Is Life Over..?

[jewlesD]

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Well, I was recently diagnosed (March 2008) and it does get easier reading labels. It's still frustrating and I made a mistake thinking I was totally gluten free when one of the supplements I was taking had oats in it. It said wheat free, I just didn't look at it carefully. I read the book "Living Gluten Free for Dummies" which was a huge help. I also went to celiac.com and printed out the safe and unsafe foods list. Some grocery stores have lists you can print out. Also Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joes, etc.

I still have to take lists to the store with me, but you get used to it. You will get a lot of great info just from this forum. One of the best things I read I believe on this form is when checking for gluten is to google what you are checking and add the work gluten after it, such as: Neutrogena gluten. Lots of info will come up.

Hope that helps. It does get easier, some days better than others.

[Ursa Major]

Hi and welcome to our forums!

Yes, it will get easier. But it takes months before it will become second nature. I remember at first I would, without thinking, grab a cookie and take a bite, before I would, to my horror, realize what I was doing. Some things are so automatic, and it takes time to unlearn certain habits and to learn new ones.

You absolutely will make mistakes at first, and you will get glutened as well. It is inevitable. But it will get easier and easier, and soon living gluten-free will feel completely normal.

It is wise not to replace all gluten foods with gluten-free versions at first, because the gluten-free foods are generally harder to digest, more fattening and just plain not too great for you. You will heal faster if you avoid them for a while.

But there is no reason to give up cake for good, or anything else you like. You can bake fabulous cakes gluten-free, and nobody will know the difference. I've even made Black Forest cake gluten-free (the original German recipe, not the American fake version) and everybody is raving about it the same as before I made it gluten-free.

[mamaw]

Hi & Welcome.

It does take time to learn about your new lifestyle & there will be ups & downs in the learning process. Some see almost instant results while others take a year or more to heal & to start to feel better. I can tell you it is so worth the journey.....in the end you will feel so good .

You have a great celiac support group in Lancaster. Sue is very good so please connect up with her. There is a baker that sells some gluten-free goodies at your farmer's market. Sorry I just forgot his name but the Lancaster group knows it.

In Dillsburg there is a wonderful store called The Gluten Free Source. Lauren carries all gluten-free food items. The store is online also.

There is alot you still can purchase from the grocery store too. I'll name you a few things.

Progresso soups: creamy mushroom,lentil,chik & wild rice, chik & rice,chik vegetable & clam chowder.

LaChoy soy sauce is ok as well as Wal-Mart brand.

Heinz vinegar is all good except for any flavored or malt vinegar.

Rice chex ( new box labeled gluten-free on front)

Cream of rice

Swanson chicken broth

cheese whiz

lay's chips are clearly labeled.

doritos are clearly labeled.

kraft is clearly labeled.

Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce

contadina tomato products

jif peanut butter & natural peanut butter

cool whip

jello

Herb Ox bouillon

oretega taco shells (hard)

McCormick spices clearly labeled

prego

A7W root beer

Virgil's root beer

7 up

ore iad fries clearly marked

delimex taquitos

pure maple syrup

bush baked beans not all the grillin beans are ok.

rumsford baking powder

french mustard

Bell & evans gluten-free chiken nuggets ( black box)

Amy's soups clearly labeled

If you need more just pm me & I can give you more.

Pamela's had good cake mixes

Naked meats (plain) add your own spices. Stay away from marinates & glazes until you learn what to look out for.

Fruits & vegetables plain are fine.

You will want to add fiber to your diet. I use Flax Seeds ground & Lame Advertisement seeds

I hope this will get your started. I'll be glad to help you all I can . I run the group in my area. I can put you onto the cream of the crop in gluten-free. Just ask!

blessings

mamaw

[jewlesD]

Hi & Welcome.

It does take time to learn about your new lifestyle & there will be ups & downs in the learning process. Some see almost instant results while others take a year or more to heal & to start to feel better. I can tell you it is so worth the journey.....in the end you will feel so good .

You have a great celiac support group in Lancaster. Sue is very good so please connect up with her. There is a baker that sells some gluten-free goodies at your farmer's market. Sorry I just forgot his name but the Lancaster group knows it.

In Dillsburg there is a wonderful store called The Gluten Free Source. Lauren carries all gluten-free food items. The store is online also.

There is alot you still can purchase from the grocery store too. I'll name you a few things.

Progresso soups: creamy mushroom,lentil,chik & wild rice, chik & rice,chik vegetable & clam chowder.

