So New To This Celiac Thing

[Bethe444]

I'm 41 years old and FINALLY had a diagnosis of Celiac Disease. For years the doc's said IBS and lactose intolerance. A few years ago my gliadin test were abnormal, but not my biopsy. Now, new tests Iga and Igg were positive. I also tested positive for B12 deficiency and anemia (malabsorption), and thyroid problems. I'm average in weight exept for the belly bloat. For the life of me I could never understand why so bloated, sick to my stomach, fatigue, irratibility, slightly depressed and weak. Now I know. However, this diet is so hard. I've been a carb addict my entire life -- now I know why I felt like I did for so long.

I'm still waiting for genetic tests to come back, but it is pretty evident that Celiac is the case. Today was not good. My husband and I ate Taco Bell. I thought a simple taco -- corn shell, cheese, beef and tomatoes would be okay. Little did I know that the beef had a ton of gluten in it. Later during the day I became very fatigued, really -- really moody (Like having a breakdown moody). I mowed the lawn and struggled like I had the flu, weak, and could barely do it. So here I am looking for support. I think I'm a pretty smart person, my husband was a Chef for many years and understands gluten free (thanks for the Taco Bell honey). So I thought I could handle this myself but I can't. I do not know anyone that has celiac. (I think my grandmother had it, and I think she died from it -- she had non-Hodgkins Lymphoma late in life, stomach issues and a HUGE gut, but small frame).

Anyhow, I'm just looking for a little support and any advise would be great too. I have found a few places like Meijer and Whole Foods that have a good variety of products. But what does a gluten tolerant person with a busy career and family life eat on the go? Ugghhh! I'll eventially get it!

Thanks for Reading. Hope to hear from someone.

[rosyrear1]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in January of this year. I have 5 young kids (7, 6, 4, 3 and 2) and I am married. When they told me what I have and what I had to do I almost laughed in the doctors face thinking ya right! I started reading anything I could find about celiac disease and even went to a nutritianist/dietician to try to get help. I work full time and don't get home to feed my family until around 8 at night so need the food to be fast. I found myself having to cook one thing for my kids and husband and try not to take any nibbles then try to find something that I could eat that I would like. By the way, I HATE rice! So, I would try to have potatoes and some blandly flavored chicken that I had made up before if my kids didn't eat it while I was at work. I think I may have made it 1 full week before deciding it was too hard. I was having temptation at work since they provide breakfast and lunch on a regular basis, I was having temptation at home because no one that doesn't have to go gluten free wants to go gluten free. I sit here wondering if I really have this problem because everything I read has people that are thin and getting thinner. I am very large, have always been very overweight and not losing any weight only gaining. I was actually thinking that if I eat the gluten and I stop absorbing nutrients maybe I will finally lose weight. I guess I wanted to write on here and see if anyone has any suggestions that may help me out with all of this. As of right now I have given up.

[Roda]

I'm sorry that both of you are having a hard time. You will have a period of emotional adjustment. I work full time on night shift (12 hr shifts) and I do know how hard it can be to have to cook every night. Thankfully I already made majority of our meals at home. My husband will cook some also. The time it gets frustrating for me is when I get off from work in the morning, sleep about 3-4 hrs, and get up for the rest of the day when I'm off that night. The last thing I want to do is cook in my sleep deprived state. Before I would just order in a pizza or get take out. Sometimes my husband and boys still do that and I fend for myself. Most of the time I only cook one meal for all of us for supper, with the exception if we are having pasta. Then I cook two seperate pastas but we all eat the same sauce, meatballs etc. Breakfast is whatever anyone wants, and sometimes lunch is the same and sometimes not. Supper is the meal I don't compromise on. All my baking, cookies cakes, brownies etc are all made gluten free. If the rest of the family wants "gluten versions" of those things, they either buy it or eat it at other places. Most of what I liked to cook before has been easily converted to gluten free or already was. The family does not seem to mind at all.

Things you can prepare in a crock pot and start before work on low should be ready for supper. Keeping bonless chicken breasts or pork and frozen stirfry veggies on hand is good as a quick stirfry supper. Another thing I like to do is when I make soup I make extra and freeze it in individual serving containers for me later. I have been known to take a day and just cook and bake and freeze the extras. Pancakes, muffins and other baked goods freeze well. We like to have breakfast for supper and will have that as a meal and is fairly quick to whip up. To keep baking simple I have found I like the gluten free flours that you just substitute cup for cup for regular flour. Just remember, you may have to increase the liquids a little since gluten free flours in stuff can get a little thicker. Tom Sawyer and Better Batter are two kinds, but there are others.

As for quick things for on the go or for me and the kids at home I keep on hand a ready supply of fresh fruits and veggies like carrots, apples, cucumbers and bananas. I also keep a varity of canned fruit in the pantry along with peanut butter, jelly and marshmallow fluff. My fridge always has yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese sticks, and deli meat/cheese that the kids and I can grab as a quick lunch or snack. Rice cakes, cornthins, and nut thins (crackers) are good to keep on hand. Humus is also another quick thing you can either buy or make.

