Anna'sMommy's Blog

Hi Anna's Mom, I've been gluten-free for about four years (I've lost track of time ). It does get easier as time goes on. I don't know how it is for small children since mine were teens when they were diagnosed, but I imagine that in one sense it will be easier on your daughter because she won't have settled into a diet filled with gluten. By the time she's old enough to select her own foods, gluten free will be the only thing she has known or will remember. On the other hand, she isn't really old enough to select her own foods right now, so you'll always have to be watching what other people try to feed her and it might be hard for her to see other children enjoying cake, cookies, pizza, etc. which is the usual fare at children's parties.

I think the main thing that helped me get started was coming to this site and printing out the lists of foods/ingredients that are "safe" and "forbidden". I went through my entire kitchen and threw out every item that had gluten. I took my lists with me while grocery shopping and read each label to make sure everything I bought was gluten-free. This site has a wealth of information for us. I read and read and read. Eventually, I got a PDA to put all my information on and I carry it with me everywhere. I've got my list of ingredients, and lists of restaurants and what is safe to eat at each, and I also keep my grocery list on it so I don't have to continually check the labels. After a while, it became second nature and I rarely have to check my lists anymore.

Everything that I cook is gluten-free. My husband doesn't have celiac disease, but he eats what I cook for myself and my children and he hasn't suffered at all. He has plenty of opportunity to have gluten when we go to restaurants, etc. I just don't want gluten in my kitchen because of cross contamination.

Also, if your daughter has celiac disease, then someone else in your family is sure to have it. It is genetic and she got it from you or her father or possibly grandparents. If she has siblings, it's likely that they have it, too. My mother has it, three of her four children have it and both of my children have it. My mother's youngest brother has it. We are the ones that have been diagnosed and are on the gluten-free diet. I see lots of symptoms in other family members, but they have not taken it seriously and don't wish to seek a diagnosis. I would urge you to spread the word in your family so that they can get tested, or at the very least, if they start exhibiting symptoms (or already have them) they will know where to start and be able to inform their doctors. I have read that it takes an average of 10 years for a celiac sufferer to be diagnosed, all the while suffering symptoms and several misdiagnoses.

Best of luck to you.

I really appreciate your reply (above) to my post! It is so nice to hear from people who have lived through this and who are doing well I appreciate your time and support. We are in the midst of getting our family tested, thank you for the advice.
Sincerely,
Anna'sMommy

just a heads up about the lunch meat thing, Boars Head is Gluten free, but make sure they clean the slicer for cross contamination reasons. I also am a member at BJ's (its like Sam's Club) I'm not sure if they have them where you live, but they also carry a gluten free lunch meats in their deli. I have also found that when ever you have a question on anything, you should email the company and ask. I usually get response within a day or two and I've even received coupons from the manufacturer afterwards!

I appreciate the info ~ I'll use it.
Thank you much!
Anna'sMommy