LaChoy soy sauce is ok as well as Wal-Mart brand.

Heinz vinegar is all good except for any flavored or malt vinegar.

Rice chex ( new box labeled gluten-free on front)

Cream of rice

Swanson chicken broth

cheese whiz

lay's chips are clearly labeled.

doritos are clearly labeled.

kraft is clearly labeled.

Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce

contadina tomato products

jif peanut butter & natural peanut butter

cool whip

jello

Herb Ox bouillon

oretega taco shells (hard)

McCormick spices clearly labeled

prego

A7W root beer

Virgil's root beer

7 up

ore iad fries clearly marked

delimex taquitos

pure maple syrup

bush baked beans not all the grillin beans are ok.

rumsford baking powder

french mustard

Bell & evans gluten-free chiken nuggets ( black box)

Amy's soups clearly labeled

If you need more just pm me & I can give you more.

Pamela's had good cake mixes

Naked meats (plain) add your own spices. Stay away from marinates & glazes until you learn what to look out for.

Fruits & vegetables plain are fine.

You will want to add fiber to your diet. I use Flax Seeds ground & Lame Advertisement seeds

I hope this will get your started. I'll be glad to help you all I can . I run the group in my area. I can put you onto the cream of the crop in gluten-free. Just ask!

blessings

mamaw

[jewlesD]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. It is much appreciated! I do plan on getting hooked up with a group here in Lancaster, and I am going to check out that store in Dillsburg. Someone said its not a good idea to replace all the foods I use to eat with gluten free ones because they are not that good for you...why is that? AND is it better to try and eat what I can that is naturally gluten free? thank you again for the encouragement...it was just a bit of a shock at first to learn I had Celiac, but also a blessing because now I can at least try and control it. Thanks again!

[aikiducky]

A lot of the gluten free breads and cookies and such are made with mostly corn and rice, and they are mostly carbs and not that much other nutritional value. Of course it depends on the individual product. But in general I agree you'll be better of concentrating on naturally gluten free foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish, and have the baked goods more as a treat than as a staple. It's cheaper that way as well.

Someone on another board once said, very wisely I thought, that it really takes at least a year to really get to grips with gluten free living. Because you need to get through every holiday and special occasion, like birthdays and Thanksgiving for example, at least once to see how you want to cope with it. Just take it one day ata time...

Pauliina

[Live2BWell]

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

Hello! I hear you about feeling overwhelmed [and I haven't even been diagnosed yet!]

I am glad that found a diagnosis for you, and something that IS soooo manageable. Although an adjustment for sure, it's definitely doable

I too want to second the book "Living Gluten Free For Dummies" by Danna Korn, as well as her other book "Wheat Free, Worry Free: The Art of Happy Healthy Gluten Free Living" - her website is Open Original Shared Link

Hang in there, this board will certainly help

[A-Swiss]

Honestly, it took about 2 months to really get into the swing of things. You will be AMAZED at what you actually can eat if you just check it first. I can still go to Chinese (Pei Wei, their spicy chicken is awesome!), and do Pizza (make your own or Waldo Pizza in KC is better than most pizza places anyway) and all the other things. I just usually have to make sure I check online or go with the simple things when I order. Eating at home was a change, but most everything I normally ate has a gluten free alternative that is about the same - and most of the time better. I lost 26 pounds during these last few months, but I am in shape and have a ton of energy. Sadly, I actually am not too upset about finding out so late in life (age 30, March of this year I found out).

[Adelle]

You'll be FINE! I think the trick is to just accept that life will be different from now on. Eating out will NEVER be easy (we generally don't eat out at all). You'll ALWAYS have to cook for yourself and plan ahead. Yes, sometimes it sucks. But you have to just decide that you can deal with this and move on. Then it gets easy.

I've been gluten-free for almost 2 years (it'll be 2 years in August) and it's just FINE! Most days, I don't even THINK about it!

Congrats on finding out tho!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Someone said its not a good idea to replace all the foods I use to eat with gluten free ones because they are not that good for you...why is that? AND is it better to try and eat what I can that is naturally gluten free?

The gluten-free breads, cakes, cookies, etc. are VERY difficult for gluten-damaged intestines to deal with. They are much heavier than gluteny breads. No, they don't contain the gluten that caused all the problems for us in the first place, but the damage takes months to heal. In the meantime, you will feel MUCH better if you don't sock your poor tummy with things that are tough on it!

I remember eating some gluten-free toast quite happily in the beginning--and less than an hour later, feeling like I'd swallowed a brick.

