When Gluten Was the Problem—But Not the Whole Story
During college, I hit a wall.
I was exhausted all the time, struggling to focus, and failing classes for the first time in my life—not from lack of effort, but because my body and brain just would not cooperate.
At the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I blamed myself.
Maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough. Maybe I just couldn’t keep up.
It wasn’t until later that I discovered the real issue wasn’t my study habits—it was my breakfast.
A diet full of bagels, ramen, and the biscuits and gravy from the SVSU cafeteria was silently wreaking havoc on my body. I had undiagnosed celiac disease, and every bite of gluten was triggering a cascade of inflammation and autoimmunity.
🥯 The Cafeteria Diet That Broke Me
Looking back, the signs were all there:
Severe abdominal pain after eating. Bloating. Brain fog so intense I couldn’t retain what I read. Fatigue so heavy I could barely get out of bed, let alone focus in class.
I began to fear food. I didn’t know what was safe anymore. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know how to fix it. I had been suffering with gut issues most of my life, but this sudden increase in severity motivated me to work harder to find out what the problem really was.
Discovering that I have celiac disease—and the role gluten played in my symptoms—was a turning point that changed everything.
🧬 What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition. When someone with celiac eats gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—their immune system reacts by attacking the lining of their own small intestine. Over time, this damages the gut lining, impairs nutrient absorption, and can affect nearly every system in the body.
Common symptoms include:
- Digestive discomfort, bloating, or irregular bowel movements
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Chronic fatigue
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalances or menstrual irregularities
- Mood changes or anxiety
- Skin rashes or acne
The damage isn’t always obvious. Some people have no digestive symptoms at all—just fatigue or brain fog. Others may live for years with worsening symptoms and no answers.
⚠️ What About Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity?
Not everyone who reacts to gluten has celiac disease—but that doesn’t mean their symptoms are any less real.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition where gluten triggers an immune response, even though it doesn’t result in the autoimmune damage seen in celiac. In NCGS, the immune system sees gluten as a threat and reacts to it—like it might to a virus or infection—causing inflammation that can show up as:
- Bloating or GI discomfort
- Brain fog
- Joint or muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Mood swings or headaches
While some people remain skeptical of those who avoid gluten but do not have celiac disease, NCGS is very real, and it deserves to be taken seriously.
🧪 And Sometimes… It’s Not the Gluten
Some people feel better off gluten—but not because of the gluten itself.
Here are a few other reasons why gluten-containing foods might cause problems:
- SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth):
Excess bacteria in the small intestine ferment carbs like those in wheat, leading to bloating, gas, and pain. - Yeast overgrowth or gut dysbiosis:
Imbalances in gut flora can make digesting certain starches difficult, leading to inflammation or reactivity. - Enzyme deficiencies or poor digestion:
Some people simply don’t break down gluten-containing grains efficiently, which can lead to discomfort.
This is why it’s so important to look at the whole picture. A reaction to gluten doesn’t always mean celiac or NCGS—it might be a clue pointing to something deeper.
🌿 Going Gluten-Free Was a Turning Point… But Not the End of the Story
When I finally removed gluten from my diet, it was a massive shift.
The daily pain started to ease. My brain felt clearer. I had the energy to start rebuilding my health.
But I wasn’t “fixed.”
Years of inflammation and gut damage don’t disappear overnight. Going gluten-free removed the trigger—but I still had work to do:
✨ Restoring my gut lining
✨ Rebuilding nutrient stores
✨ Calming my nervous system
✨ Supporting balanced digestion and microbiome health
That part of the journey required more time—and a more holistic view of what healing really means.
💡 If You Suspect Gluten Might Be a Problem…
Here are a few supportive, practical steps:
- Get tested before going gluten-free.
If you suspect celiac disease, ask for a full celiac panel before removing gluten. Once gluten is out of your system, tests can become inaccurate. - Track your symptoms.
A food and symptom journal can help you notice patterns and triggers you might otherwise miss. - Stay curious and keep digging.
Gluten might be part of the problem, but your symptom picture may be a clue pointing to something else, like SIBO or dysbiosis. - Work with someone who gets the nuance.
A practitioner who understands both root-cause gut health and food sensitivities can help you build a plan that actually fits your body.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re dealing with mystery symptoms—fatigue, bloating, brain fog, or just the sense that something isn’t quite right—it’s not all in your head. Your body may be trying to tell you something.
And if gluten is part of the picture, you’re not alone.
I know the idea of going gluten-free can feel overwhelming at first. It’s a big shift—especially when gluten is in everything from bread and pasta to sauces and snacks.
But for those of us with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s more than worth the effort. The clarity, the energy, the relief—it’s hard to describe how transformative it can be until you’ve felt it.
And the good news? It’s easier now than ever. From gluten-free bakeries to simple swaps in most grocery stores, you can eat well, enjoy your food, and still protect your health.
Removing gluten changed my life.
But learning to listen to my body and support its recovery long after the trigger was gone—was the real transformation. That’s the work that brings lasting healing.