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I remember (a loooooong time ago!) when I was first diagnosed with CD, and I asked my GP if I would be OK to eat oats still.
“Well I guess so, just try them and if you feel ill then stop eating them” (or words to that effect at least – come on it’s been ten years!)
I never cut oats out of my diet. I just ate them out of sheer childish stubborness because “EVERYTHING” else was being denied (not that I was bitter about my diagnosis…)
Now, ten years later, I like to think that I have a more mature outlook on life, despite what my friends might tell you.
I don’t remember ever being dramatically affected by oats, but for around a year now I’ve noticed that I haven’t felt right.
I often still get stomach aches and sometimes digestive problems, but I’ve always put this down to my thyroid medication which, last time I took it, had me wretching every morning when I tried to force breakfast down.
Now, before you feel this is some sob story, and I’m veering slightly off track, back to the oats!
Most coeliacs are OK with oats – as long as they are uncontaminated from other grains.
According to Coeliac UK, most sufferers are OK with oats, with research suggesting that 1 in 20 coeliacs will be sensitive to them
The protein found in oats is slightly different to that found in wheat, barley and rye, and as long as the oats are “safe” (less than 20 parts per million) then most coeliacs are OK to try them.
Of course – don’t take my word for it if you haven’t, you should always discuss this with your GP or dietician!
So anyway, the reason for this (slightly rambling – it’s first thing in the morning after all!) post, is that I think I am going to lay off oats completely for a week and see if I feel a lot better.
So, Day One: still got my usual morning stomach uneasiness, but am hoping that this will ease off after a few days, I will keep you posted!!
How does everyone else react to oats? Do you eat them, have you tried and then found you can’t? Comment below and share your oat experience!!
I have not tried oats since my diagnosis but have just bought some GF ones. Am planning on porridge, am not hopeful though, I know I will get a reaction in an hour or 2 if my body does not like them!!
I was most dismayed when I had to give up my porridge with Salt AND sugar (weird?)when diagnosed 20 years ago; eventually trying oats again when it was decided they could be tolerated by most Coeliacs I found that I was ok with it, but by then it didn’t seem so important… however flapjack (home-made, so GF)brought such a bad reaction that I’ve never tried oats since… don’t think I’ll risk it!
Heya!
Funny that you write about this, I have just, just after almost 4 years of stringent denial of the best breakfast in the world, i.e. porridge, tried bob’s Red mill gluten free oats again this weekend…with mixed results, I must admit…I have not gotten ill from it, however, I managed to eat the whole bag in a day, which is usually a sign for me that I actually should better stay off it… it was however, incredibly delicious (although I am a big fan of rice porride as well), just right for the weather, and it made me incredibly happy. I enjoyed every single bite of gooey stodge. so, I will see whether this overeating was just sheer excitement, or whether it lasts…then I will defo cut it out again. I am determined to stay as healthy as I can, no matter what diet i have to follow. I have lots of dietary restricitons, bec celiac made me allergic to so many other things, so Usually I try to rotate all the foods I can’t have so my body does not get too overloaded.
That said, I have found linseeds (if you can tolerate them) a rather delicious alternative for flapjacks and in baked goods..good luck with your oat free diet, I know cutting out stuff is so hard, but if you feel better it is worth it!
susie