Your kids probably will come around and be more willing to try things. My boys are 8 and 4 and they see me eating things and want to try it. Sometimes they don't like it, but alot they do. We love to make psudo pizzas out of rice cakes. Just take a rice cake top it with mozzerela cheese and pepperoni and put in the microwave until melted. UMM GOOD!

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps!

PS. For those who hate or can't eat rice there are alot of other grains/psudo grains that are very nutritios and good. Quinoa, millet, and buckwheat are a few I have tried. I have a recipe for peruvian quinoa stew that is fabulous.

[mushroom]

A big welcome to you both.

First of all, take a big breath and let it out. It's really not that bad, just a bit overwhelming at first until you get the hang of it.

Next, Rosy, you are going to have to try to get your family to work with you on this. You can't be cooking two meals every night, you'll exhaust yourself. Set up some rules and make them follow them. If you set aside a shelf for yourself in the refrigerator, NOBODY is allowed to touch that food except you! Get yourself a separate toaster, frying pan, utensils, and again, a separate space for these things so they don't get contaminated. A separate part of the counter no one else is allowed to use. It will be hard with the little ones, but they can learn.

Next, while you get started your family is going to have to eat simple meals. Most meat, (don't buy anything pre-seasoned or pre-prepared in any way), fish, vegetables, fruit, rice (pity you can't eat it Rosy) is all gluten free. These will form the backbone of your meals. The family can season things up if they want after you have cooked them, or you can season them with gluten free seasonings.

But you will be surprised how many of the gluten free things your family will end up liking. Just don't tell them that it's gluten free. Many members here have families who prefer gluten free. Use the weekends to roast a couple of chickens or make a big stew or a large quantity of whatever your family eats, gluten free pasta sauce, e.g. And then you can have roast chicken on the weekend, chicken salad or something else during the week. The important thing is to keep it simple at first. You can cook separate pasta at first for them, and slip them some Tinkyada one night without telling them, see if they know the difference. But you have to get your husband to help you and support you in this. It is just TOO important for your health. It is not something you have an option about.

Rosy, there are a lot of overweight celiacs; I was one of them. Your body seems to go into conservation mode and store everything because it's not getting the nutrients it needs. When you go fully gluten free you will probably be really surprised at the weight you lose. It's eating the gluten that is making you gain. For others, of course, it is the reverse, the so-called "classic" celiac.

There are lots of people on where who are whizzes at planning out menus for the week who I am sure will chime in and help you out. Rissa Roo is one of them; check her out. Check the recipe thread on here, there are some great ideas and subjects.

Beth, eating on the go is the hardest part because so little takeway food is gluten free. Always keep gluten free food/snacks in your car, your purse, at work, because you are always going to find yourself hungry with nothing around you can eat. Others will post lists of safe foods for you, I'm sorry I don't know them. But always have something like a Lara Bar handy for emergencies, bring dinner leftovers for lunch at work.

I can see, Rosy, that you are constantly being surrounded with temptation that you will have to resist. But you must do it. Same advice as Beth, always have something with you that you can eat instead and be strong!

Good luck to you both, you CAN do this.

[Amy Joe]

I am also NEW, did my first grocery trip this week. I stuck to the outer isles first....fresh foods! Then wandered down the cereal and found 3 chex's that are gluten-free. Bought a couple gluten-free flour mixes and made my own bread, have it in the fridge and will last me a week. I found ALL corn soft taco shells in the dairy section and they make great small sandwich wraps!

I am day 4 being gluten-free. Last night was my first night in 5 years I went to bed TOTALLY drug free, I needed nothing! My tummy feels better with regards to a rock hard gas pouch.

I know it must be hard, working full time with a family. Mine is grown and gone and I am not working yet, still recovering from brain surgery. I just take the "Normal" menu, found the few replacement ingredients for me.

I think for me I have a very different view of this. Because of the brain surgery and what I went through before it.....to me this is dealable! If it will STOP the fatigue and helps my body heal, I'll get over this hurdle. All changes are hard at first. I used to work 60-70 hours per week, lived in a big house in a richer town.........it's all material when you come down to it! Your health is priceless!

You only have 1 life........it's not a rehearsal. This is it! My new motto!!!!

I was actually glad to get the Dx of Celiac and not some other weird rare disease that would need surgery or harsh drugs. Food! I can do this....I hope you can too!

Amy Joe

[Wenmin]

Here is a partial listing of Gluten Free Mainstream food products that was very helpful to me. It is quite outdated but was my "bible" when I was diagnosed back in July 2008. I still refer to it today in some cases. Please don't try to find "all" of these items at once, it will make you crazy. Instead, pick 2-3 items a week that you are craving and find those in a grocery store. In just a few weeks, you will be enjoying life and feeling a whole lot better!

homepage.mac.com/sholland/celiac/GFfoodlist.pdf

Hope this helps!

[heatherjane]

If you haven't already, try to find a local support group in your area. I've been going to the one in my city, and the people there are really nice and very encouraging. Although this online forum has been a lifesaver for me, I think the best thing for me has been meeting people in person who've been dealing with this disease for decades longer than I have...gives me the strength to fight another day. Plus, my support group has monthly pot lucks. Everything there is safe (obviously), so I can eat with freedom and enjoy it.