I am new to being gluten-free but I have some thoughts on what is happening to me and wondered if they make any sense to anyone else. Up until a few years ago I was always thin, but eat huge amounts of food. I'm talking like 3000 calories a day because I always felt like I was starving. Granted a few years ago I finally began putting on weight and am now over weight but not unbelievably so. Well, in the short time (week) of finally being gluten-free, I find I am eating half that amount and am deeply satisfied with my meals. I find I do need to split them up over 4 or 5 small meals as I tend to get a bit shaky. Anyway, here's my theory, for the previous 39 years of my life, I was starving and I had to eat insane amounts of food to get enough nutrition. Now that I am no longer eating gluten, which is poisonous to me, my body can begin to absorb nutrients for the first time and I no longer need to eat so much. Are sudden improvements really possible? I know I'm not feeling perfect by any means, but I don't feel like I am dying anymore!!! I am starting to wonder if it is possible to live a pain-free life....

Wondering what others have experienced in the early days and if you have any suggestions for me.
Thanks!!
Rivka

All things are possible Rivka! Yes, your observation and analysis is correct. You are very fortunate to be responding so quickly. Yeah!!!

I am 61 & I live a pain free life!!!

I had a broken knee three years ago, major surgery, 2 metal plates & six screws in my knee, not only do I walk without a limp, I have no pain what-so-ever. My surgeon is amazed!!! I need to call him, he is supposed to write me & my gluten-free diet up in the medical journals - since I still do not have debilitating arthritis in that knee (or anywhere else!) like he predicted!!!

I had been mostly wheat free for 10 years, thinking I had a wheat allergy (along with all my other food allergies) & gluten-free for 1 year when I broke my knee. I hiked 10 miles the day before... I quit taking pain meds 2 days after surgery & started taking 2 regular Advil. had surgery on Friday went for a check up on Monday & the doctor & staff had their mouths hanging open because I was off pain med. I tried to get them to go gluten-free, but... Evidently this was some fancy complicated surgery because several doctors came to watch it. One of the doctors came by my bed when he left & said "as tough as you are, you will not have any problems with recovery" !!!

Our health depends on the food that we eat!!!

So, yes I am sure you will have a beautiful pain free life.

Yes, food is definitely more satisying now that I'm off gluten. I had a compulsive eating disorder all my life--from childhood on (even ate dirt as a kid, not just once, but many times). I would always binge on the carbs, eat a carb heavy dinner and still be looking around for food. I was never super thin, but I never got heavily overweight, either.

Now i can eat a gluten free meal and be DONE. I can't tell you what a relief that is. To eat just, say, a baked potato with cheese, and some vegetables and not be hunting around the kitchen for more food. During the first week, I was still coming off the gluten and I did overeat on gluten free treats. But the cravings for desserts and snacks has gone way down. Like you, I have found I need more frequent, small meals. This morning I had brown rice with walnuts and raisins and some soy milk for breakfast, then 1 1/2 hours later found myself very hungry for a yogurt. And that satisfied me, whereas in the past I'd be thinking, "That wasn't enough food."

I'm convinced gluten is a drug and makes those of us sensitive to it get the munchies.