sponge!
Morrisons have a GF seeded cob that you can actually eat as bread. Also I’ve found a video on YouTube about making gluten-free pizza and bread using a bit of phsyllum husk flour as well as gluten-free flour I’ll dig it out and post the link.
I went gf for about a year and then slipped but didn’t get any symptoms back, the worst of which was constipation. I wonder if I ‘healed’ my gut. Might have to do it again.
I realise it's still soya but I use a Tamari sauce which is gluten free, just in case you miss eating it?
Also there's liquid aminos (often used instead of soya sauce) again gluten free but it's still soy; I love the flavour of this stuff, salty and savoury!
Another option though I've not tried it yet as it's often a bit pricey is coconut aminos which I beleive is gluten AND soya free. Now I'm making myself feel hungry!
I'm now actually looking forward to going gluten free...
I had previously reduced the amount of gluten I was eating but was referred for a Coeliac test at the time (gp didn't tell me it was included in the referral!) so the result could possibly have been inaccurate.
So since then I've been following guidance to eat gluten daily before getting a repeat test and I've been experiencing bloating, gurgling noises, wind (!) and tummy discomfort daily; not pleasant.
I realise it could be a number of things causing my symptoms but I'll be glad to get the test done again and either reduce gluten or cut it out completely depending on the result of the test.
As I love to make my own bread I'm now experimenting with no knead gluten free recipes so hopefully I'll find something that I like and is edible.
Please don't place too much reliance on the result of the test - Coeliac testing misses a lot of people as it doesn't test for enough. If you are getting reactions to gluten, feel better without it and have any autoimmunity, please at least try completely gluten free for a good amount of time - reducing isn't enough. I am grain free and have noticed considerable improvements. Best wishes
My GP gave me a Coeliac test too, which came back negative, but when I went back to the GP about something else, the 2nd GP believes it might have been wrong. Don't know what to think, other than not to eat gluten!
I’ve only been gf since December, I don’t mind the warburtons tiger GF bread (at least it’s not dry). I’m still learning that somethings have got gluten in them so I’m still hit and miss with some things. I’ve stopped crashing after eating and the rib pain has gone. Hair still falling out, but I guess it will take a while for my body to get right. My basal body temp is definitely better though, and I’m not as cold in the day. The other thing I noticed the other day, I need to pluck my eyebrows. I’ve not had to do that for a few years, so I guess it’s a good sign for my hair. Though I’ve still only got 15 - 20 hairs on my legs, lol.
My hubby does all the cooking and I can tell when he’s ‘glutened’ me. So We are still learning what’s ok and what’s not. I cheated tonight as we had chippy for tea and I wanted some fish and chips. Boy that was a mistake, it didn’t send me to sleep like I wanted it to do, I got a dose of IBS, which I’ve not had for years. Hoping that I will see more benefit as time goes on
I’m curious too! I experience a lot of what I would call rib pain/upper abdominal pain and GP always just suggests high acid and offers omeprazole etc...I think she’s wrong...I can’t work it out though
Mine is always on the right hand side and I get really bloated on that side right under the rib. Swapping brands of levo helped and eating cleaner. Was just curious if it was the same thing.
Sounds similar - my pain is central though. I don’t know if it’s related to levo brand, I haven’t looked into that yet. I started cleaning up my eating a few weeks ago 🤞🏽
My rib pain is generally on the left side, but has been on both when I was eating lots of gluten before my antibody test. It’s just at the bottom of the ribs around where the spleen is. It hurts to sit, walk, lie on the side. I know when I’ve mistakenly had gluten if I’ve not crashed, because of the rib pain. A few months back I had to stop wearing wired bras it was so bad and couldn’t do any hoovering (such a shame, lol). Even to press them hurt. I don’t think it’s down to brand as I’ve had this brand for awhile and the rib pain only started last sept/October
Hi Misty - a need to look and deal with the fish and chip/general takeaway situation - as most businesses have had to move over to serving through hatches/collections etc. Do research the "oil" that chip shops use - firstly note that you can always SMELL a chippy but don't they tend to use "deodorised" cooking oil? So the smell is??? Look at the pavements outside these shops and note the ingrained oil. Do you even want to ask "what oil do you use" and "how often do you change your cooking oil? So, many people will suffer afterwards, turn to "medicine" to deal with their indigestion either short term or for ever.
i took a mid evening walk yesterday, coolish, no rain - so quite pleasant. People were walking by with bagfuls from the restaurants/takeways up and down the highstreet.
