wheat free

[twoton]

Has anyone else gone on a wheat free diet?

 

[tutkunadam]

yes I did and I am very happy. I have quit all kinds of it, gluten free, beer anything from wheat makes me bad. i put on weight, it makes me feel bad, lots of GI problems.

BUT: I miss it like a pervert! whenever I see a bakery I breath the smell of fresh bread and think of a piece of butter melting in it. I do not plan to eat it anymore. So many times in my life I tried to adapt my body to wheat and its compounds - now i give in, nothing i eat tastes good like it was with bread but i had to give up.

I think eating wheat is not suitable for the human body. maybe the predecessors started to eat it after finding a way to grind it, maybe in my genetic code it does not exist

 

[twoton]

I've been mostly off wheat since early October, with a few breaks once in a while. This afternoon I ate a small cupcake and within a few minutes my upper GI felt crampy, right under my ribcage. I don't know if that was for real or if it was placebo.

So far my experience is not that I feel better, but I realized that I don't feel bad, if that makes sense. 99% of the time I don't have any cravings for wheat products at all.

I have lost some weight and I'm not sure if it's because of a decrease in overall calories or if the wheat has something to do with it. I eat when I'm hungry, so cutting calories is not something I'm consciously doing.

 

[223790]

I'm celiac, so I have to avoid all wheat, barley and rye 100%. There is a thread somewhere on this site about being gluten free. The difference being gluten free for the last 4 years has made to my health has been nothing short of remarkable. I'm also dairy free, vegetarian and on a low sugar diet which has also greatly benefited my health.

 

[Snarky_succubus]

Yep. Paleo is completely free of grains, dairy, and legumes. I honestly never feel better than when I'm sticking to a paleo diet. I've done vegan/vegetarian before and I was absolutely miserable. Bloated/lethargic/sickly... I think that the lack of protein and extra grains played a big role in the way that I felt. The fewer of them I consume, the better... Wheat or otherwise.

 

[echopeak]

Wheat does very bad things to me. Technically, I don't have any actual food allergies, but they are secondary to my Leaky Gut Syndrome. I have severe wheat and dairy allergies, among a few others. The dairy allergy is deadly severe. The wheat allergy is severe, while I can't even eat grocery store meat or most home-raised meat, where it has been farmed on a heavy or partial grain diet, because that causes issues as well.

We've raised our own pastured and forage only animals, and that meat is just fine for me, as well as wild harvested game, which is no trouble.

Otherwise I have a basically vegan diet, heavy on fresh greens all the time. I don't feel lacking. After my daily workouts, I take Glutamine powder, which helps rebuild my intestinal walls from the Leaky Gut, as well helps aid muscle recovery.

Even for those who don't have food allergies or issues, I would recommend going gluten free. I would also recommend at minimum growing your own greens. There are many small varieties of greens that you can grow even in a windowsill in a small apartment if that is all the space you have.

 

[Daisy]

I am TRYING!!!
It's really hard though when there is just nothing else. Typically I just eat paleo but breakfast is always really hard. Eggs make me feel sick so that leaves pretty much nothing for breakfast foods. I know I'm at my best when I'm wheat/grain/sugar free but the environment we live in makes is fucking hard sometimes.

One thing I gave up and have 100% stuck to is soda. Soda is so terrible in so many ways. I don't miss it at all.

 

[Snarky_succubus]

I am TRYING!!!
It's really hard though when there is just nothing else. Typically I just eat paleo but breakfast is always really hard. Eggs make me feel sick so that leaves pretty much nothing for breakfast foods. I know I'm at my best when I'm wheat/grain/sugar free but the environment we live in makes is fucking hard sometimes.

One thing I gave up and have 100% stuck to is soda. Soda is so terrible in so many ways. I don't miss it at all.

