Help, I Was Diagnosed With celiac disease

[Janelle]

HELP!! I was diagnosed yesterday with celiac disease, been on the computer every since. I don't return to the doctor until 4/2. She called to tell me. What do I choose to eat between now and then, it all is confusing me. One place says pickles, yeah and another says no, one says grits and one says no. Does anyone have a current great list of dos and don'ts? Thanks

[psawyer]

There is some conflicting information about the disease out there. Each day the knowledge gets better.

It is now generally accepted that most persons with celiac disease can safely consume distilled vinegar and alcohol. A minority of us have adverse reactions to these when the original source is a gluten grain. Many celiacs have other intolerances beyond gluten, and this reaction may be a related condition. Many celiacs do not have any trouble with distilled alcohol and vinegar (I include myself in this group).

If you have had uncontrolled celiac for a lengthy time, your intestines are damaged, and you may have tolerance problems with many foods that are not related to gluten. Lactose intolerance is very common. These may well be a direct result of the damage to your intestines, and, if so, will go away when your intestines heal. On a totally gluten-free diet, your intestines will usually heal within six months. You should expect a significant improvement much sooner.

[mftnchn]

Welcome, and hang in there. It DOES get better!

You haven't mentioned how symptomatic you are. If you are really ill, you may have to be very simple with your diet for awhile.

Do searches on this forum for "newbie" and you'll likely come up with lots of threads with information. I literally lived on this forum for months.

I'd start with reading all the labels on your at home foods, and cleaning your kitchen. Most recommend new cooking items for teflon or rough surfaces that have been used with gluten. Also new strainers for pasta are recommended. Don't use wooden bread boards that you have used for gluten, etc.

As you start your diet, stick with simple foods, bake potatos or sweet potatos, fix meat yourself checking ingredients, salads and veggies. There are a number of choices of gluten-free salad dressings.

gluten-free substitutes for baking take awhile to master, so be patient and go slowly. Find the recommendations on this forum first, it will save frustration! It is much cheaper to make your own.

The other thing that is best to do is eliminate personal care products that have gluten. This is due to getting small amounts into your mouth when you wash, shower, or haven't washed it off your hands adequately. This seems to have helped many of us, though some people seem to be fine.

Hope you settle in soon and feel much better soon as well!