Frustrating having to have such a restrictive diet

[Carbaholic876]

Since reaching my 30s, I've had to really limit the amount of sugar and refined carbohydrates that I eat as well as the portion size.
I ate half a plain scone earlier as a treat, no butter on it or anything, and felt funny and bloated afterwards.
At work I see women both in their 20s and 30s who are incredibly slim, look to be a size 6-8, (I am a similar size but they have an incredibly slim body type).
They seem to eat whatever they want, helped themselves to scones with cream and jam no problem, white buttery toast, basically every time there are treats brought in they can eat what they like and however much they like.
Sometimes it feels miserable, I eat a cake or chocolate bar once a week as a treat now, that's it. No white carbs, I have to be really careful or I puff up all over.
I know there are worse problems in the world, I'm lucky to be healthy. But it does get a bit frustrating sometimes seeing others so slim but eating whatever they like.
How do others deal with it?

this may be a dumb question but do you feel bloated or do you actually bloat?

Makes it easier to maintain your weight - nobody's going to be overeating GF toast at that price, are they? 😎

That’s it.
I ate like these women in my 20s and early 30s, and was a size 6. Then about 36 I started putting on weight, now 38 and still a size 6 but I have to eat way less and limit carbs/sugar.

Is it worth you keeping a food diary with symptoms? I did this to find out which foods affected me. Honestly, once you find out your triggers and you feel better then you'll not miss the stuff that makes you feel awful. But yes, make a doctors appt. Try not to feel down about it once you get sorted it then it won't feel so bad. Don't compare yourself to others. Also thin doesn't always mean healthy.

I know there are worse problems in the world, I'm lucky to be healthy.

Puffing up after half a scone does not sound healthy at all... Or lucky.

@Luredbyapomegranate yes exactly this. It’s a work in progress! Xx

Second blood test for coeliac disease. But you need to have & be eating gluten (found in bread, pasta, cake etc) for a good month -6 weeks prior otherwise blood test won’t pick up the antibodies produced when you eat it (it’s an autoimmune condition) & you’ll get a false negative.
Undiagnosed coeliac disease can contribute to other conditions too like osteoporosis etc which you really don’t want later in life - so it affects other systems too & is not “just” an allergy but really important you know if you have it, for bone health, GI health, mood etc
Much easier to manage once you know with a GF diet - loads of GF free choices available now & no stigma.
Bloating, discomfit, rashes, & bowel/GI issues, mood, fatigue all improve/resolve on starting diet. Ask your GP & good luck!

Second this too. All too common unfortunately.

Lots w/the condition make own bread in bread maker & GF flour. Sounds a hassle but isn’t - it makes it for you & much cheaper in long run. Smells good too! But there are delicious GF alternatives that give you the same carb fix - for every day convenience. GF pasta etc.

Not many people can be a size 6-8 without having a strict diet and/or working out loads - that’s just life. Yes there are a few women who can eat whatever they like without putting on weight, but they are in the minority.

However, you may well have an intolerance. I would ask gp for a coeliac test as others recommended. If that comes back clear then try a FODMAP elimination diet to see what you are sensitive to. It will be incredibly restrictive for a while, but will help you spot which foods are the culprits so you can minimise them in future.

It can be surprising foods that you wouldn’t expect - it’s not always wheat.

I had the same problem. Thought it was a million different things and in the end it's effing Helicobater Pylori (the prick refuses to bloody die) and a massive intolerance to all things dairy (which I had to find out by myself). I'm keeping my fingers crossed when the uninvited c*nt in my stomach dies I'll be able to eat pastries, cheese, yoghurt, hot chocolate and basically all the nice things all humans should be able to eat and this is what keeps me going because, as I've found out, all the nice things in life either have milk or milk proteins in them. My heart goes out to you OP, it's a sad life we're living.
Though, I'd like to add, those who are trully allergic, not just intolerant, have it even worse, I know! It's not easy. A few days ago I had a pastry which wasn't meant to have milk in it -so I was told- but then I spent hours in the throne which tells me differently, if I'd been allergic, I'd have been stuffed.