I had to just make myself a let go of the idea of "breakfast foods"…

With the exception of the occasional Paleo pancakes or muffins, of course

 

[IL_Guy]

I'm gluten intolerant and would not recommend going gluten free unless you absolutely had to. Do you really want to pass on birthday cake and holiday desserts completely?? Cutting back is enough. But, if you are looking for gluten-free stuff, as a substitute for eggs, try gluten-free oatmeal with blueberries (1 cup) in the morning. Things like Paleo and Atkins, while each has experienced its high watermark of trendiness, tend not to be sustainable. I tried both ages ago (cult of Cross Fit) and felt like a heart attack was imminent. I was 32.

 

[twoton]

Yeah, I'm definitely not gluten-free as would be the case for someone with celiac disease. Someone in my family has celiac disease and her situation is very different from mine. But I know that my digestive system feels better without wheat.

I really don't miss the wheat. If there's a birthday cake, or something like that, I do eat it. (generally feel a little sick afterward, but I eat it anyway). A few weeks ago I had a slice of pizza and the heavy, gummy crust was so unappetizing that I only ate one piece.

I eat a lot of oatmeal, and if I really need a fix, I'll make something from America's Test Kitchen's gluten free cookbook. The recipes are awesome, and don't taste anything like 'traditional' gluten free cooking, which usually doesn't taste good.

 

[twoton]

Paleo is expensive, though.

 

[sizequeenNY]

I have celiac and am grain free. I can't say I'm Paleo because I have Greek yogurt and hard cheese(according to many, dairy is a gray area). It can be more expensive but it depends on what you're buying and where you're buying. If there are stores in your area that sell bulk produce, it can be more cost effective. You can also check online for non organic safe foods, because they have thicker skins or shells. It's less expensive spring to fall for buying produce, I'm kind of bored of what is out now. If you shop ahead for a week, planning meals around what is on sale helps too

If only I can find cheaper "happy eggs" it would be good(humane seal, cage free, hormone free)

 

[Snarky_succubus]

I have celiac and am grain free. I can't say I'm Paleo because I have Greek yogurt and hard cheese(according to many, dairy is a gray area). It can be more expensive but it depends on what you're buying and where you're buying. If there are stores in your area that sell bulk produce, it can be more cost effective. You can also check online for non organic safe foods, because they have thicker skins or shells. It's less expensive spring to fall for buying produce, I'm kind of bored of what is out now. If you shop ahead for a week, planning meals around what is on sale helps too

If only I can find cheaper "happy eggs" it would be good(humane seal, cage free, hormone free)

A lot of people who eat paleo only stay about 80% paleo if someone really busted your balls about it, you could say you eat a primal diet... Not that it matters.

 

[Snarky_succubus]

Paleo is expensive, though.

You pay for it in one way or another. It's a question of priorities. I'm not about to tell anyone else what their priorities should be... But I haven't had to spend money on dr visits or prescriptions in YEARS. The only thing I see a dr for is an ambien prescription for insomnia Ive had since I was a toddler. I don't blow money on booze, clubbing, or partying. I spend the extra on food that enhances my health and quality of life... And I did the same even when I made crappy money. You can eat healthy (even paleo) on a budget. It just takes some dedication.

 

[sizequeenNY]

A lot of people who eat paleo only stay about 80% paleo if someone really busted your balls about it, you could say you eat a primal diet... Not that it matters.

Primal sounds sexier

 

[Snarky_succubus]

Primal sounds sexier

Hahaha good point

 

[echopeak]

You pay for it in one way or another. It's a question of priorities. I'm not about to tell anyone else what their priorities should be... But I haven't had to spend money on dr visits or prescriptions in YEARS. The only thing I see a dr for is an ambien prescription for insomnia Ive had since I was a toddler. I don't blow money on booze, clubbing, or partying. I spend the extra on food that enhances my health and quality of life... And I did the same even when I made crappy money. You can eat healthy (even paleo) on a budget. It just takes some dedication.

