Please help!!!

[EnglishRose]

Hi all, rather urgent post!

I've just been through the listings and couldn't find anything- sorry if I missed it!

Ok, I had breakfast as usual- GF breakfast cereal, then had to go out and about. Halfway through the day I suddenly had really low blood sugar- my vision went blurry, I got the shakes and my legs turned to jelly. The last time I had this I was training in the gym 5 times a week and swimming every day too and had dropped way too much weight!

I'm now 4 stone overweight so being too skinny isn't the problem! (I'm currently trying to get my figure back but wasn't doing anything crazy today, just shopping)

To get to the point!

What I'm asking is this- does anybody else feel like GF food really doesn't fill them?

More importantly- can anybody tell me any healthy-ish snacks that I can carry around with me that won't get squashed when I'm running for the bus etc?

I tried carrying fruit but that didn't work! I just need something that will keep me going to the next meal, but won't pile the pounds on!

Thanks guys!

[edgeyveggie]

This is something I've heard a LOT and I think the longer you're on a GF diet the less it becomes a problem, at least for me that was the case. Starchy things seem to fill me up for a good amount of time, but they're not always the healthiest things, i.e. potato chips (maybe baked?) or something like that

[emily857]

Sometimes I feel like GF carbs don't touch the sides and I'm still sooo hungry.
I also feel like I get blood sugar issues when I eat some carbs like cereals like rice bubbles or if I drink too much softdrink. I've been tested for diabetes and don't have it but I do feel like it sometimes because I really feel terrible after eating some foods. I experience headaches, dizziness, etc. Sometimes upset stomach.
To fill myself up I find that eating more beans/lentils and salad/veg with my carbs/rice helps. Sometimes If I get real hungry and I'm tired I'll just make myself a big bowl of carbs (80%+ rice or pasta) and I'm likely to go back for seconds. If I sit down to eat a full meal of 50% veg, 25% carb & 25% protein I def feel fuller. I also seem to feel better with salad instead of cooked veg. I don't find salad that filling on it's own but if I make myself have some as part of the meal I really do feel fuller and I don't have the blood sugar probs either.
I find I feel much better sticking to simple wholegrains like brown rice, millet, qunioa. For breakfast I usually either have just fruit with a handful of almonds, or I make myself some muesli with rolled oats as a base. (I have a wheat sensitivity, so I'm just wheat free, not GF) I try to avoid processed foods and even things made from flour (Even GF flour. For some reason I sometimes still feel yuck or flat after eating GF breads, biscuits, etc) I still eat things made from flour - I couldn't stand to restrict my diet too much more!!

Anyway I dunno if I helped but I think we are similar! wish I knew what caused this stuff.. good luck

[Jillybean]

That used to happen to me quite a bit, too. I've had better luck since I started following a mostly raw foods diet--sometimes, the processed gluten-free stuff just doesn't seem to absorb properly.

Dates in particular help me with my blood sugar issues. I usually snack on pureed dates rolled in coconut (our health food store sells them) when I feel like I need a pick-me-up.

[EnglishRose]

Originally Posted by emily857

I also seem to feel better with salad instead of cooked veg. I don't find salad that filling on it's own but if I make myself have some as part of the meal I really do feel fuller and I don't have the blood sugar probs either.

Thanks Emily 857, I think I'm going to try having a salad with my meals- even if its not that filling it's going to be extra veg!

Thanks also to jillybean- I've heard of a raw food diet, but never tried it, what do you think would be the best way to start?

I end up relying on crisps and chocolate, not the way I want to go!

[Jillybean]

Originally Posted by EnglishRose

I've heard of a raw food diet, but never tried it, what do you think would be the best way to start?

It does require quite a bit of research and it's time consuming to prep--I'm still easing in myself. I like Matt Amsden's "RAWvolution" cookbook. The Ani Phyo ones are pretty good, too. And there are a wealth of free resources online.

I finally purchased an Excalibur food dehydrator a few months ago which expanded my options tremendously. I've used it to make gluten-free crackers from seeds, nuts, and sprouted grains or hulls; dried fruits and herbs; and healthy sweets. I also get a lot of use out of my spiral slicer--it makes spaghetti-like ribbons out of vegetables like zucchini.

If I don't have time to get fancy, I just chop up fruit and sprinkle some ground flax seeds, coconut, and raw almonds for breakfast or make an artful salad for lunch and dinner. It works in a pinch, but you don't want to do that all the time--which is why it's so important to read up on enzymes and making nutrients optimally accessible to your body. Good luck!

[Mister Rich]

Hey EnglishRose,

Jillybean's given you a great answer! Just wanted to add that Green Smoothies are a great introduction into raw food:

Put 2 bananas and an orange (or in fact any fruit you like!) in a blender. Blend them up adding a little water if needed. Then add some fresh spinach or romaine lettuce along with a tiny amount of fresh ginger to taste. It makes a great breakfast or snack, and shows just how tasty raw food can be! I'm an official Green Smoothie addict, don't feel right without them :-D

[EnglishRose]

Thanks jillybean and mister rich!

I'll definately have to research! I must admit, I'm not very brave when it comes to veg in smoothies- but I'll definately try it once! Who knows- I may like it!

[Zloduska]

I was about to mention Green Smoothies but Mr Rich beat me to it! I'd like chime in though that I always add Chia seeds to my smoothies, they are very high in fiber and other nutrients and therefore not only thicken the smoothie but make you feel really, and are great for slowing digestion, helping to regulate blood sugar. For that reason they are highly recommended for diabetics.

My own favorite green smoothie recipe (although I *heart* all smoothies):

-organic baby spinach
-one ripe banana
-frozen strawberries
-one fresh mango
-a good chunk of ginger, minced
-aloe vera juice
-chia seeds
-unsweetened almond milk or orange juice

It's great for a hangover too. ;-)

[Jillybean]

Zloduska, I just made this....and it's HEAVENLY!! Thanks for sharing.