I'm so sorry your takeaway was no treat. Mid/late evening worse still for eating anything as you're then slumped somewhere (hopefully not with some fizzy pop) or worse, trying to sleep but can't sleep of course. Expect the stomach to always rebel. Folk think that using cheapo meds to TRY and deal with the stomach problems is the way forward. Oh and, probably best to avoid cheapo "industrial type" bread - not even good for the ducks either.
So, we get unstuck/tempted and learn the hard way. Forgive yourself but remember and learn from that experience!
Yeah, I don’t have many take aways, for cross contamination reasons. There is a gluten free chippy a few miles away, so I think next time I fancy chippy I will make the drive to test it out 😊. I only have the warburtons tiger bloomer Gf bread now, I quite like that one. I don’t like using stomach meds, as I always think, if it wants out then it’s for a reason and nature should take its course
You will go through ups and downs. Simple things like we put normal bread in the toaster and I grill my gf bread in the oven on a tray to save cross contamination. I’m usually ok with chips from a takeout but try to get “decent” take out and can’t have vinegar anymore (malt... barely... gluten). McDonalds have separate friers for fries/hash browns (also they will serve burger meat on it own - also Gf). Subway has GF bread but often need to ask the staff to change gloves etc). Dominoes does GF outside of COVID. Starbucks is the worst offender - only 1-2 GF snacks. Wagamamas has a full Gf menu. A lot of pubs/ restaurants are really good for Gf now - worth checking whether they use separate friers etc.
It gets easier! L-Glutamine is worth having in case you do get glutened + plenty of water.
I miss vinegar, I love vinegar..maybe I’ll look at other vinegars - white or apple cider. But I only have it on chips and I don’t have them often, so that’s a plus. It’s definitely a big learning curve and a huge change in lifestyle habits 😊
Yes. It was possibly (weirdly) my most hated symptom - I could deal with fatigue; but to be constantly attached to a drink was a pain. I couldn’t go to bed without a bottle of water. I would end up drinking litres and never feel hydrated in my mouth. I’ve also since moved to drinking warm (half boiled half tap) water which has helped with digestion/bowels.
Ive been GF for a few years now but dud also fall off the wagon at xmas post xmas lol. I also tried GF bread from scratch - I tried soooo many recipes - but gave up. I find the New York bagels toasted are nice. And Schulor (or whatever they’re called) have nice sourdough little ciabatta roles. Most other stuff is gross 😂
Im going to try GF after my coeliac blood test next week so this is really positive to hear. Going to make a note of the bread tips too - bread and cakes are my downfall 🤭
GF aisle in Tesco and Sainsbury’s has some goooood cake Be aware, some have milk in so if you’re DF as well that could be an issue but 90% are milk free
have you not found that a lot of the gluten free ‘goodies’ contain Soy Lecticin - which I think with hashi’s we are supposed to avoid? or am I barking up completely the wrong tree lol
I went gluten free in July and it's been the best thing I ever did. I have so much more energy now, all my stomach issues have gone. My hair has stopped falling out, I assume because I am digesting food and absorbing nutrients better and my low iron has spontaneously cleared up (I've been able to give blood, that's how I know!). I'm also eating a lot cleaner since late December, which is also making a good difference. I'm going to have a Thriva blood test in a few weeks to see if there are other differences.
I too have really benefited from gf diet, and more recently including Paleo and avoiding nightshade foods (white potatoes, peppers etc). Cutting out rice and oats and refined sugar has been surprisingly beneficial. I had a post Xmas fall from the wagon which reminded me that l feel better without gluten and processed products, sugar etc. Feeling good and back on track, finding a new bread recipe helped: easy peasy to make by mixing 5 eggs with ground almonds, sesame, sunflower & pumpkin seeds. Recipe called Rustic Paleo bread with seeds on sugarfreelondoner.com
Pizza made with Doves Farm white bread flour (recipe on back of packet) was absolutely delicious and easy- and loved by all the family! I find it’s like learning to cook all over again so you can find ingredients and tips which work which you can then apply to your own baking and cooking. Definitely worth it!
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Be aware, some have milk in so if you’re DF as well that could be an issue but 90% are milk free 
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