This +10

 

[Daisy]

I had to just make myself a let go of the idea of "breakfast foods"…

With the exception of the occasional Paleo pancakes or muffins, of course

I know, totally. I can't tell you how many times I've had grilled chicken for breakfast, even salad.

I'm gluten intolerant and would not recommend going gluten free unless you absolutely had to. Do you really want to pass on birthday cake and holiday desserts completely?? Cutting back is enough. But, if you are looking for gluten-free stuff, as a substitute for eggs, try gluten-free oatmeal with blueberries (1 cup) in the morning. Things like Paleo and Atkins, while each has experienced its high watermark of trendiness, tend not to be sustainable. I tried both ages ago (cult of Cross Fit) and felt like a heart attack was imminent. I was 32.

Hell yes I can give up birthday cake. Its disgusting. There is absolutely no danger in going gluten free. With all of the GMO's they put in grains and dairy you are far more healthy without it.

The problem with "gluten free" is things like rice flour. That is just as unhealthy. I guess it depends on why you're doing it. If it's weight loss than the vast majority of gluten free stuff is off limits. If it's celiac then yes.

According to Dr Davis (wheat belly diet)

Consume rarely or never:

Gluten, which may be found in:
Gluten grains: barley, durum, einkorn, emmer, faro, kamut, rye, spelt, triticale/tricitum, wheat
Obvious foods containing gluten: wheat-based breads, pasta, noodles, cookies, cakes, pies, cupcakes, breakfast cereals, pancakes, waffles, pita
Other foods containing gluten: Baguettes, beignets, bran, brioche, bulgur, burrito, couscous, crepe, croutons, farina, focaccia, fu (gluten in Asian foods) gnocchi, graham flour, gravy, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed wheat starch, matzo, modified food starch, orzo, panko breadcrumbs, ramen, roux (wheat-based sauce or thickener), rusk, seitan, semolina, soba noodles (mostly buckwheat, but usually also include wheat), strudel, tabbouleh, tart, textured vegetable protein, udon noodles, wheat germ, wraps, vital wheat gluten, wheat bran, wheat germ, wraps
Beverages containing gluten: ales, beers, lagers, Bloody Mary mixes, flavored coffees, herbal teas made with wheat/barley/malt, malt liquor, flavored teas, vodkas distilled from wheat (Absolut, Grey Goose, Ketel One, SKYY, Stolichnaya) or other gluten-containing grains (Belvedere, Finlandia, Van Gogh), wine coolers containing barley malt, whiskey distilled from wheat or barley (Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Jameson, etc.)
Breakfast cereals: Bran cereals (All Bran, Bran Buds, Raisin Bran), Corn flakes (Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Crunchy Corn Bran), Cream of Wheat, Farina, granola cereals, “healthy” cereals (Smart Start, Special K, Grape Nuts, Trail Mix Crunch), Malt-O-Meal, muesli, mueslix, oat bran, oat cereals (Cheerios, Cracklin’ Oat Bran, Honey Bunches of Oats), oatmeal (if you’re severely gluten-intolerant – otherwise it’s a food to limit, see above), popped corn cereals (Corn Pops), puffed rice cereals (Rice Krispies)
Cheeses made with cultures that come in contact with bread: Blue cheese, cottage cheese (not all), Gorgonzola cheese, Roquefort
Coloring/fillers/texturizers/thickeners: artificial colors, artificial flavors, caramel coloring, caramel flavoring, dextrimaltose, emulsifiers, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed wheat starch, maltodextrin, modified food starch, stabilizers, textured vegetable protein
Energy, protein, and meal replacement bars: Clif Bars, Gatorade Pre-Game Fuel Nutrition Bars, GNC Pro Performance Bars, Kashi GoLean bars, Power Bars, Slim-Fast meal bars
Fast food – where oil may be used to fry gluten-containing foods and cooking surfaces may be shared; also fast-food saurces, sausages, and burritos typically contain wheat or wheat-based ingredients
