New To Celiac Disease And Scared

[copgirl125]

Hello I have been just diagnosed three days ago with Celiac Disease. All I can say is that I am scared and very confused. The information is very overwhelming and hard to understand. From what I have read here I have to go out and buy all new baking sheets and pots and utensils and etc. I cant afford this disease!

And the prices of the items that are gluten free are sometimes insane. I am so sick right now and just dont know what to do. I cant really even eat the gluten free stuff at this point. Does this get better

Thanks

[shadowicewolf]

Eat whole foods, avoid anything proccessed is one way to keep prices down.

Pots and pans, as long as they are not scratched should be fine.

Backing sheets can be covered with foil.

Colenders should be replaced, as should wooden spoons and plastic utenciles; stainless steal is fine.

[GottaSki]

Does this get better

Yes. Absolutely.

Give yourself time. This is all very new to you. Shadow already answered a few of your concerns very well - ask as many questions as you need - you are not alone - we've all gone through the transition and are here to help.

Hang in there!

[GFinDC]

Yep, it gets easier. Eating whole foods is a good way to start gluten-free. There are no labels to read and you know what you are eating. Try some corn tortillas instead of gluten-free bread. Most stores have their gluten-free items in the freezer section, altho Trader Joe's keeps some out on the bread shelf. Chex makes gluten-free cereals, and Betty Crocker has some gluten-free cake mixes that are not expensive

By the way, it was an emergency and I had to run the light!

[Lisa]

As Lisa said...give yourself some time. Take some time to educate yourself and read, read and read from this site.

But,the most important thing you need NOT to do is too get overwhelmed, as hard as it may be.

Begin you diet with "simple"...meats, fish, seafood, veggies, potatoes and rice - season with salt and pepper until you learn more. Water, tea(unflavored), Pepsi, Sprite and Coke are gluten free.

Stay away from processed gluten free foods. You won't like them, until you crave them a year later. The only thing I buy that is gluten free is an occasional bread product and pasta and waffles.

I guarantee you, that after some time, you will find that a gluten free life, is a FULL ONE. There is not too much that you will miss.

Welcome to the Club!

How can we held you replace some of your foods?

[1desperateladysaved]

The transition is overwhelming, but it can be done. Your body is working on recovery very hard. You may feel extra run down and even new symptoms. I always consider that any reaction is a good one. Do some studying, decide what to eat each meal, and get extra rest when you can.

Get well, Get well, ***** That is the best I can do for flowers.

Diana

[KMMO320]

I don't buy many gluten Free products at all. I have a loaf of gluten-free white bread and a loaf of gluten-free Cinn Raisin bread in the freezer. Once in a while, I will buy a box of gluten-free cookies, or some gluten-free mix to make cookies for when I feel like having one. Once in a GREAT while, i will buy Udi's gluten-free Chocolate chip muffins but those are like 8 dollars for 4 so it is rare (they are SOOOO good though!)

I haven't bought new pots/pans, mostly because most of mine are stainless steel anyway. I have one teflon one that needs to be replaced because its all scratched up but I have been lazy, I just dont use that for my food.I have 2 colanders/strainers and honestly, just buy one at the dollar store or something, same for utensils, that's what I did.

I was really nervous at first about washing things. we dont have a dishwasher...if you search my posts you will see one from me a few months back panicking about how I was going to get everything clean, etc. Relax.

It does not have to be expensive. Just buy foods that don't have gluten in it. Rice..vegetables..meats, etc. Add in some "products" here and there if you want so you don't feel deprived. Gluten Free products are not a necessity, they are there so you don't feel like you lost something, imo.

[copgirl125]

Thank you all very much for your help...the whole pots and pan thing was really bothering me...what about coffee I have heard several different opinions about it? Gfindc...thanks for the moment of laughter

[shadowicewolf]

As far as coffee is concerned, ive only heard that the flavored ones may have it. Always double check.

[bartfull]

Coffee is fine as Shadow said, as long as it's not flavored. You may want to drink it black for a while (it's better that way anyway, imo). Some of us have trouble with dairy at first, but even if dairy doesn't bother you, milk or cream in coffee might. It makes the coffee very acidic which might be rough on your damaged digestive system.

If you are a coffee fanatic like me, you might just want to get yourself some special coffee as a treat. Costa Rican beans perhaps (my favorite) or maybe even some Dunkin Dounuts Coffee. Seeing you can't have other treats you used to enjoy, a special cup of coffee might ease the sting a bit.

