New To This, Pregnant, Very Lost...

[chloesmomma09]

So my doctor told me the other week he believes I have Celiac Disease. Im now 27 almost 28 weeks pregnant and even though Im taking my vitamins and other meds my iron, protien, and vitamin K are dangerously low, and instead of gaining weight I keep loosing it. Ill gain like 4 lbs and then in a week Ill loose that and more. So he did a blood test but in a small town like mine they had to send it off, and then wherever they sent it off too had to send that and the results some place else. He told me until my test comes back to try a gluten free diet and see if it helps but the problem is IDK ANYTHING about a gluten free diet or even what foods to get. Do meats and fresh fruits and veggies have gluten? I know the typical things like wheat rye oats and things like that, but my doctor already has me on a strict diet to try and get my weight and vitamin levels up in a safe range and Im not sure about anything...can someone help?

And could my daughter end up with this if I have it? Is it genetic?

[lizard00]

Hi and welcome!

I know now is not really the time you want to have one more thing to worry about!!! I'm about 21 weeks, and there's enough to worry about!

The good news is that the gluten-free diet encompasses lots of healthy foods that we should be eating anyway. Fresh fruits, veggies, and fresh meats (if you buy frozen make sure you read the ingredients), rice, beans. Just because we can't have gluten food doesn't mean our food has to be gross... spices are naturally gluten-free, pure spices are usually a better bet than blends, which tend to have fillers. And this morning, I made biscuits for breakfast. (ok, ok, that's not so healthy, so we get to have some of that stuff, too!)

When reading ingredients look out for barley, barley malt, wheat products, oats, and rye. There is a list floating around here of companies who will not hide gluten... hopefully, someone will post it.

Feel free to ask any questions you have, there are a lot of well experienced folks who want to help here!

And yes, unfortunately, your daughter could possibly develop celiac at some point. But that doesn't mean she absolutely will. So far, my son isn't showing symptoms... who knows. But it's a relatively easy disease to manage once you get the hang of it. No drugs, just controlled by food.

Oh, and congrats on your little girl!

[mamaw]

Hi & Welcome

celiac is an autoimmune disease with the only cure to date is a gluten free diet.It is a lfelong commitment. It can run in families & other illness' can mimic celiac so a prompt dx's is not always the case. Many get dx's with other issues but in the end the bottom line is celiac. FOr some ten years before they finally get a dx's....( correct one)

All naked plain fruits, meats, & vegetables are naturally gluten-free. Avoid sauces, coatings, marinades ,breading. Look forthings that say gluten free instead of looking for wheat free. Wheat free does not mean gluten free.

McCormick spices are clearly labeled

I have to run now but if you need help in finding mainstream foods that are gluten-free Just ask.....

blessings

mamaw

[cyberprof]

So my doctor told me the other week he believes I have Celiac Disease. Im now 27 almost 28 weeks pregnant and even though Im taking my vitamins and other meds my iron, protien, and vitamin K are dangerously low, and instead of gaining weight I keep loosing it. Ill gain like 4 lbs and then in a week Ill loose that and more. So he did a blood test but in a small town like mine they had to send it off, and then wherever they sent it off too had to send that and the results some place else. He told me until my test comes back to try a gluten free diet and see if it helps but the problem is IDK ANYTHING about a gluten free diet or even what foods to get. Do meats and fresh fruits and veggies have gluten? I know the typical things like wheat rye oats and things like that, but my doctor already has me on a strict diet to try and get my weight and vitamin levels up in a safe range and Im not sure about anything...can someone help?

And could my daughter end up with this if I have it? Is it genetic?

Hi ChloesMomma, sorry you're having to deal with this but it may help you recover and feel better for the last part of the pregnancy and the fun part after delivery!

For the next few weeks, try not to stress about learning everything. Eat plain food for a while. You can safely eat:

Rice (plain white or brown or cooked with butter)

Plain chicken, beef, fish, shrimp, pork

Eggs

Plain veggies and fruits (maybe stick to applesauce, bananas and cooked veggies for a few weeks to help your digestion)

Plain potatoes (Ore Ida french fries are gluten-free except the battered ones)

Sweet potatoes

Peanut butter is usually ok.

Milk is ok, butter is ok, cheddar and american cheeses from Kraft are ok (although some celiacs can't drink milk products)

Kidney beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), black beans (plain, not seasoned)

Hormel Lunch meats should be ok.

Dried fruits like raisins, prunes/plums.

For snacks, Doritos plain tortilla chips, snickers bars, Reeces peanut butter cups. Paul Newman's popcorn is ok. Lara Bars are a good thing to eat for snacks (like a protein bar).

Haagen Daaz, Dreyers and Breyers vanilla ice cream for a treat.

You can start adding in spices and flavors as you learn more. Then from there you can learn about other tricky things like eating out.

Best of luck to you and your baby.