Gluten and dairy-free query

[Reader74]

Hi all. I'm new today and determined to make this diet work this time. Does anyone else have to struggle with gluten and dairy-free eating normally and then trying to diet? So difficult as you are on a healthy diet anyway.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Reader74 and a very warm welcome to the Weight Loss Forum 😊

Please take a look at the Welcome Newbie Post for advice about how the forum works and all the things we have on offer. Read it carefully as it has lots of important information, and just ask if you have any questions. healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

The best advice I can give is have enough to eat. If you are following the NHS 12 Week plan then the 1400/1900 calorie target suggested is a just generic amount, please check your own personal calorie target using the BMI checker, it’s often higher than you think. We always advise starting towards the top of the range, being hungry is the biggest cause of weight loss failure. This is especially important if you have dietary restrictions, you will need to ensure you are having enough of all the essential food groups, including fats. Are you getting any help from a dietician?

I also highly recomend coming onto the forum regularly, daily if you can, reading posts and replying to others. Being part of a community is proven to help weight loss. Why not join our daily chat thread ‘What’s Happening Today?’ healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

For your own privacy and safety online we suggest that you lock your posts by selecting ‘followers in my community’ when you write a new post. If you don’t do then your post and all it’s replies will be visible to anyone doing a simple internet search. For this reason some of our members will not reply to you. Please read our security post here. healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Best wishes and have a good first week

Indigo 😊

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Reader74

I eat a low carb diet that is naturally gluten free and this may help with going low carb and dairy free

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/rec...

Just make sure you get your healthy fats in other forms and steer clear of gluten free products, as they have umpteen other things in them, to make up for the lack of gluten.

[Barcud 48kg]

Hi Reader74 , not an easy one, I'd say the main thing is to ensure you are getting enough calories from good sources. I have a friend who I frequently cook for who is on a gluten free lactose free vegetarian diet, the Realfoods website has some good recipes and caters for gluten free and dairy free. Avoiding substitutes is sound advice from moreless .

[Healthyheart1 6lbs]

Yes,with gluten it's more of a tolerance problem. I've put loads of weight since I started to have a normal diet.

[Reader74 in reply to Healthyheart1]

Hi healthy heart. I have been Coliac for35 years so will never go back to a normal diet but I do know about gluten-free products being very high in calories so I generally make from scratch

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Healthyheart1]

I don’t have a gluten problem but I find as I have got older I need far less carbohydrates or else I feel very bloated and uncomfortable 😕

Have a look at the Information Morelss gave you, I’m sure you’d find it interesting

[Reader74]

Thank you I will remember it

[Hidden]

Hello Reader74. Can I ask, are you currently not eating gluten or dairy or are you trying to cut them out of your diet and find alternitives?

[Reader74 in reply to Hidden]

Hi BlueMat. I have been Gluten-Free for 35 years and Dairy-Free for 30 years mainly because of IBS and Coliac disease, and I am so ill with eating them that you just learn to be without. I have tried alternatives to dairy and now stick to Goats milk and cheese and Alpro yogurts and ice-cream. What with cooking meals from scratch so knowing what goes into them it's hard to know what to cut down on to lose weight as this diet is already low in calories.

[Hidden in reply to Reader74]

Ah, I see, I didn't know from your message which way around it was.

I am gluten intolerant and I don't really get on with dairy.

I don't know what you eat but I wonder if you are choosing low fat stuff, root veg and fruit? For me, at least, banishing low fat and cutting right back on root veg and fruit was the key to loosing weight.

If you are cooking your own food then you are in a very good place to make a go of this.

I notice moreless has suggested the diet doctor web site. It is fab, so many idea that really work.

Please let us know how you are doing.

[Reader74 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the good ideas. Not tried any of them before but will get straight on to it. Reader74

[Nowisthetime 2 stone in reply to Reader74]

Hi there! I was gluten and dairy free for years due to severe IBS. I can eat more now but I noticed how high in cals a lot of the substitutes were. I have switched my Alpro products for Plain ones with no added sugar and my rice milk for unsweetened almond milk which has helped. Unfortunately My stomach really struggles with healthy veg and fruit/whole grain! 🤪 which is very annoying as I love healthy food. So I am trying to introduce more when I’m able. I have lots of sympathy with you. It is even more difficult when you can’t eat normal food! I am cheering you on. There will be a way round this xx

[Reader74 in reply to Nowisthetime]

Thank you Nowisthetime for your help and ideas. I've had a lot of advice so far so now must adjust my shopping list for next week.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Reader74]

I sense your frustration Reader74 😕 Maybe if you joined the Daily Diary and told us exactly what you’re eating we can suggest a few tweaks that should help you get things moving in the right direction 😊

[S11m]

Hi, Reader74

I have non-coeliac gluten intolerance... and consume hardly any dairy.

I thought I was getting away with eating some gluten, but my waist measurement went down four inches in a few weeks when I gave it up again.

[Reader74 in reply to S11m]

Thank you S11m, that reminds me how my grandson is, so it pays to be careful.

[Hidden]

I started this whole process with a wheat and dairy intolerance. I still have the dairy intolerance but wheat/gluten seems to be okay as long as I don't overdo it.

Here are my tips... experiment with asian cooking, tapas, mezze, things based around rice, alternative grains, roasted sweet potatoes, lettuce wraps etc, dig around in charity shops and libraries for earthy old vegetarian books for new ideas. Replace dairy with cashew butter, chickpeas, engevita nutritional yeast. Lastly look out for "light and easy" a dairy and wheat free recipe book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. See it as an opportunity to experiment

[Reader74 in reply to Hidden]

Reader74. There are some great ideas here, thank you very much. I know whom I can borrow a H.F.W. book from so I will start there.

[Bungiecat]

Hi yes in the past due to IBS I have been on a dairy free and gluten free diet at one time both together were cut out as long as you stay within your calorie allowance you should still be able to

Lose weight Gail

[Reader74 in reply to Bungiecat]

Thank you for your advice, I'm hoping it will work for me too. Reader74

[Bungiecat in reply to Reader74]

I am here if you need help Gail