TGK112

I recently had my 6 month check-up - and had very good results. My antibodies were near normal, and my intestine has nearly healed. I have yet to feel any real digestive symptom - but must admit that I never realized how constipated and bloated I was until now, when I'm not.

As for my Trader Joe's confusion - I still shop there - but not nearly as much as I use to. I wrote their headquarters and was pretty disappointed with the response that I got. I'm not sure why, but I expected better from them!

I would also like to add a couple more to the list

Portage Bay Cafe -several locations in Seattle - I had the buckwheat pancakes - but they also make gluten-free french toast. All these come with their "fruit bar" ( fresh fruit toppings)They have a nice selection of gluten-free items for breakfast!

Wildfin - in Issaquah and Renton - has en extensive gluten-free menu. However there is a disclaimer that the food is not prepared separately - and when I asked, they do not have a designated fryer. But - with that said - I felt like there were plenty of safe options. I had clam chowder for the first time in seven months

Good to know! I was very sad when Grace's 5 closed.

Thank you folks. I just Amazoned a large box of Kind bars which are going to be my dinner during my upcoming business event.

 

nvsmom, I'm so stressed out by this diagnosis I hadn't even thought of talking to the caterers in advance. Thank you for reminding me!

 

tgk112, any tips or Web sites I can check to start building a list of restaurant foods? It sounds like you have a lot of experience with that.

 

GFinDC, I understand you are trying to be helpful, but unfortunately your recommendations are completely impossible in my profession. For me to eat healthily I still have to be able to afford to buy the food!

There are a couple of websites/apps that can find nearby gluten free restaurants

http://www.findmeglutenfree.com   is a good one. You can also try   http://www.allergyeats.com  Even Yelp has a feature where you can specify gluten free restaurants in your area.

When I eat out I tell the server "that I will have a very severe reaction if I have any bit of gluten" ( even though I won't) - just to make them realize that it is serious, that I'm not on some sort of fad weight loss diet. I usually stick with grilled meats and vegetables. I have not been to a Chinese restaurant since diagnosis - but have found a good Thai restaurant with a gluten free menu. When I eat at a Mexican restaurant - I order fajitas - no tortillas. When I go to an Italian restaurant,  I order chicken cacciatore - no pasta. At general restaurants - salads are usually safe. Generally meat and vegetables are okay - you just have to watch the sauces.

I hope this helps.

I was totally asymptomatic when diagnosed last summer - at the age of 56. I was losing bone density, despite being on a bone building drug. I was tested for celiac to " rule things out" - and surprise - it was ruled in -the antibodies were high and the endoscopy confirmed it.

Like you, I felt like a very poor "barometer" to know if I was doing the whole gluten free diet correctly. I never felt sick eating gluten, I have done a TON of reading, and now have a pretty good handle on things. Most people on this forum claim that they get more sensitive to gluten as time goes on - I personally have not found that. I have never had the experience of "getting glutened" - but can't imagine that I haven't slipped at least once. There are very slight things that I have noticed since being gluten free - a bit more energy, and some changed bathroom habits.

You are right - eating out is the hardest part - so go prepared!

The good news - six months into the gluten free diet, I just had a follow up. I was VERY anxious for this - to know if I have been doing the right things. Both the blood work and endoscopy came back showing remarkable improvement. I have been instructed that here on I just need to have blood tests on a yearly basis.