I Cant Take It Anymore Someone Help

[Will The Thrill]

I'm a 13 year old boy and have had celiac for 3 years and have never intentionally eaten gluten once. Everywhere i go i am surrounded by wheat and temptations and I just cant take it. All of the specially made gluten free food tastes awful to me so i only eat things that are naturally gluten free. My sister and all of my friends try and get me to eat just a little bit of wheat and i don't know what to do. I am also a vegetarian and my family only buys low or no fat things. Can anybody help me? I don't think i can go without eating gluten unless something changes.

[Ridgewalker]

Will,

I am so sorry you're going through this!!! Dealing with both your own cravings PLUS other people being gluten pushers.... the combo is incredibly hard to deal with.

Let's look at one thing at a time. First, the Pushers.

If you were older, I'd suggest spelling out the symptoms you get when you get glutened. But I'm betting that describing your vomiting, diarrhea, or who knows what to your friends wouldn't be something you'd want to do. So how 'bout this... Every time someone offers you a gluteny food, you respond in a calm, casual, friendly voice: "No thanks, that would give me cancer." End of story. Same line, every time, and it doesn't need to be embellished on, unless you feel like it.

Secondly...

As for your cravings, you HAVE to find some treat that you can look to when it gets bad. Do you do any cooking, or pretty much leave it to Mom? Either way, the people here (myself included) have tons of recipes and many of them truly do taste great. The cold fact is, pre-made gluten-free stuff, and even a lot of mixes, don't taste very good.

Do you just not do meat, or are you totally vegan? I always bake with eggs, but I understand there are good egg replacers out there. I also use Light Smart Balance instead of butter in my cooking. Low fat, and it's actually labeled gluten-free. If you're willing to do just a teensy bit of baking from scratch, you can have some killer desserts. If you want, I can give you the best ones I've found, and you can print them out.

I wish I had more to offer. Hang in there!!!

[ShayFL]

It is tuff for sure!! You do need some FAT though and it will help with cravings and temptation. A growing man needs some FAT. Eggs are good and so are nuts.

I made the Pamela's brownies this weekend and everyone loved them. Some of the mixes are quite good and anyone could bake them. Just tell us what you like and we can tell you what is tasty.

[Janessa]

I am vegetarian too, and I agree you need more fat in your diet. You also may need to eat more since a lot of things that are left for you to eat are naturally low fat and calorie.

You definitely should continue to try different gluten free treats until you find one you like so you will have something around for when those cravings or temptations hit. I love all of the Pamela's Mixes also Trader Joes makes a good brownie mix.

Naturally gluten free goodies are a chocolate bar (most Endangered Species Brand is gluten free) or ice cream (Ben and Jerry's will clearly label gluten ingredients)

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I totally agree withyou on the specially made items--most of them taste like styrofoam.

BUT--the home-baked gluten-free breads, cookies, pancakes, etc., taste just as good, sometimes even better than the gluteny items.

So I would suggest asking your parents if you can try baking things like bread for starters (you can always have it toasted with butter or margarine and fruit preserves--that's a pretty good snack!). And when you have wowed them (try the flax skillet bread, it sounds healthy, has olive oil for fat, and is DELICIOUS either plain or sliced and toasted with tomato sauce and melted cheese on top like pizza), then you can move on to things like cookies, pancakes, etc.

You also might ask your parents to come on this board. If they don't have to deal with this diet themselves, they just might not be able to appreciate how hard it can be--and they might be unaware that your sister and friends are trying to sabotage your diet.

They need to tell your sister in no uncertain terms that she CANNOT ever encourage you to eat "just a little" of something that can literally lead to cancer, lupus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes...

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if family counseling might be a good idea, as well as consultation with a celiac-savvy nutritionist, because vegetarian diets tend to be grain-based--and if you can't eat wheat, and they won't let you eat meat, you stand a very good chance of missing key nutrients, unless you really know what you are doing to replace the wheat/meat sources.

Also, my teenage son's favorite snack is steamed rice sprinkled with gluten-free soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped green onions, and chopped peanuts. Hope that helps!

