Celiac Disease & Type 1 Diabetes

[lilysmom]

My 6 yr old daughter was dx'd w/celiac disease last week. She has had type 1 diabetes for 3 yrs (on insulin pump). I'm struggling with finding out what foods are safe to eat. I find many places I can order specialty foods, and that's great, but how do I find out what foods are safe for her to eat at our local grocery store? I would like to dialogue with anyone else who is dealing w/both diseases...especially those on an insulin pump.

[elye]

Hello, and welcome to the board!

You must be feeling overwhelmed, but you've come to the right place. There are many wise people on here who can answer any and all questions you may have, and throw in lots of support for good measure!

I have been type one for 35 years, and was diagnosed with celiac three years ago. The learning curve was very steep, but after a while it became second nature - - it really does get easier, I promise!

These two diets actually combine very well....I have always had fairly tight control of my blood sugars, but since getting off gluten, things are even better. Processed, refined carbs are bad stuff for BS control, and the celiac diet forces one to limit it - - a good thing. In fact, I eat very little grain of any kind now, and my blood sugars are excellent. I realize that this is much harder to do as a child, however. Since I am an adult, it is easy to avoid the gluten-free processed cookies, crackers, etc., that tend to have a high sugar and fat content - - tough on the diabetes control!

I am not on the pump. I give myself two injections a day, and I exercise like an idiot, so my insulin requirements are not large. There are many members on here who are either living with both illnesses or have children who are, and I'll wager that there are pumps involved with most. I am certain you will get a lot of response. Glad you're here!

[feedmykids]

DH Niece has both Type 1 Diabetes (uses a pump) and has Celiac. I will ask my SIL but I realy don't think there was too much to change from her diet already. Most of her carbs were from GLuten containing foods. It was an amazing difference for her to go gluten-free though. Before, she ws always having problems keeping her blood sugar levels where they should be and was always complaining of stomach pain. Now her tummy feels better and it is easy to keep her levels in tact.

[2kids4me]

My son was diagnosed Type 1 at 9 yrs old and celiac at 10yrs old. He is now 13 (14 in Sept!)

His blood glucose levels stabalized once his gut healed. It is overwhelming to be sure!

The dietician at the Childrens' hospital worked with us and addressed concerns. We had to learn the weight/ carbs for the gluten free pastas and breads and see how gluten free foods affected him.

Fruits/vegs and unprocessed meats are all gluten free.

You are not alone and you will get through it. My initial reaction was that it just seemed unfair after all he went through adjusting to the diabetes and now THIS.

I can tell you that he is a boy scout who backpacks with his troup, camping along the way. eating Thai noodles with bovril added (he doesnt like the flavour packets that come with the bowl), plus freeze dried chicken and dehydrated peas), gluten-free crackers, gluten-free cereal bars and muffins, cheese, pepperoni sticks (Grimms and Freybes are gluten-free), trail mix, dehydrated apples and banana (we have a dehydrator) and all sorts of stuff. He even winter camps like this!. Currently he is assisting at a cub camp learning leadership skills. The leader is familiar with diabetes as she is also the scout leader and her husband is Type 1.

He is not on a pump - he prefers the syringes. I have not forced the insulin pump idea as this is his disease / his choice.

If he had been diagnosed as a toddler - I definitely would have gone the pump route like you have - simply because it is easier in young children and allows for better control since their appetite is so variable.

Just wanted to say - yup - we deal with it too .... it's another learning curve.

We do the carb counting / insulin ratio so it was a matter of learning what amounts of gluten-free food equaled what amount of carbs and going from there.

I have been Type 1 diabetic since age 25 - neg for celiac but gluten intolerant. I am not on a pump.

We also have to avoid potatoe with our daughter.

Hang in there, Will be thinking of you.

Food we find at the regular store: [in addition to fuits/veges/eggs/cheese/yogurt/ ]

Freybes and Grimm's meat

corn chips

Zesty cheese doritos

Kraft Ranch dressing

Heinz ketchup

El Paso taco seasoning mix

hash browns (Delnor is the gluten-free brand at this store)

Thai noodles

Campbells chicken and rice soup

Campbells Healthy Request New England Clam chowder (the regular one has gluten - the Healthy request clam chowder does not)

Food we order online (Kinnickinnick) or find at stores in the city (we live in a small town):

Glutino crackers

brown rice pasta

Amy's tomato soup

Tapioca bread mix (Kinninkinnick brand is the one my kids prefer)

all purpose gluten-free flour mix

brown rice tortilla shells

pizza crusts

Qunioa ( we mix it with rice and cook it together)

It may help to ask your child's dietician or a local celiac chapter to send you some information about label reading for gluten. They should be supporting you in this journey.

Hope this helps - its a short list. Other than the 2 soups I mentioned - I think all other Campbell's soup have gluten in one form or another.