Newly Diagnosed Celiacs....needing Some Help!

[Debkrause1]

Hi. I have just been diagnosed with Celiacs a few months ago. Ive been doing a good job of only eating Gluten free foods but I had no idea it would be so hard. I am 24 years old and I have a 5 year old daughter who was diagnosed as well. The cost of the gluten free foods is killing me. My food bill went up quite a bit and we were struggling before this. I have a hard time going out to eat now. And trying to explain to a date why we can only go to certain restaurants is just weird for me. I know that restaurants have gluten free menus but when my friends and family eat the bread or other meals that I can't its upsetting. I mean its nice that I don't get sick anymore but its still hard to deal with. It seem that my little girl has adjusted to this much better then I am. I guess what I'm looking for his how some of you deal with having Celiacs, because I'm not dealing so well. Also any tips or advice you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[RiceGuy]

It is very common to feel the way you do at first, but over time it gets much easier. Especially when you feel so much better too!

As for the cost of gluten-free foods, many on this board report a lower food bill, because wholesome foods like veggies, fruits, beans, unprocessed grains, etc are often less expensive than processed stuff. They are also much healthier, so you win health-wise as well. Also, making your own gluten-free baked goods will save money over the prepackaged stuff, and they can be much better tasting, not to mention more healthy.

Many find that they do not go out to eat nearly as much as they used to. Both the cost and the risk of getting glutened are quite a deterrent. I think I'd try not to put myself in situations where gluten-filled foods are too prominent, like pizza parties and such. Once you learn how to make your own gluten-free pizza crust, you can have a pizza party without the pain!

I'm sure others will have some very helpful advice for you too. You've come to the right place for help and support.

Welcome to the board!

[ShayFL]

I can understand how you feel.

If you rely on pre-packaged foods, yes your food bill can go up.

Stock up on par-boiled brown rice (rice cakes), beans (cans or dry and dont forget refried), potatoes (baked and fries), sweet potatoes, corn (cob, grits, tortillas, corn bread) for your carbs. All of these are super cheap.

Add leans meats, fruits and veggies and nuts and seeds.

Healthy and need not bee expensive.

[msmini14]

I know its hard, I just posted a thread on a company outing because it is still hard for me to attend a social event. If you buy the basic foods and stay away from all the pre packaged gluten-free items you will save a lot of money. Maybe reserve a day once a month to make something special since it is so expensive, that is what I am doing now.

Again I know its hard. I have consumed gluten some where and have been ill for almost 2 weeks. Makes me want to cry, I want to be normal.

Read the post I made and you will get some answers there too. =) Goodluck to you

[Debkrause1]

It is very common to feel the way you do at first, but over time it gets much easier. Especially when you feel so much better too!

As for the cost of gluten-free foods, many on this board report a lower food bill, because wholesome foods like veggies, fruits, beans, unprocessed grains, etc are often less expensive than processed stuff. They are also much healthier, so you win health-wise as well. Also, making your own gluten-free baked goods will save money over the prepackaged stuff, and they can be much better tasting, not to mention more healthy.

Many find that they do not go out to eat nearly as much as they used to. Both the cost and the risk of getting glutened are quite a deterrent. I think I'd try not to put myself in situations where gluten-filled foods are too prominent, like pizza parties and such. Once you learn how to make your own gluten-free pizza crust, you can have a pizza party without the pain!

I'm sure others will have some very helpful advice for you too. You've come to the right place for help and support.

Welcome to the board!

I will try some of that. I havent been going to eat as much. Its just not worth getting sick. But for my little girl is hard we had tons of birthday parties to go to. I always bring her gluten free cookies and what not but she tells me she feel different. I hate it for her. This ajustment period is hard.

[Debkrause1]

I can understand how you feel.

If you rely on pre-packaged foods, yes your food bill can go up.

Stock up on par-boiled brown rice (rice cakes), beans (cans or dry and dont forget refried), potatoes (baked and fries), sweet potatoes, corn (cob, grits, tortillas, corn bread) for your carbs. All of these are super cheap.

Add leans meats, fruits and veggies and nuts and seeds.

Healthy and need not bee expensive.

I know the pre-packaged food is more expensive but right now that is all i can buy. With my hours at work and and being a single mother I dont have time to make a lot of things. When I can I do but that usally only happends on the weekend.

Thank you sooo much for your tips. I need all the help I can get!!!

[Debkrause1]

I know its hard, I just posted a thread on a company outing because it is still hard for me to attend a social event. If you buy the basic foods and stay away from all the pre packaged gluten-free items you will save a lot of money. Maybe reserve a day once a month to make something special since it is so expensive, that is what I am doing now.

Again I know its hard. I have consumed gluten some where and have been ill for almost 2 weeks. Makes me want to cry, I want to be normal.

Read the post I made and you will get some answers there too. =) Goodluck to you

I know what you mean. I have one friend that has this too and she has helped me a lot. But I find hanging out with her is eaiser because when we do dinner I dont have to worry. Like when I go to my friends houses and the cook or order out I cant eat anything most of the time. Then they feel bad and I feel stupid. I hate it.

I know what you mean about being sick. Its happend a lot since Im new to this. Before they found out I had Celiacs I lost jobs because I would get so sick. I was in the hospital all the time. Sometimes I think life hard enought why cant I at least eat what I want! Its kinda hard for my little girl. When there are birthday parties I always bring her gluten free cookies or something like that but she tells me she hates it because she feel different. And the kids are young and want to know why she gets those snacks instead of the cake. They are to young to understand and when they call her out she feels bad.

Not to mention her grandparents on her dads side dont really think she has this and they will let her eat a hot dog with a bun behind my back. Then she gets sick or consipated and she is miserable. I had to tell them if you wont follow the diet you cant see her. It just feel like life got so much more complicated because of this!

Im sooo sorry to hear you are sick. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I will check out your post now!

[sickchick]

Lovely to meet you... you definitely came to the right place

Good good luck on your healing journey, and beautiful daughter too!

lovelove

sickchick

[Welda Johnson]

Hi Deb,

I feel for you and your daughter! I know how hard the beginning phases of getting on a Celiac diet can be. I've had symptoms since the age of 8 and am now 63. Whereas I was so sick before, now that I have been on the Celiac diet, I feel healthy spiritually, mentally and physically. I can see that having this condition is one of the main reasons I have learned more about who I am and how I can be the best that I can be. Having Celiac helps me be more aware of others and whatever illnesses they are experiencing or have experienced.

I was primary daycare provider for my newborn grandson when I discovered that he had Celiac and allegies to all milk and dairy, just as I do. I learned alot about taking care of an infant who had to be on a special diet, then about a toddler, then about a child of preschool age and how you can keep them well. It IS possible to help your child be gluten-free, and there is no more fiercely protective person on earth than a parent or grandparent. I was just talking to my son, who commented on a little girl who has Celiac and is a friend of my 14 year old granddaughter. For the past 7 years she has attended birthday parties and pizza parties with these same children, and her mother provides cupcakes for the birthday parties, and I think maybe gluten-free pizza for the pizza parties. All the other kids seem to take it for granted now that she will be eating a little differently, but they seem to love her as a friend, so it doesn't seem to matter. As a retired teacher, I can attest to the fact that being in touch with teachers, and with the parents of your child's friends, will make all the difference.

If you'd like to talk about some of the problems that are coming up, feel free to email me at Welda@att.net. Best of luck on making this work. You and your daughter will feel so much bettter. Welda