[Ridgewalker]

Will, if you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you really, really do NOT want to eat wheat gluten. The only exceptions to this rule (that I can think of) are:

(1) that your doctor told you told to do because you're due for a biopsy confirming your diagnosis; or

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

WHAT!?!? Do NOT do that, ever ever ever ever, do NOT deliberately ingest gluten and think that a pill is going to do you any good! It's NOT! At the risk of going on a complete RANT, I am APPALLED that anyone would suggest this to ANYONE much less a kid!

This is exactly the problem with these pills! They make you think can get by with doing things like this, and you CAN'T! You always have a choice as to what you eat. I cannot think of any situation where you MUST order something with gluten. That is NEVER the case, unless someone has a gun to your head. If you have to wait ill you get home, you wait. Period!

These enzymes are NOT going to protect a Celiac from getting CANCER.

[ShayFL]

(1) that your doctor told you told to do because you're due for a biopsy confirming your diagnosis; or

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

I dont recommend either of these. Your already have your Dx and even the "smallest amount" can damage you. Gluten-ease and Gluten Defense are not for Celiacs and there is no evidence/studies or proof that they will protect your body from damage. Bad idea!!

[Will The Thrill]

Thanks for all your comments, but for the record, i have enough nutrition and fat in my diet. I get fats from cheese and nuts, they just get like skim milk and fat free cool whip and sour cream and stuff. Also my parents are health nuts so i take vitamins. So please don't comment on my nutrition, just on what would be good to eat, or do stuff that will help with how im feeling

[Nancym]

Will, sorry you're having trouble with this. I'll tell you one thing that helped me out was to look at gluten containing foods and say to myself "poison". It really worked! I can be around those foods now and I don't want them at all.

[LuvMoosic4life]

Hi

try Pamela's cookies in the box.The chocolate ones are amazing, even my gluten eating mom said they are the best cookies she ever had.

[Phyllis28]

I am not sure my gluten free treat ideas will meet your parents approval but here they are anyway:

Ice Cream - Ben and Jerry's in the best IMO with Haagen Daas my next choice

Frozen Yogurt - Haagen Daas and Ben and Jerry's are both very good IMO

Sorbets - Haagen Daas makes good ones IMO

Lara Bars

Glutino Breakfast Bars

Enjoy Life snack bars

Glutino Crackers topped with cheese

Glutino Pretzels

[Jestgar]

Will, if you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you really, really do NOT want to eat wheat gluten. The only exceptions to this rule (that I can think of) are:

(1) that your doctor told you told to do because you're due for a biopsy confirming your diagnosis; or

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

Will - Don't do this!

This person is misinformed. Those pills may help you digest starches, but they do nothing for gluten. You will damage your body.

[tom]

(2) . .. ..order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

This is wrong &, to me, highly irresponsible "advice".

PJ, if you use this "strategy", it's my belief you will one day greatly regret it.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

So please don't comment on my nutrition, just on what would be good to eat, or do stuff that will help with how im feeling

Will, the problem is that how you are feeling may have something to do with your nutrition.

Many of us here found that when we went gluten-free, we needed MUCH more protein in our diets than what we were accustomed to. THAT'S what helped me feel satisfied, not the gluten-free breads, etc.

For most of us, that meant fish, chicken, and beef, but that's not an option for you if you are vegetarian, so I really do think it's vitally important that you get perhaps even more of the protein/iron combinations than most vegetarians.

I'm also wondering about your gluten cravings. That might mean that you have (possibly inadvertently) been ingesting small amounts of gluten--which DOES cause cravings.

Practically everyone here on this board knows that after your system is 100% clear of gluten for a certain amount of time (usually a few weeks), you no longer crave it. With celiacs, gluten has an opioid effect on the brain, and it DOES make you crave more and more--the chemistry behind this is well-established.

Could your sister have been feeding you "just a little" without your knowledge? Probably she didn't know just how devastating an effect it can have on a celiac, even without considering the risk of intestinal damage.

And someone needs to explain it to her NOW.