I don't think carbs are a problem. Rice and potatoes should be fine, as long as you don't have any specific sensitivities to them. But those heavy gluten-free breads and cookies are, unfortunately, problematic for most of us in the beginning stages of recovery from gluten damage.

Keep your priorities straight. Believe it or not, the most important thing is NOT replacing gluteny yummy items with gluten-free versions. The most important thing right now for you is to help your body to heal.

The depth of the damage caused to us by gluten is far worse than just a little tummy ache. Our villi have ben damaged, we didn't absorb vital nutrients, and our immune systems attacked US--our thyroids, our joints,

our skin, our pancreases, our brains, and who knows what else.

Healing is more important than gluten-free breads.

And once you HAVE healed, then you can eat those gluten-free yummies--and amazingly, you will find that you can be perfectly satisfied with far less, because you won't react with that addictive, gotta-have-more-and-more, opoid effect that gluten causes!

[VioletBlue]

It does get easier. You come to remember what is and isn't gluten-free. You learn where gluten can hide. It gets easier. You will find your own way to cope. The whole mourning period is major grief, but that gets better too. There will always be issues becuase we live in a gluten laden world, but adjusting your own POV and dealing with the loss does happen and you do get past the worst of it It just takes time. Try to be patient with yourself. It took me about three months to figure out simple was better and safer, and six months to really get it all down, remember it, and have it be second nature.

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

[jewlesD]

Thank you all for the suggestions, advice and encouragement. They have been so helpful, and very encouraging to read about people dealing with the same issues. I made a big mistake today and had yogurt that was not gluten free and lovely itchy rash broke out my arm. I think maybe this is all part of the learning process, but boy does it sometimes seem kind of a harsh reality! Anyways, thank you again!

[sickchick]

I don't eat out AT ALL and I don't miss it.

[ssj5ggta]

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

Heya im new to the forum been gluten free for about ummm...8 years now, I was always sick when I was a kid carrying arround a bottle of pepto bismal and what not throwing up constantly it was lame. my mom had to pay me to go to the restroom because I hated it... I am incredibly skinny now lol. Anywayz I can go to the restroom very easily now and at first when I found out (15 am 23 now) after about 2 weeks I started feeling better, I absolutly refuse to eat anything with gluten in it sometimes ppl ask me if I want to try but I remember how it feels and I rather not feel like that thank you very much lmao. Anywayz it deffinently gets easier and becomes like second nature looking at the back of labels alot of things name the allergies on the bottom "Contains: milk, wheat" etc. and at restaraunts I just ask if I can read the back of the labels or ask them if they know if things are breded or not. I especially like my pizza's I make on tortilla shells, good stuff. Just put some pizza sauce and motzerella and peperonies on it and nuke it for 3:00 my most favorite quick meal. Anywayz tty laterz

[darlindeb25]

The depth of the damage caused to us by gluten is far worse than just a little tummy ache. Our villi have ben damaged, we didn't absorb vital nutrients, and our immune systems attacked US--our thyroids, our joints, our skin, our pancreases, our brains, and who knows what else.

Healing is more important than gluten-free breads.

Fiddle-Faddle is so right!!! When we first go gluten free, we need to be gentle on our systems. We need time to heal. Gluten free baked goods are so heavy, always. The flours are heavy, and I think tough on an already very delicate system.

I also do not eat out, and honestly do not miss it. It was always such a problem for me to begin with and I always ended up regretting eating out.

[agarciarice]

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

Hang in there. I too have recently found that I cannot have gluten. It has been many years of illness but I can now figure out how to feel better without medication.

At first I was discouraged and angry that I would not be able to sit down and enjoy a loaf of bread But after convincing myself several times that it had to be something else and eating gluten I realized it was not worth the pain an suffering. I now look at it as a way to be healthy and get rid of food that really had no nutritional value. There are many products on the market to try, brownies, cakes, cookies, etc. They are certainly not the same as what we once enjoyed but they won't make you sick after eating them. When thinking about what you can eat think about food that is not packaged. Packaged foods are typically filled with gluten. Meats and dairy are typically gluten free so you can eat almost any of that stuff, but ask and read lables to be sure. Fruit and veggies in there natural form are gluten free. I eat a lot of salads and my favorite is with hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon, grilled chicken and gluten free dressing. Fish is also gluten free. So if you think about it, if you go natural with your eating you will find it easier. You can still have pancakes, they make a gluten free mix and they are good with berries!