[AfterAll]

Hello I have been just diagnosed three days ago with Celiac Disease. All I can say is that I am scared and very confused. The information is very overwhelming and hard to understand. From what I have read here I have to go out and buy all new baking sheets and pots and utensils and etc. I cant afford this disease!

And the prices of the items that are gluten free are sometimes insane. I am so sick right now and just dont know what to do. I cant really even eat the gluten free stuff at this point. Does this get better

Thanks

I was dx in May and I completely understand your sentiment. It IS really overwhelming and scary at first, but I promise that it gets easier as time goes on. You do NOT have to go out and buy all new foods... you can still eat some processed foods too. You are going to have to spend a lot of time reading labels and making lists before going to grocery stores, but you will get the hang of it.

[squirmingitch]

When was the last time you came home from the grocery store with ONLY whole foods? It's actually cheaper than "the old" way of shopping. Cheaper by a LOT!

Go to the store & rediscover food! Go through the produce section & really look at all those fruits & veggies you have been whizzing past for years & years. Apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, avocados, mangos, pomegranates, plums, grapes & the list goes on. Snap beans, pole beans, chayote, winter squashes, summer squashes, cauliflower, leeks, tomatillos, tens of kinds of lettuce, fresh spinach, swiss chard, rhubarb, snow peas & on & on.

[shadowicewolf]

When was the last time you came home from the grocery store with ONLY whole foods? It's actually cheaper than "the old" way of shopping. Cheaper by a LOT!

Go to the store & rediscover food! Go through the produce section & really look at all those fruits & veggies you have been whizzing past for years & years. Apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, avocados, mangos, pomegranates, plums, grapes & the list goes on. Snap beans, pole beans, chayote, winter squashes, summer squashes, cauliflower, leeks, tomatillos, tens of kinds of lettuce, fresh spinach, swiss chard, rhubarb, snow peas & on & on.

Oh indeed, i can go spend about $60 and have more food then i did when i was on gluteny stuffs. So much easier.

[GFinDC]

Hi Copgirl,

Here's some tips that might help. Starting out on the gluten-free diet can be upsetting, but there really are lots of foods to eat that don't have gluten in them. After a while eating whole foods you may find your tastes for things has changed and you are as interested in processed foods anymore. While you are healing your digestion can be kind of crazy and unpredictable. There lots of changes going on as you heal, including changes in the bacteria that inhabit your gut. Probiotics can help stabilize that change. Limiting sugar and starchy foods can ease the gas as those things feed the bacteria and cause gas.

It's good to do your own cooking whenever possible and make extra so you can freeze some. Rice is good but quinoa and teff and amaranth and buckwheat are also good alternative grain like foods you can use. They have more nutritional value than rice. Make sure to wash quinoa (or all of these really) well before cooking tho.

Some starting the gluten-free diet tips for the first 6 months:

Get your vitamin/mineral levels tested also.

Don't eat in restaurants

Eat only whole foods not processed foods.

Eat only food you cook yourself, think simple foods, not gourmet meals.

Take probiotics.

Take gluten-free vitamins.

Take digestive enzymes.

Avoid dairy.

Avoid sugars and starchy foods.

Avoid alcohol.

[copgirl125]

Thank you again for the advice. The only things Im having problems with is hamburgers and pizza which I dont eat much of but do so much love. I know I can eat a hamburger without a bun but its just not the same thing ya know. And also its football time and we are a football family...how can I have a beer with the rest of our gang . I realize its for my health but its still upsetting sometimes. Not a very good person who does as she is told

Laura

[GottaSki]

Hamburgers - we use Udi's hamburger buns or the two end's of normal udi's bread. We take them with us if we will be grabbing a burger on the road.

Pizza - you can make your own - not the same convenience as take out, but does satisfy the craving very nicely without making you ill.

Beer - there are more and more gluten-free beers everyday. Use the search feature at the top right of your page to find numerous threads regarding options and opinions on their taste.

There is nothing that helps the frustration caused by removing spontaneity from our dining choices - except being prepared and giving it time. Even this gets much better with time.

Hang in there - it does get better

[Trudyjerry]

7 months into being gluten and dairy free and I still get angry at times. It does get easier though.

To keep costs down, shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Try to stay away from the processed foods. I will admit that it is sometimes easier said than done. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, which also drives me nuts at times.

Once you're feeling a little adventurous try baking your own gluten free hamburger buns and breads. For now, concentrate on learning as much as you can and feeling better.

Great big {{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} to you.

[KMMO320]

In my experience, at least with the brands I have tried so far, when it comes to gluten-free rolls and breads, you need to toast or grill them really well. Maybe I just haven't gotten used to the texture, but thats what I need to do.