For many years, doctors thought that patients had to be underweight in order to have celiac disease. It’s true that some people with the condition are underweight because they can’t absorb nutrients in the food they’re eating due to malabsorption issues. These days, however, more and more people are either a “normal” weight or overweight than anything else.
If I had a dollar for every person who told me that their doctor told them they were “too fat to have celiac” I would be able to buy a very expensive gluten-free dinner for myself. When certain celebrities (one of which wrote a book) started touting the gluten-free diet as the next weight loss fad diet, I knew that plenty of people were probably going to spend a fortune on gluten-free foods like bread, pasta, pizza, and bagels and then freak out when the scale moved the wrong way. Losing weight on the gluten-free diet can be done, but it’s much easier if you forego gluten-free replacement foods.
Finally, many mainstream websites are starting to report what many of us have known for a while. Gluten-free replacement foods tend to be higher in fat, calories, and sugar than the items they are meant to replace. It took me a while to figure out that I couldn’t eat all the gluten-free carbohydrates my heart desired and not pay a price for it. As they say, everything is in moderation and that is definitely true when it comes to noshing on gluten-free bagels, pizza, baguettes, muffins, crackers, pasta, pizza, and everything else you can think of.
After I started paying attention to the amount and type of carbs I was eating, I was able to modify my snacking habits to support a healthier lifestyle. My last physical proved that my efforts are paying off and I didn’t have to forego my favorite gluten-free items. I just had to make a conscious effort to enjoy them in moderation. Making sure to include gluten-free oats in my diet has proved a very good idea as well. Everyone who can safely eat gluten-free oats might want to consider making them a normal part of their diet.
Many people that are able to lose weight by eating gluten-free stick to eating mostly whole foods, leaving out processed items like gluten-free bread, pasta, pizza, etc. Anyone who does that will likely lose weight whether gluten agrees with them or not. For me, enjoying a gluten-free bagel or crusty baguette every so often is just too enjoyable to give up totally, but having days where I avoid all gluten-free replacement foods allows me the privilege of indulging in so-called empty carbs on other days.
The way I look at it is that we’re already giving up many of the foods we grew up eating, the joy of grabbing a spontaneous meal out (sans research), and countless other things we once took for granted. At least, we gave up doing things the way we used to. Now that there is a plethora of delicious gluten-free foods in every imaginable category available, there is no reason not to take advantage of them. After all, the thought of giving up gluten is enough to keep some people from being tested for celiac. To put it short and sweet – giving up gluten is enough. Breaking bread with friends is something worth eating empty carbs and calories for (in moderation) – no doubt!
I know this may sound silly but I wish gaining weight were my problem! Since being diagnosed, I have continued to lose weight despite a balanced diet with an appropriate amount of calories. I have always had a high matoblism, but have found since going GF that I can’t keep weight on. I am the type who actually wants to gain weight and struggle for every pound I can get or even keep sometimes/
Hi Chriss,
I am new to the gluten free diet and trolling the internet to find foods I can eat. Like you, I struggle to gain weight. I wanted to offer a suggestion to you that helps me. Have you ever heard of ghee? It is traditional Indian clarified butter. It is delicious! Though you can learn to make it from organic unsalted butter yourself through trial and error, I have it made locally.
It is so interesting how people with celiac have totally different symptoms and side effects. Mine is gaining weight as well, and I know for a fact I eat too many replacement foods. Even with regular exercise it is almost impossible for me to get the scale to move south. My new years resolution is definitely going to be cutting the carbs. Not to eliminate them, but to significantly cut them down.
that is DEFINITELY going to be my new year’s resolution too!
I was diagnosed with celiac at the end of 2008, and it seems like ever since then I’ve been “chasing that real gluten taste.” Pastas are NO WHERE near as good, and bread, let’s not even go there. I have gained about 20 pounds, and it is sad, I recently found non-refrigerated gf bread at Whole Foods, and it is the best tasting, most delicious bread ever!! I have no idea how they made this bread taste so good, anddddd you don’t have to freeze it!! Look for it in your Whole Foods bakeries… they have mountain white, cinnamon raisin, and san juan 5 grain (the best one). You will be so happy that you tried it. Happy Holidays to all!
I am really struggling to gain weight after going gluten free as well. I’ve never been large (5’2 and 100lbs was normal for me for years) but I’ve plummeted to a very unhealthy 90. I also am suposed to avoid dairy – there went my yogurt and cheese and losing my pasta has been killer. Unfortunately by bowels are better therefore I know this is necessary! Any ideas to put some weight on would be much appreciated. As an aside it wasn’t my doctors advice even though I was diagnosed colitis 20 years ago – on a friends suggestion I went to see a naturopath – she picked it up immediately.
Trish,
I have so many allergies that my doctor told me to ignore some of them (all gums, i.e. Xanthan, Acacia, etc.) so I can attempt to put on a little weight. One of my allergies is with dairy, however, I can handle ghee just fine. I am told it is most compatable with the fat in our body. I am liberal with olive oil and organic sunflower oils in my food. Have you tried the Indian paneer cheese or feta cheese? Sometimes I find just a very little is ok. When I get carried away, that is when I am in trouble.