Hey Everyone!

[Itay97]

I have been attempting to do a gluten free diet for well over a year now... and sucking at it. I finally figured out that anything that isn't certified gluten free is garbage and makes me ill. I have a gluten free kitchen. I am struggling though and cannot for the life of me figure out how to feel better. I even get a reaction from certified foods? I have dermatitis herpetiformis so when I break out in a rash it's very uncomfortable. I am 23 years old with a soon-to-be four year old who also has dermatitis herpetiformis celiacs. 

Is there like a specific diet or foods to eat to boost recovery? Is there foods I should be avoiding all together? I'm very confused, feeling overwhelmed, and developing an avoidance to eating. It doesn't help that I'm broke right now and stressed about having to buy certified foods. I just don't want to keep feeling sick or me and my kid to keep breaking out in painful blisters. Any tips, advice, information, or knowledge would be extrememly helpful. Why does almost everything have gluten in it? Is this a terrible consequence of factory food production?

[trents]

For the time being I would avoid all processed foods and cook everything from scratch. Stick to simple things like fresh meat, vegetables and fruit. Also, dairy can cause the same reaction as wheat for some people and also oats. Avoid eating out like the plague. If you eat in restaurants you are practically guaranteed to get glutened as the kitchen staff are generally not very careful to avoid cross contamination. You are obviously getting gluten from somewhere.

[cristiana]

Hi Italy97 and welcome.

I am so sorry you are going through all of this - it is so tough when you are feeling unwell when you have a little one to care for.

Trents is absolutely right - ditch anything processed at this stage, and also don't eat out.   And don't eat oats - they really do cause big issues for some coeliacs, even the "pure" variety.

If you absolutely have to drink hot drinks outside the home do ask the waiting staff/barista if they can guarantee there is no contamination there. I've had coffee out and it's made me feel unwell - the "chocolate sprinkles" on a cappuccino, for example, may have wheat in them.  Coffee from a vending machine may have thickener in it.

It does appear that unfortunately some coeliacs are more sensitive than others.  

I would google the Fasano diet if I were you.  It may be helpful to give it a try.

Cristiana