Meats: breaded meat/poultry/fish, canned meats, self-basting chicken, deli meats (luncheon meats, salami), ham, hamburger (if breadcrumbs are added), hot dogs, imitation bacon, imitation crabmeat, meatballs (if breadcrumbs are added),pepperoni, sausage, self-basting turkey
Sauces, salad dressings, condiments: Gravies thickened with wheat flour, ketchup, malt syrup, malt vinegar, marinades, miso, mustards containing wheat, salad dressings, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce
Seasonings: bacon bits (imitation), curry powder, seasoning mixes, taco seasoning
Snacks and desserts: cake frosting, candy bars, chewing gum (powdered coating), Chex mixes, corn chips, dried fruit (lightly coated with flour), dry roasted peanuts, fruit fillings with thickeners, jelly beans (not including Jelly Bellies and Starburst, which are okay), granola bars, ice cream (cookies and cream, Oreo Cookie, cookie dough, cheesecake, chocolate malt), ice cream cones, licorice, nut bars, pies, potato chips (including Pringles), roasted nuts, tiramisu, flavored tortilla chips, trail mixes
Soups: Bisques, broths, bouillon, canned soups, soup mixes, soup stocks and bases
Soy and vegetarian products: Veggie burgers (Boca Burgers, Gardenburgers, Morningstar Farms), vegetarian “chicken” strips, vegetarian chili, vegetarian hot dogs and sausages, vegetarian “scallops”, vegetarian “steaks”
Sweeteners: Barley malt, barley extract, dextrin and maltodextrin, malt, malt syrup, malt flavoring
Flours
Wheat flours (e.g. all-purpose flour, bread flour, pastry flour)
Cornstarch, potato starch, tapioca starch, or rice starch
Amaranth flour, teff flour, millet flour, chestnut flour, quinoa flour (excessive carbohydrate exposure – acceptable when limiting carbohydrate exposure may not be as important, e.g. for kids)
Unhealthy oils
Hydrogenated fat, trans fats – in margarine and in many processed foods
Polyunsaturated oils (especially corn, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, cottonseed, soybean)
Fried foods, including fried meats. Minimize your exposure to high-temperature cooking; stay below 450 F (230 C)
Processed foods with multiple ingredients
Do not buy a processed or prepared food unless you can view the ingredients list as it may contain hidden gluten
Processed meats – e.g. bacon, pepperoni, salami, sausages – containing sodium nitrite
Gluten-free foods – specifically those made with cornstarch, rice starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch
Foods with artificial colorings and preservatives
Sweet foods
Dried fruit – figs, dates, prunes, raisins, cranberries (note that this is the advice in Wheat Belly; the Wheat Belly Cookbook allows dried fruit with no added sugar)
Sugary snacks – candies, ice cream, sherbet, fruit roll-ups, craisins, energy bars
Sugary fructose-rich sweeteners – agave syrup or nectar, honey, maple syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose
Sugar alcohols – mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, etc. (erythritol and xylitol are okay)
Soft drinks, carbonated beverages
Sugary condiments – jellies, jams, preserves, ketchup (if contains sucrose or HFCS), chutney
Food packaging
Minimize exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), found in clear hard plastics with recycling code number 7 and in the resin lining of cans

 

[Daisy]

sorry it didnt use punctuation in that previous list. Here is the "never" list:

Never:
Fried foods
Fast foods
Hydrogenated “trans” fats
Cured meats-hot dogs, sausages, bacon, bologna, pepperoni
High-fructose corn syrup containing foods; honey; agave syrup; sucrose
Processed rice, rice flour or potato products-rice crackers, rice cereals, pretzels, white breads, breakfast cereals, potato chips
Fat-free or low-fat salad dressings
”Gluten-free” foods

 

[cloverleaf]

I went wheat free and noticed no difference. I have noticed positive effects eliminating other things from my diet however. People wondering if there are things in their diet that bother them specifically should try an elimination diet.

I have no doubt wheat IS not good for many people.