still struggling with cravings

[wellthatsfun]

as my last post stated, i was diagnosed via endoscopy on the 14th of june. i have been eating amazing home cooked meals, luckily, mainly cooked by my boyfriend who is extremely careful about contamination (and is an incredible cook at that).

however, i find myself in a mental rut still. being 18, this is the time in my life where i should be exploring things, going out, having fun. yet every corner i turn i'm tortured by the amazing smell of something i can't have anymore. the wonderful sight of such yummy foods. it's near torture. if my boyfriend and his friend who lives with us buy something i can't have, they'll usually eat it outside of the house or the car or wherever we are - which is greatly appreciated - but even seeing a burger or chips or a sausage roll in their hands guts me almost beyond repair. i just wanna have it again too. i miss it. i feel left out and it makes me very sad all the time.

it's not their fault. they are allowed to eat whatever they want to, whatever their intestines will allow. it just stings, bad. and i feel so ungrateful given i basically have a private chef who is doubly the love of my life. but it's just so hard. i know i'll adapt. i haven't given up hope.i just wanted to vent. thank you for reading

[Scott Adams]

I totally get this. It's absolutely a grieving process, and it's okay to feel gutted about the loss of those simple joys, especially at 18. Your feelings are completely valid—it's not about being ungrateful for your amazing boyfriend, it's about mourning the life you thought you'd have. That "tortured by the smell" feeling is so real. It does get easier, I promise, but it's okay to sit in the sadness and just vent about how much it stings right now. Thanks for sharing that.

Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease:

This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:

 

 

[Colorado2620]

I was diagnosed in December, and your post hits on many feelings that I have been experiencing. I know this post is from months ago, but I wanted to see how you're feeling about this now? Any advice on what helped? I also have that same guilty of feeling like I should be grateful that my husband is so supportive.. while also feeling very sad/lonely/unseen. 

[wellthatsfun]

On 4/16/2026 at 12:55 PM, Colorado2620 said:

I was diagnosed in December, and your post hits on many feelings that I have been experiencing. I know this post is from months ago, but I wanted to see how you're feeling about this now? Any advice on what helped? I also have that same guilty of feeling like I should be grateful that my husband is so supportive.. while also feeling very sad/lonely/unseen. 

i'm so sorry for the late reply. i am fortunately slowly getting better mentally, so that's an improvement. however i believe i lean far more toward the asymptomatic side of the coeliac spectrum, so i don't quite know how well being gluten free is healing me physically yet. it has only been 11 months and everyone heals at a different rate, so time will tell.

there's not much else advice-wise that i can offer aside from trying to be grateful for what we can still have. i personally am so thankful every day that i don't have any other allergies or intolerances that slim down what we already consider a strict diet. i also bite my tongue in saying this in case you do have other issues such as that, in which case i am very sorry. but assuming it's just coeliac, we've gotta look on the bright side of things. wallowing in what we miss will only bog us down.

feeling unseen is something i still struggle with, and i of course still have bad days. but surrounding yourself with people who love and understand you is key. educate others. stand up for yourself so you can snag some epic safe goodies. be unapologetic in advocating for yourself. let yourself grieve and heal.

i hope this helped in some way. much luck to you

[Scott Adams]

I think your perspective is really helpful, especially the reminder that healing can take time and that not everyone feels clear physical changes right away, particularly if symptoms are mild or less obvious. I also appreciate what you said about allowing yourself to grieve while still trying to focus on what is still possible. Celiac disease can feel isolating, so learning to advocate for yourself and surrounding yourself with supportive people really does make a difference. Wishing you continued healing, both mentally and physically.

[Scott Adams]

Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease:

This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together: