Does Wheat Make You Fat?

This article makes a lot of sense to me.  I have found it true in my life that when I avoid gluten it is easier to stick with a healthy way of eating and I no longer crave things with it.  It isn't a sacrifice for me any more then not drinking alcohol is.  I am a recovering alcoholic for many years and I just know that it is easier for me to avoid it then it is for me to control it.  I am not a good moderation person when it comes to things that I am addicted to.  I can be perfectly moderate with things like exercise and housework but things like bread, cake, things with sugar, I just cannot have in moderation.  Yeah, I may start out good.  I might manage to eat a slice of bread and move on but inside I am convincing myself that I can handle it all the while obsessing about when I can have it again and maybe since I had a little this time a little more next time won't hurt.
I know that I have lost a lot of weight many times before, both with and without WLS.  And each time I lost 100 lbs or more it was when I totally cut out things with wheat in it.  And I also know that each and every time I regained that weight and more and it always, and I mean always, started by telling myself that I now that I haven't eaten it for a long time I can manage a small amount now.  And the lost weight would return and bring more and more with it each time.  Now when I find myself trying that argument I am able to stop it in it's tracks and not give in but redirect my thoughts to other things.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/wheat-gluten_b_1 274872.html

Whereas you are not good with moderation, I am equally not as good with deprivation.  The mere thought of never eating a particular food again would almost guarantee that I would be eating it within about 7 days.  Nothing is "one size fits all" (but, as formerly obese people, we already knew that!).  It is critical that each of us gains enough self awareness and insight to find (usually through trial and error) what works for us and what doesn't.

Your path to that level of awareness has been a long one, but one that I think many people can learn from.  Your solution would not work for me, and mine would not work for you, but we a both "making it work".

But, dammit, now I want a piece of peanut butter toast!!!!

Lora

I always say you can't argue with success.  Like they say, if it works don't fix it.
For me it works because I believe that I have a physical and mental addiction.  Not all obese people are addicted to certain foods, just like not all people who drink too much are alcoholics.  That is why I think it is important to isolate whatever issues there are that cause our problems since they are not all the same and can't all be treated the same.
I don't consider myself deprived since there are so many gluten free options out there that I can indulge in moderately without triggering my addiction.  I have had a loaf of gluten free bread in my freezer for weeks that I occasionally grab a slice of.  But if it had wheat in it I guarantee you that it would never have lasted days much less weeks.  So if I get an urge for peanut butter toast I can still have some.  I have been eating protein banana muffins with my lunch for the past few days.  And I love my sugar free, gluten free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  Plus when I make it myself I can throw in some protein powder and tell myself it's good for me 

Cookies...!!!!  Cancel the toast, LOL.  Cookies are my kryptonite.

Lora

 that makes 2 of us. i'll pass up anything else for some good cookies

 Lately everything makes me feel fat.  

No matter how healthy I eat I feel fat.
No matter how far I run, cycle spin or swim no matter how active I am I feel fat.

I could go without eating for a day and still feel fat. I look in the mirror and I see the fat that is left on me and wi**** to be gone. 

I told my wife last night if I lost 30 more pounds I would be happy, but I know deep down that is not true and the odds of me losing 15 pounds let alone 30 seem impossible to do.

so yeah I feel fat but it isn't just wheat that makes me feel that way.

Excellent article, thanks for sharing that!

Along water things I gave up wheat. - app 2 months ago. Even much low Carb flatout.



I see significant changes with swelling in my face.

I also did not have any low blood sugar episone.



I don't think I need the gluten. I believe that in the past I had wheat sensitivity andallergic reaction to that - like you -I con't have just a little.

this is a great article and actually has me wondering if wheat has caused my recent flare up of psoriasis. I am googling awayyyy, lol.

I do notice that I am wheat sensitive, it doesn't make me ill or anything but makes it darn near impossible to lose weight AND it seems to trigger my eating disorder! Great article and reminder to take better care of myself! Thanks!

A lot of people say the same thing.  A good thing to do if you think you may have a problem with wheat is to go gluten free for a few weeks or even 30 days.  That is enough time to see a difference and if there isn't any change you can always go back to eating it.  What is telling to me is when someone who is having issues absolutely refused to consider it.  It is like saying I can stop drinking anytime I want to.  I just don't want to.  If you don't have a problem with something then giving it up for a short time shouldn't be a problem.  I realize it's not that simple.  It seems wheat is in everything and it does take an effort to avoid it but really, as long as I avoid packaged, processed foods it really isn't that hard.  And most restaurants have gluten free menus these days so it's even easier, plus the way they package food now it will say if there is wheat in things.  After a few days the cravings are gone and I don't even miss it.  I realize that it's not for everyone and not everyone, or even most people, have a problem with wheat or gluten but for those who do or suspect they do can see a big difference when they avoid it.