Gluten Free but Still Inflamed? What Every Woman with Celiac Needs to Know

You’ve gone gluten free. You’re doing all the right things. But you still don’t feel quite right.

Maybe your stomach still bloats after meals. Your joints ache more than they should. Your skin is flaring up for no clear reason. Or you’re just bone tired - even after a full night’s sleep.

You might be thinking, “What am I doing wrong? I’ve cut out gluten like I’m supposed to.”

Trust me, you’re not the only one. I see this all too often.

One of the most common things I hear from women with celiac disease is this: “I feel better than I did before diagnosis... but I still don’t feel good.”

So, what’s going on?

For many, it often comes down to one sneaky root cause: chronic inflammation.

What Is Chronic Inflammation - and Why Should You Care?

Inflammation isn’t always a bad thing. It’s your body’s natural defense system. When you cut your finger or get a mosquito bite, your body sends inflammation to help you heal.

But when your body stays in that inflamed state - long after the original “threat” is gone - that’s when the trouble starts.

This is called chronic inflammation, and it can quietly affect almost every part of your health.

In women with celiac disease, chronic inflammation can show up as:

• Ongoing gut pain, bloating, or constipation

• Stubborn skin issues like eczema, rashes, or breakouts

• Fatigue that won’t budge, no matter how much you rest

• Aches and pains in your muscles or joints

• Mood changes, low motivation, or anxiety

• Trouble losing weight - or even unexpected weight gain

• Catching every cold or virus going around

  
  
  
  

You’re Not Alone: What I See in My Clients

Over the years, I’ve worked with countless women who had been following their gluten free diet to the T, only to be left frustrated and confused about why they still didn’t feel better.

I've heard things like...

“I thought cutting out gluten would fix everything. But I still wake up exhausted, my gut feels off, and I just don’t feel like myself.”

And...

“My skin has been worse since I started eating all these gluten free snacks… but they’re gluten free, so they must be okay, right?”

These stories aren’t rare. They’re incredibly common. And the good news is- there’s a reason behind it. And there’s something you can do about it.

What Causes Inflammation After Going Gluten Free?

So, what else could be keeping your body in an inflamed state?

Here are some of the most common inflammation triggers I see in the women I coach:

1. Processed Gluten Free Foods

Just because it’s labelled “gluten free” doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Many packaged foods are full of sugar, seed oils, additives, and other inflammatory ingredients. If your diet is mostly made up of crackers, snacks, frozen meals, and baked goods, your gut is still under pressure.

2. Blood Sugar Spikes

If you’re constantly on a blood sugar rollercoaster - think toast for breakfast, a sugary snack mid-morning, a crash after lunch - your body’s inflammation levels rise. Stable blood sugar is key for energy, mood, and gut health.

3. Too Much Exercise (or Not Enough Rest)

Pushing yourself to “do all the things” at the gym without proper recovery can backfire. Rest is just as important as movement. Without it, your body doesn’t get a chance to heal.

4. Poor Sleep

Even one night of bad sleep can mess with your body’s inflammation levels. But when poor sleep becomes a pattern, it seriously impacts your gut, immune system, and energy levels.

5. Chronic Stress

This one’s huge. Stress creates inflammation in the body - whether it’s emotional, or physical. And let’s face it, life is stressful, especially when you're juggling celiac disease on top of everything else.

6. Toxic Load from Your Environment

From personal care products to laundry detergent, candles, synthetic fragrances, and cleaning products - your home could be full of invisible inflammation triggers. If your skin is absorbing chemicals and your lungs are breathing them in daily, your immune system is working overtime.

How to Start Lowering Inflammation (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

This might feel like a lot - but the good news is, you can start small.

Here’s where to begin:

• Focus on real food. Load your plate with fruit, veg, healthy fats, and clean protein. Gradually reduce the ultra-processed stuff.

• Support your blood sugar. Don’t skip meals, and always aim for protein, fat, and carbs with lots of fiber at each one.

• Swap out toxic products one at a time - start with deodorant, body wash, or cleaning sprays.

• Build in stress relief. A walk in nature, 5 minutes of deep breathing, journaling before bed - whatever helps you exhale.

• Focus on sleep. Make your bedtime sacred. A consistent routine can work wonders.

  
  

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about stacking small changes that support your body and help it calm the constant inflammation.

You Deserve to Feel Better Than “Just Okay”

You don’t have to settle for “this is just my new normal.” You can feel energetic, vibrant, and calm in your body again. But sometimes you need more than a to-do list - you need support, accountability, and a clear path forward.

That’s exactly what you’ll find inside the Healthy Celiac Collective.

This is my intimate group coaching program designed specifically for women with celiac disease who are ready to go beyond just being gluten free. We dive deep into things like inflammation, hormone balance, low-tox living, gut health, and so much more.

Together, we work step-by-step to help you feel amazing in your body again - without the overwhelm or confusion.

Doors open soon and spots are limited. Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when we kick off

👉 www.belindawhelan.com/collective

You’re not broken. You just haven’t been given the full picture yet. And that’s about to change.

I’d love to support you inside the Collective.