Wheat-free? Is it worth the hassle?

lady_fuschia

Hiya,
Just looking for some ideas really.
A while back when I mentioned feeling tired and sluggish a friend suggested I try cutting out wheat products from my diet (pasta, bread, cous cous, you know, all the vegetarian staples...)
So I decided to give it a go, and after two weeks I did feel a bit more lively, less bloaty, need less sleep etc. Thing is, I found I couldn't really sustain the diet for much longer than that- got a bit sick of brown rice and potatoes, no matter how I tarted them up, there's only so much you can do. I thought I'd try some of that buckwheat or rice flour spaghetti, but was horrified by the price (I simply can't bring myself to spend £1.50 on a two meals worth bag of pasta).
So two questions:
1) Is there any point me doing this? Is there really any proven benefit to a wheat-free diet? Or am I just imagining it? (Gillian McKeith seems keen, mainstream science looks skeptical- when I mentioned it to my GP he took a bit of a non-commital "well too much of anything is bad for you.." approach)

2) Any ideas for non-wheat, or generally good non-lethargy-inducing vegetarian meals that won't cost a fortune to make or use ingredients I have to do a round trip of the next five towns to locate?

Thanks

climbgirl

My friend works as a personal trainer/nutritionist and is very anti the idea of cutting out one type of food group from your diet. What she suggested to me, (and what I've found works very well both in terms of having more energy and also in losing weight), is that you don't cut out wheat/carbs but you eat them at the right times of the day.

Carbs (which tend to be the wheat-filled foods!) are what you give you energy. So you eat them for breakfast and lunch and not for dinner. Dinner is all about the protein, meat, fish, leafy veges and greens. Nothing with too much starch or wheat, rice, pasta, potatoes etc.

I tried this for a while and found it made a massive difference to my energy levels. I do like pasta so I have it for dinner every once in a while and I find I'm always heavy and bloated afterwards now!

tru

I swapped white flour for wholemeal because I was bloated and tired too. I couldn't possibly give up my sandwiches lol. I can't cope with wholewheat pasta though, it tastes like cardboard

I've felt tons better since I switched.

sallywl

I had a similar thing, although i havent eaten bread for ages to prove a point to OH ....
anyway back to sluggishness..... do u feel cold more than u think u should? have u put on weight and not been able to shift it..... could be underactive thyroid..... best bet is to go to Dr, of course it could be blood sugar levels all that GI stuff, or maybe u need to exercise more get that ticker ticking a bit faster.

I have an underactive thyroid and it took the Dr ages to diagnose it. its just a thought, and prob wont be the cause but just thought id chuck it into the arena as something to poss consider if all else fails, dont want to scare monger tho LOL.

Not the having an UA thyroid is THAT bad.

brindles01

Can I recommend a look at this site https://www.waisays.com. It's not everyones cup of tea but I tried some of the ideas on it and transformed myself and I am now completely in tune with my body. I don't follow any strict regime with food, although I do only use lactose-free milk because regular milk gives me terrible wind and bloating. White processed bread does make me feel sluggish and I have to eat that in moderation. I don't eat any of the processed cereals with a high wheat content for breakfast, usually porridge oats (or the new Oatibix) with raisins and apricots for lasting energy. Good luck with sorting out your problems but give this a look first and hopefully it will help you in someway. PM me if you want any help or encouragement.

rhubarbs

As a wheat-eating non-vegetarian this dish could almost convert me! It is so simple but absolutely delicious.

Aubergine Parmigiana

serves 3-4

3 aubergines, cut lengthways into 1cm thick slices
1 ball mozzerella, torn up
parmesan
2 eggs, beaten
1 tin tomatoes blitzed smooth
pinch oregano
fresh basil

Dry aubergine slices then fry in a small amount of oil (be careful as aubergines soak up oil like a sponge!)
Mix the blitzed tomato with the dried oregano. Using a large lasagne dish put in a spoonful of tomato and spread over base.
Put a layer of aubergines on top of the tomato, followed by 1/2 the slices of mozzerella, some grated parmesan, 1/2 the beaten egg, some basil leaves and finally more tomato.
Repeat this layer.
Finish with another layer of aubergine followed by a few final blobs of tomato.
Bake in an oven at 180c for 30 mins.

Also works well with a combination of aubergine and courgette.

Topher

Sister tried wheat free, it worked for her, raised energy, reasonable weight loss and long waited pregnancy... Brother n Law may take some credit for that.

T

pboae

I stuck to a wheat free, dairy free diet for a couple of years. At first I felt great, then it didn't seem to be making that much difference, and I started slipping back. Now I am eating them again I can see how much better I was then, I guess I just got used to feeling well. I've got excsma (spl?) again, stomach problems, I'm not sleeping properly and I get tired so quickly. Yet despite all that, I still can't find the motivation to stick to the diet again. It is such a hassle, especially having to sort my lunches out, because it's so hard to get wheat free food when I am out and about with work.

YMMV of course, but personally I wish I had stuck to it while I was in the habit.

lady_fuschia

Thanks everyone, given me some more to think about anyway!

Its funny because part of me is probably really over-skeptical of "fad" diets and things like that- y'know, how we survived fine for years just eating a it of everything and now suddenly everybody's telling us we're gonna drop down dead if we don't eat quinoa and alfafa sprouts?
It does seem as if its quite trendy at the moment to see bread as the devil in food-form- for years I was told that wholemeal bread was really good for you.

Most of the wheat I do eat is wholemeal (even the pasta- I actually prefer wholemeal pasta to be honest). I guess the main reason I'm hoping its the answer to my prayers is because I do eat such a good diet generally- no junk food, very little processed, no alcohol as such, no ciggies (except passively!) no deep fried stuff and only the occasional bar of choccy. And I walk two miles two and from work every day and do yoga and dance, so you'd think I'd be the picture of health really- but I'm always so bl**dy tired! In a way I really want the whole wheat thing to be the answer!
I guess I'll slog it for another week or two, see what happens- I'll try the aubergine recipe and suggested websites too.
I don't think its an UA thyroid as I don't seem to particularly have any of the other symptoms (though good of you to post it, might give someone else a heads up if they need it)

Just the wheat avoidance is such a hassle- especially when you're veggy and don't especially like quorn either. I can see myself eating a LOT of lentils.

Linda32

Hi lady_fuschia, love the name btw

I follow a milk free diet, due to rottern IBS, I gave it up two years ago this August. I don't have milk in any foods or in any forms. I'll not deny its an hassle as first. But its sort of empowering as well, to be able to do somthing for yourself, when Doc's don't really know how to help.

Although my GP is excellent and dispatches you off for all sorts of blood tests at the drop of an hat, must cost the NHS a fortune.

I've been tested for everything under the sun and it all came back negative.

I feel lots better now :T So I'd say its worth it. PM me if you wish

linzibean

i really should try to be wheat free - though I'm on a limited budget for the week and my OH doesnt wat to put up with my odd diet I was recommended a lot of changes to help with my Endometriosis but I have found it hard to change over - I don't eat red meats and dairy, fried foods and I'm supposed to avoid wheat - but its a real pain! I know I need to get more motivated - but its hard going!!