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I have been diagnosed with Chron's since I was 12.  My diet has been hit or miss.  As I am getting older I do not recover like I used to. Has anyone tried a gluten free diet and if so has it helped you?

 Reply posted for gabriel63.

I don't notice much of a difference as far as digestion goes with gluten, but I do notice that I am much more clear headed and less fatigued when I avoid gluten (symptoms commonly associated with eating gluten).  I am a trained natural foods chef, which came in very handy when I was diagnosed with Crohn's.  I keep a blog where I post recipes and product reviews, most of which are gluten free and contain little to no soy as well. www.veggiefixation.blogspot.com

 Reply posted for tired50.

Pretty much every alternative diet/food program for IBD is gluten free.  Health food stores carry a lot of gluten free items.  I can tolerate buckwheat, GF oats and brown rice.  Make sure it cooked very well, I add more water to cook it until it is very soft.  

 Reply posted for tomperez1971.

Thank you so much for your reply.  Does health food stores carry a lot of gluten free products?  I been trying to research gluten free products online.

 Reply posted for tired50.

My wife and i both have Crohn's and have went almost totaly gluten free. WHAT A GREAT DIET!! we feel better, have more energy and have far fewer flares. i work for a health food grocery store and tell everyone i can about the dangers of wheat and gluten. Give it a try and see how well it works for you. hopefully you'll feel better in no time. 

 Reply posted for tired50.

I have experienced the symptoms of Crohn's since I was 6, but was recently diagnosed at age 26. I went 100% gluten-free and it has changed my life. A majority of my symptoms are dormant as a result. I had tremendous success with the diet and wanted to share the new found enthusiasm I had for gluten-free food and the lifestyle with others.

 Reply posted for cat64.

Yes I am very interested in those web pages.  Thank you for sharing.  Everything has been so help full.

 Reply posted for Karl40.

I was diagnosed in 1970, so I have been through a lot. Early on, I discovered an intolerance to milk products, so I eliminated all cow's milk derivatives. Recently, my doctor recommended a new way of eating. I use unsweetened almond milk when baking, am now gluten-free and sugar-free and do not eat red meat. Instead of sugar, I use Zylitol. For me, there are no residual problems associated with the Zylitol and it is a 1-to-1 substitution for regular sugar. I lost 20 pounds, and am no longer having difficulties with gas, bloating or diarrhea. The only medication I take is Welchol, three 625 mg tabs 2X a day. I haven't felt this good in many years! If you need some websites to go to for recipes, let me know and I'd be happy to share them with you!

 Reply posted for tired50.

This is what I think even though I don't have the experience that you do.  Gluten is in most foods now days but it is still healthy for people so if you cut it out of your diet, it will help you somewhere.  I find that eliminating soda except for an occasional diet pepsi has really cut back on my gas and abdominal pain although I still drink coffee like it is going out of style and it makes me a bit uncomfortable.  

 Reply posted for tired50.

If you can find some caffeine free tea and see if it calms your stomach and intestines. I am using, and you could try, a probiotic for
the building of beneficial bacteria in your system again. Plain foods and soft foods, chicken, fish, cooked veggies and fruits. That 
is what I did for the first 4 weeks of my treatment. Try things and see what works, I hope you feel better soon.


Mary

 Reply posted for gabriel63.

Thanks for responding.  I think I will try it.  I have also decided to not drink soda.  If I drink anything its ginger ale.  I am thinking that the caffeine  is really bothering my intestines.

 Reply posted for tired50.

I was first diagnosed with colitis about 30 years ago and required daily medication (azulphidine) which was at best marginal in effectiveness.  About 12 years ago I went on a gluten free diet.  I was skeptical, but decided to give it a two week try.  After doing so my symptoms gradually reduced.  I slowly backed off on the medication (over a two month period).  I have not used medication at all during the last 11 years and have been mostly symptom free.  My gastroenterologist says on examination that there is some inflammation, but I don't have symptoms from it.