[KaitiUSA]

Will, if you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you really, really do NOT want to eat wheat gluten. The only exceptions to this rule (that I can think of) are:

(1) that your doctor told you told to do because you're due for a biopsy confirming your diagnosis; or

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

WOW! That is some of the worst advice from a fellow celiac that I have ever heard. This person obviously is either new to celiac and just believed the first thing he/she read or is in denial. You should never eat any amount of gluten as even the smallest amount will give you damage whether or not you have symptoms.

I do have glutenease and if I somehow accidentally get glutened I will take them for one reason...they can't hurt anything because I am already miserable! lol and to me thats the only purpose they serve.

There are actually alot of "snacks" and "junk food" that we can still have. Alot of ice creams, chips, etc. if that is what you crave. As far as gluten free specialty items...some of it tastes like crap BUT there are alot of good brands and if you ask for suggestions I am sure people will be more than willing to help I know I will help.

I am a very picky eater and a brand I like to get alot of stuff is Gluten Free Bakehouse by Whole Foods has some really good Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, sandwich breads that don't tast like cardboard, cookies, and more that my husband loves and he is picky and not celiac.

Glutino has a pretty good cheese pizza too

As far as people trying to force it on you...just tell them it can die and it will just slowly kill you if you eat it. If they don't understand that is their problem. I know it is difficult. I was 17 when I was diagnosed and I had pizza parties and all that I went to and it was tempting but in the end I was able to resist because I was so miserable and knew how it made me feel. Just stay strong and know that you are not the only one.

If you need any help just let me know

[jerseyangel]

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

It bears repeating--this is not a good idea! Even "the smallest amount" of gluten will do damage.

I suggest always having some safe food with you when out.

[Janessa]

Will

Please understand that no one is suggesting that your parents are not providing you with what would be considered proper nutrition. Your needs may be different than what your parents are. As a vegetarian celiac I had to up the amount of (good) fats in my diet to have energy and feel good. As a teenager who is growing you may (or may not) need more fat and calories in your diet.

If you are not getting enough fat and calories you need it can result in you not feeling as good in general and you can become more irritable and more easily bothered by those around you tempting you with gluten. Another thing that can do this is other food sensitivities, if I have corn for instance I get very moody and feel like I can't deal with this anymore. Other foods that commonly cause this type of reaction is rice, soy and dairy.

This is just something you should keep on your mind in case problems develop

[Judyin Philly]

This is wrong &, to me, highly irresponsible "advice".

PJ, if you use this "strategy", it's my belief you will one day greatly regret it.

WILL--Welcome to our forum

YOUR 13 AND I'm 67.

I went un dx'd with celiac for over 25 years.

I have paid dearly for this.

I now have a dear friend who is 52 and had 20 years of un dx'd celiac.

She beat celiac related cancer once and was dx'd with it again last Thanksgiving........

I just typed a long post for you and lost it

I'll try to keep tabs on you and will write more later when I have more time.

Sorry......as I had so much more to share with you.

take care PLEASE

Judy

[Paul Jackson]

A message so very worthwhile, despite the seeming appearance of the nickname of its sender!

[blueeyedmanda]

Will, if you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you really, really do NOT want to eat wheat gluten. The only exceptions to this rule (that I can think of) are:

(1) that your doctor told you told to do because you're due for a biopsy confirming your diagnosis; or

(2) while at a restaurant, you have no choice but to order the dish containing the smallest amount of wheat, barley, or rye AND are going to take Gluten-ease or Gluten Defense pill with your meal.

Are you kidding me! This has got to be the most irresponsible advice you could ever give someone, especially a child. This will send him and other newbies the wrong information which can make them ill or if they are still healing give them a setback....

Will welcome to our forum!

[VioletBlue]

Oh HEY. Pamela's makes an ORGANIC, gluten free peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie that is amazing. I swear it's one of the best cookies I have every had, gluten free or otherwise.

Try and find a store that carries them though, because they crumble very easily so having them shipped can be a problem.

Hi

try Pamela's cookies in the box.The chocolate ones are amazing, even my gluten eating mom said they are the best cookies she ever had.

