How Do You Start gluten-free

[Gutbomb]

You just stop eating gluten right...I know. But then you have your cross contamination, people talking about make up and shampoo. It is so daunting. How did you start?

[Katsby]

I replaced my toothbrush and made sure my toothpaste was safe, checked my lotions, etc. I made sure I had at least 1 saucepan and 1 skillet to start with that were purely for gluten free. I have my own plastic spoons and my own bread/baking pans and cutting board. I never owned a toaster so I didn't have to replace that, but you may have to. Just don't let it overwhelm you.

[Gutbomb]

WHy do make up and lotions matterif you don't digest them?

[Lisa]

Keep everything simple. Meat, seafood, potatoes, rice, fresh veggies and fruit. Stay away from processed food for a while and limit your seasonings to salt and pepper. Later, you will be able to add addition things when you learn more about what to look for in ingredients.

Scratched pots and pans should be replaced and a shared toaster won't work (gluten crumbs and such). The reason behind this is that gluten can hide everywhere and it would not be wise to risk cross contamination with your cookware. Other cookware can be cleaned well. New wooded spoons and cutting board would be a wise choice.

Some shampoos, lipsticks and lotions can contain gluten. Gluten needs to be ingested to cause a reaction, but so can lotions on your hands or face and lipstick. Some people with DH can react to topical gluten.

There is a lot to learn, but it does get easier.

[purple]

Don't eat out until you learn all the safe places and items you can eat, pack food/snacks, make a trip to the dollar store, wash your hands before eating every time, study...study...study, make notes, take notes to the store, look for labeled gluten-free items until you learn what the labels actually say, when in doubt-don't eat it, look at the foods you can eat rather than the foods you can't eat, freeze mini meals and entrees for emergencies, don't go for junk food b/c there is no nutrition, think of it has a healthy way to eat b/c before, you were getting sick and who knows where that road was taking your body???

[Gutbomb]

How soon before I know that it is working? How soon before anxiety lessens or is gone?

[Beth in NC]

Amanda, I'm not quite two weeks into my new diet and I can already tell a difference in how I feel. I will say that the first few days after diagnosis I was a panic attack waiting to happen! My anxiety level was sky high and it wasn't because my meds weren't working. I was grieving the loss of how I loved to eat, of the easy lifestyle that was soon to get much more difficult. If you are diligent, you may see results pretty quickly. I could feel my energy level rising after only a few days, my chronic constipation no longer required massive amounts of supplements to "get going" and my pain lessened. It didn't go away, but it lessened. Some things I wasn't even aware had improved until I got glutened a week later. Areas were hurting that I didn't realize had stopped!

It's all worth it. Really, it is.

[Gutbomb]

So I think I am totally gluten free today. I am sure I am not but hey. Almost had a freak out on the coffee stand girl when she used a spatula to scoop the splenda foam off my Kona. Thought I couldn't go wrong with a cup of kona with 4 splenda.

Anyhoo...LOL

[Beth in NC]

I can't remember if this was suggested or not, but keep a food diary, right down to the brand name. I'm also keeping a journal that briefly states my symptoms, or lack of them, each day as well. It will help you pinpoint problem areas.

[Gutbomb]

I can't remember if this was suggested or not, but keep a food diary, right down to the brand name. I'm also keeping a journal that briefly states my symptoms, or lack of them, each day as well. It will help you pinpoint problem areas.

I keep track of everything on a diet website called sparkpeople.com. It is meant to keep track of calories, fat and carbs but it works for this as well. They also have a few gluten free groups there to talk with. I can also print out my journals if I need to take them with me anywhere.

Called my doctor and I won't have the test results for like a week so I probably won't know until Monday or so. I don't know why the tech told me the next day.

[frec]

I noticed you are from Oregon? You probably have access to Whole Foods, New Seasons, or Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's has my favorite rice bread, especially good for toast. If you are also off dairy they have the best non-dairy prices and lots of choices. They have gluten free frozen waffles and pancakes too. Whole Foods and New Seasons are wonderful but pricier.

If you are in the Portland area, Corbett's Fish House is gluten free.

Definitely carry snacks with you. I think the hardest part of being gluten free is getting hungry away from home. Finding a quick something can be difficult and fast food is pretty much impossible.

Once things settle down as far as shopping and digestion, consider taking some sort of calcium/magnesium supplement, preferably with vitamin D3. Celiacs are at high risk for osteoporosis.

I was really surprised how many things improved when I went on this diet. Some of them were problems I had no idea had been caused by gluten.

[Gutbomb]

I already take a buttload of vitamins. Luckily they are all gluten free. I take a good multi, vitamin d with calcium, and omega 3.

I am in Southern Oregon and have no whole foods or trader joes. We have a local place called Food 4 less and they have a huge health foods section. We also have a Fred Myers, Safeway, Albertson, Super Walmart and Winco.

Nothing new today. I am still really tired. Doctor refilled my hycosamine so I have that for emergencies. I hate taking it because it really dries me out, literally.

[gfpaperdoll]

unless you have diabetes - I would ditch the splenda & use honey instead.

spenda is totally not good for anyone. When you get your diet adjusted & do not eat the things that you are intolerant to - you will lose weight. Please do not be using the artificial sweetners - I do not care what any company says etc. so, if someone wants to say that it is proven safe, go ahead. it is MY opnion that it is not.

[lindajeaninsc]

Nothing new today. I am still really tired. Doctor refilled my hycosamine so I have that for emergencies. I hate taking it because it really dries me out, literally.