Hang in there. I am still learning how to be totally gluten free. It is hard but I am taking a positive approach in that it is simply a better and healthier way to eat.

I would also try to find others who are gluten free, the more you talk to people the more you will find that people are doing it. This is a great way to find new recipes and places to eat out.

Take care!

[ericajones80]

It is definitely something that gets a lot easier. There are Vegans out there who make decisions to eat a limited diet voluntarily, it is good for your health

[JulesNZN]

hi out there,

I am a 26 year old female and i was just diagnosed with Celiac...I have been spending the week mourning the loss of cake and Chinese food, but really happy they finally figured out what was wrong with me. From reading so many of your posts it sounds like it was a long journey for most to finally figure out what was wrong as well. Anyways, as a new Celiac I was just hoping someone could tell me it gets easier to read food labels, and gets easier to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I am feeling SOOO overwhelmed at the moment and feel like I have so much to learn, and if I dont learn it fast I keep feeling bad. Anyways, how long does it take to really feel like you have a good grasp of what to eat, and it becomes almost second nature?

You do not have to do with out Chinese, it is actually one of my primary food groups. True ethnic chinese and Thai food is often gluten free. Just ask at the restaurant, once past the language barrier I have found that these Asian restaurants understand more than an American or Italian restaurant and if a frequent customer will warn you of an ingredient change. Just stay away from Americanized Chinese restaurants. Spring roll at an Asian restaurant are always made with Rice Paper. Its delicious and better than an Egg Roll, you would be suprised.

Don't eat at an unfamiliar place, the best thing to remember is go to the same place and order the same thing. It reduces errors and the chefs are usually very proud of the specific special meal they make for you. I have found that to be the safest and most fun way to eat out. All the enjoyment none of the worry. Stay away from Chain restaurants because the cooks on when you are eating usuallt do not do the prep themselves and are often unaware fo minor ingredients. I have also found that Brand Loyalty makes for less stress. It is easier to notice a change on label you are familiar with and it doesn't take as much reading while shopping which can often be time consuming.

[JulesNZN]

I have been doing this for a long time over 25 years since i was 6. I got a good handle on it when I moved out on my own but watching others eat gluten and have dessert is still very difficult for me. My family has been supportive around birthdays my immediate family and I have moved all our birthdays to a restaurant and dessert is banned from these occassions. They actually like it better but for the rest of the family, I do not attend events that are filled with glutenous food and temptations such as cookouts and birthdays because even though my family know of my allergy I am not usually able to eat adequately and they make me feel guilty for being hungry. I have found avoidance of these types of gatherings including pizza parties at work if explained is understand and with family matters you could always set up a one to one event which is often more appreciated by the guest of honor at another time.

Good Luck,

[ShayFL]

Most restaurants will allow you to bring a dessert from home like a birthday cake. Just call ahead. Explain Gluten Free. Bring your own gluten-free cake. They will be happy to provide the plates and silverware. Especially for a party that is ordering foods and drinks. Ask what brand of ice cream they serve and if it is gluten free, that can be served with your gluten-free cake.

[babysteps]

I completely understand folks who avoid eating out, it is more work eating out gluten-free and there are cc risks.

For myself, I do eat out - some chains have pretty reliable gluten-free options, others are trickier.

Most family-run and special occasion restaurants tend to be easier, as they usually make everything from scratch and know exactly what is in their food. It does take some practice, so you may want to wait until you're comfortable eating gluten-free and explaining it to others.

There is a useful protocol for eating out gluten-free at Open Original Shared Link that is mostly oriented toward non-chain restaurants.

Chefs are getting much more educated vs. a few years ago. A heads-up ahead of time (eg make a reservation if you can & explain you are gluten-free) is often very helpful. And if your waitperson isn't quite getting it or doesn't seem super helpful, ask if you can go talk to the manager or the kitchen. For restaurants that use Open Original Shared Link for reservations, a note on the reservation is *very* effective (even better than by phone) - but I do this only if the restaurant links to open table, not directly from open table itself...

And always accept a "no" on an item, for example polenta "should" be okay but some food service polenta has wheat flour in it, so if the wait person says "no" I accept that! Sometimes I challenge an "okay" (gluten-free meatballs are not impossible but are very rare, but one waitperson insisted otherwise...until later in the meal when she apologized and said the chef had confirmed - but that wasn't something I was going to order anyway!).

Sorry to go on so long on this ...

It DOES get easier with practice, hang in there!!