[linda7276]

Hi Will, so sorry to hear of your troubles, it's not easy being around other kids who are eating all of that junk and not be able to eat it yourself, my hat is off to you for doing as well as you have. I agree with everyone else here, you should never eat gluten, it is a toxic/poison to your body.

I know you don't want comments about your diet, and I'm sure yours is very good, but I also agree with Janessa, you might need more fats in your diet. You're body is still developing and our brains need a lot of fat. Fat might also make you feel satisfied and keep you away from some of those other foods. Coconut oil is very good, so is olive oil. There are others too.

You have to be your own BEST FRIEND, those friends or whoever that might suggest that you eat gluten have nothing to lose, but YOU do, don't let other people make those choices for you. YOU are the one who will suffer, not them, remember that next time. I wish you well. Linda

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Will--you can make Easy, Almost-Instant Pizza:

Put a corn tortilla (NOT flour, and check ingredient list to make sure it doesn't contain ANY flour) in a lightly greased frying pan.

Heat on high for 2 minutes on each side.

Turn off the flame, but leave it in the pan.

Spread tortilla with plain tomato sauce.

Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil or Italian seasoning (again, read the label)

Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella or your favorite cheese (my kids like Mexican)

Cover pan with a lid or with tin foil.

Wait 2 minutes and you have

PIZZA!

If you have friends who have pizza at their house, you can make a bunch of these in advance and bring them with you. AND you can invite your friends over for pizza and they will scarf these down.

[Calicoe]

Every time someone offers you a gluteny food, you respond in a calm, casual, friendly voice: "No thanks, that would give me cancer." End of story. Same line, every time, and it doesn't need to be embellished on, unless you feel like it.

Hi Will:

I haven't been on this site in several weeks until today, and wanted to respond to your post. I have been living with a gluten intolerance for just a few months now, and I have my hard times also. I have cheated on my diet a couple of times, but mostly with dairy. I am allergic to dairy, corn, wheat, and to a lesser extent soy, eggs and other foods. I am strict about the wheat, try to be strict about dairy but frequently mess up, and ingest corn, soy and eggs infrequently. It's been really difficult, but there is no escape; every time I ingest dairy or corn, I get horrible migraines, brain fog, skin rashes, and lose so much of my life force. I get exhausted, and feel stupid because I can't think clearly. My heart races, and I feel depressed. My whole appearance dims. It's not easy, because I like to eat. But, our health and our life force are worth it, because that's our essence. I am telling this to myself as much as to you. I'm with you - you're not the only one who has a hard time. If others try to tempt you with food that is going to give you cancer and diminish your life force, just think about us out here. We are here, and we can support you.

As for gluten, I just stay away, because as Ridgewalker so succinctly described above, it gives us cancer for sure. I found a great ice cream substitute (Rice Dreams Very Vanilla), which of course isn't an issue for you because you can eat dairy - lucky you - and Whole Foods 365 Brownie mix. I chop up some walnuts and sprinkle some coconut shavings in the mix and they are truly great! Even my non-gluten free friends love them. Last night I had a great pizza by Glutino, and at some point I am going to investigate how to make peanut butter/chocolate cookies. There are tons of great recipes and advice on this site, so you've come to the right place. Don't despair.

[home-based-mom]

Read this thread:

Open Original Shared Link

Grand Champion Banana Bread doesn't taste "awful." Certainly if you can't make this for yourself, someone in your family can make it for you. Also, Pamela's chocolate cake is very good and takes no more effort than any other cake mix.

Furthermore, if you are a diagnosed celiac, you have family members who should not be eating gluten, either, because celiac is genetic. Has the rest of your family been tested?

Is your home gluten free or is cross contamination always a possibility with every meal? This site has hundreds of gluten free recipes, many of them vegetarian.

Shame on your sister and your "friends" for trying to get you to eat something that is toxic to your body. I hope they grow up soon. What do they hope to accomplish? Why do they want to intentionally make you sick? Sorry to sound so harsh but that is just unacceptable behavior.