WinterSong

I would be very skeptical about this, and even if it does make it past clinical trials that won't be for years. If it's only your first few days gluten free, remember that even though it seems hard right now it does get easier with time (especially as you really start to feel better).

One of my friends is a self diagnosed gluten intolerant, and we went gluten free within the same week of each other. I invited her over for dinner, and we're having our first gluten-free Thanksgiving

Pretty simple menu, but I'm excited:

Steamed vegetables
Mashed potatos
Turkey breast
Gluten free sage stuffing

I'm still debating on the dessert. It's either going to be home made chocolate mousse or apple crisp (side note: I tried gluten-free oatmeal for the first time this week and no reaction! I missed oatmeal   )

It's going to be a nice night  

Do the villi start growing back once you start a gluten free diet? Or do they grow only begin growing back once antibody levels are normal? Anyone know? I'm just curious.  

Hi JewelZZZ and welcome! Yes, your son has Celiac, and that would probably account for him being underweight. The problem is that some doctors will not officially give out a diagnosis without both a positive biopsy and blood test. But as txplowgirl said, they may have missed the area. And it is possible to have false negatives. But there are no false positives. Your son definitely needs to go on a 100% gluten free diet. So welcome to the board - hope he continues to feel better!

Yeah, the Godiva news was a hard blow for me, too. I stick with Dove (which I loved before going gluten-free anyway), but I do miss the white chocolate/strawberry truffles.  

PS Milka chocolate is a no, as well. A lot of times their ingredients are written in other languages, but I found one in English. I can't quite remember but it either contained wheat or was made in a facility that also produces wheat.

What is wheat doing in chocolate anyway?!?!?!  

Amusing story:

I went out to lunch with three of my family members: my very informed and supportive father, my grandfather (who does everything my grandmother says), and my crazy Jewish grandmother (not to stereotype - she's just a very Jewish woman who happens to be a little off her rocker - this is the same woman who told me, "I think I might have a little bit of the celiac").

The restaurant had gluten free options (and very delicious bread!). All three of them knew about my gluten/lactose intolerance and my father basically explained that no one is to touch my food, and I can't eat anyone else's.

When the bread came out:
GM: How come she gets her own dipping oil for bread?
Dad: Because her bread is gluten free, and she can't share the same oil that we're using.

Halfway through lunch as GM was eating her salad (with cheese on it):
GM: Mmmmmm, this salad is so wonderful! Jessie, would you like some?
Dad: No, Mom! You can't have any of her food and she can't have any of your food!
GM: But it's a salad.
Dad: But it has cheese on it! And you just ate normal bread, so the fork that you're using has gluten on it. She can't eat your food.

Nearing the end of dessert:
Me: My flourless chocolate cake was so good! How was your sorbet, Dad?
Dad: Great!
GM: Why don't you try some, Jessie?
Dad: NO, MOM!!! I can't have any of her food and she can't have any of my food!! The spoon that I'm using has gluten on it because I had pasta for dinner.
GM: But she can try that bit on the side - your spoon hasn't been there.
Dad: Mom! My spoon's been everywhere!

The funnies thing was my dad saying, "NO, MOM!!" about six or seven times during the course of dinner. Thank goodness he understands.  

I can understand your frustration. It sucks that people either don't know what it is or refuse to accept how serious things like crumbs or using the same fork can be.

I normally get people who mean well but don't understand, so I'm really polite with them. Like a woman trying to offer me a pie-type dessert who said, "You could just eat around the crust."

Then again there is one jerk who always who keeps offering me things like fried chicken and mini bagels. He asked me the other day, "Are you eating glucose yet?"     So annoying.

Although, I did write:

"If you have a cure for Celiac, the medical community and I would love to hear it because we’re all stumped."

And she hasn't been able to come up with a suitable comment for that one!

I've always believed that even during troubled and difficult times, it is so important to connect with what I'm grateful for. It lifts my spirits, allows me to have more patience, and helps me become more available for good things to come into my life. I write in a gratitude journal at night (it used to be daily, but now it's whenever I have time or feel particularly inspired), and it's helped me through the hardest of times. I found this quote yesterday:

"Happiness can't be travelled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."


A few things that I am thankful for:

-My positive diagnosis via blood test and biopsy (I think it was important for my own peace of mind and for others to take me seriously)

-My boyfriend falling in love with my gluten-free chocolate chip cookies

-My friend who taught me how to bake using yeast bread

-Dark chocolate

-My family being totally accepting of my diagnosis and my mother's willingness to begin a gluten-free diet without getting tested (she actually has a rare nerve disorder and some of her symptoms are decreasing already! - I am so very very thankful for that)

-Home made gluten-free bread and my love for baking, nutrition, and learning

-Being lucky enough to live in a city where there are many wonderful restaurant options

-Learning about proper food combinations for optimal digestion

-Another friend who is vegetarian but loves trying out new gluten-free foods with me

-My kitchen filled with nutritious food and stainless steal pots/pans

-Having very adaptable taste buds

-FINALLY knowing what was making me sick and knowing that there's something I can do about it, when before it was just random guess work

-This wonderfully supportive online community and everyone who answered my questions

-Despite times of difficulty, I am beginning to feel better


Just wanted to share. What are you grateful for?

Knock on wood, but my experiment with food combinations is going really well! For the first time in a LONG time I feel normal again. And when I looked in the mirror today my body looked the way it did before I ever suspected I was sick. I'll post more as my experiment continues, but I highly recommend researching it and trying it out

Hi and welcome to the board! We're about the same age, and I was just diagnosed with Celiac about three months ago. We're actually pretty lucky for being diagnosed relatively early in life. Many people go their entire lives without realizing they have an intolerance, and a lot of times that results in other medical complications (my great grandmother had stomach cancer when she died, and I're pretty sure she had Celiac). So it's definitely a blessing to have a diagnosis and coping plan now!

This board was an incredible resource for me and I'm very grateful to have had the support, especially right after my diagnosis. Do you have an allergy, intolerance, or Celiac? Feel free to search around and ask questions. There are tons here who can give advice on pretty much anything. And if you wanna drop me a message, I'm always happy to chat about my experiences, too  

I have one about relationships/family members that I found to be really important, and this is just from my experience:

Remember that anxiety is contagious. If you continually freak out about what a big change it is, people around you will start getting edgy, too. It's a big change and a lot to take in for loved ones, as well, and I've found that people are much more open to receiving information and willing to ask questions when I stay calm and level-headed.

Just called them again. Their baking soda ("Guaranteed Value" brand) is also gluten-free.

The company that they use is Foodhold USA, for reference. So very nice.

For any of you who have a Stop and Shop near you, I've found it to be a great resource. I've bought several of their S&S brand products, and have called them a few times to ask about ingredients. They've been so nice! The moment I say "Celiac Disease", they say, "Oh yes! No problem, let me check the gluten free status of that."

Things that they've confirmed are gluten-free:
-Baking powder
-Semi-sweet chocolate chips
-Extra virgin olive oil, non-stick cooking spray
-Vanilla extract
-Almond extract

Tbs of brown rice protein powder mixed with water (not my favorite part of breakfast, but I do it for the protein boost)
Slice of home made gluten-free buckwheat bread with pumpkinseed butter, topped with dried cranberries
Banana
Greet Tea

Yum!