Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Omg! I Can't Do This.. :(

Vlo1980

By Vlo1980
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Vlo1980 Rookie
Vlo1980
Posted

I can't survive on such a strict diet! I'm having a really hard time adjusting and I can't go for very long without screwing up and eating stuff I shouldn't. I don't have time to cook my own meals because I pretty much work 24/7 so I don't know what to do. This is really discouraging and is the last thing I needed right now.

:(

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


TiffLuvsBread Rookie
TiffLuvsBread
Posted

Don't you feel sick as a dog when you eat gluten!?!? I can't imaging eating gluten on purpose, the pain and anguish I would go through for the sake of eating a cookie - absolutely not worth it.

Perhaps you are asymptomatic?

I guess it's hard to tell you to just think about your health - if you are sure you have Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance - because there are people out there that smoke every single day knowing it is killing them.

Is it really such a strict diet for you? It sounds like you eat a lot of fast food or grab your lunch instead of packing it due to time restrictions. For me it's easy to grab a couple pieces of gluten-free bread and some turkey and assemble it later, or pack a salad, maybe get some frozen gluten-free items from the grocery store that you can heat up at work. I replaced all my favorite things (bread/pasta/cereal) with gluten-free versions and it's all the same to me. I just can't eat pizza out at a restaurant (unless they have gluten-free) and I can't eat a brownie that someone brings into work. You have to practice will-power and you will FEEL empowered. It will help you along the way to think about how proud you are of yourself and mentally reward yourself for being good.

The Fluffy Assassin Enthusiast
The Fluffy Assassin
Posted
I can't survive on such a strict diet! I'm having a really hard time adjusting and I can't go for very long without screwing up and eating stuff I shouldn't. I don't have time to cook my own meals because I pretty much work 24/7 so I don't know what to do. This is really discouraging and is the last thing I needed right now.

:(

Breathe. Relax. Try your best, and try not to worry about it. Check your local health food stores for gluten-free frozen foods. Trader Joe's also has a good selection. The risk of cross-contamination is high, but I've done it and survived.

Just do the best that you can. Read this message board for tips, and ask for help. People here are quick with helpful suggestions and support. You can do it, it isn't as hard as you think, and it gets easier quickly. Good luck to you and welcome to the board.

Edit: Edited out the Taco Bell reference, as the OP doesn't eat fast food and a poster on the Restaurants board at this site points out that Taco Bell crunchy tacos are not gluten free. Good to know.

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

Go to restaurant websites and print out their gluten-free menus/suggestions. Put them in a folder that has clear pages that you can slide the papers into so that you have your own gluten-free menu book. Keep it in the car or with you so that you can refer to it. Outback has a good gluten-free menu and has curbside to go so if you have one near, you can call in your order and pick it up on the way home. Stick with those chains that are trained well and be clear in your ordering/instructions to avoid CC. Keep a stock of ready to eat stuff at home-canned soups, chili etc. Healthy Choice chicken and rice soup is gluten-free. Invest in some gear for portable lunches. You can buy a thermos and take things like the soup and chili to work for lunch. Consider home appliances that might help-an automatic rice cooker, a crockpot, a bread machine. There are grab and go options for breakfast-various fruit and nut or cereal type bars. What would you normally eat? Perhaps we can help you come up with similar doable options. There are really many more options available than it would seem at first!

Vlo1980 Rookie
Vlo1980
Posted
  • Author

No, I don't eat fast food at all and I'm actually a health nut. I weigh 107lbs and am in very good shape but it is hard to find the time and the energy to learn all this stuff because you have to check for ingredients and additives in everything you buy. It does suck.

Thank you all for your replies. :)

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

If you need suggestions for brands/products that are gluten-free don't be shy in asking. We've all been there at the beginning, overwhelmed with label reading/research and trying to digest alot of info. at once. Just be specific in what kinds of things you are looking for as we all have different tastes and there is really a wide variety of things available. Check company websites-click on FAQ's or Contact Us to find gluten-free status of products. Don't hesitate to call the 800 numbers on the packages. Many of us have even done it from our cell phones in the market-as long as it is normal business hours. Have you seen this link? Open Original Shared Link or this one? Open Original Shared Link

OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

Hi Vlo1980,

Can you take a few minutes to make a menu for yourself? Include three meals and two snacks for each day even if you never eat that much. Do the menu as if you are not gluten free and then modify it. If you would normally have a sandwich have a salad and few gluten free pretzels. If you would normally have a bowl of cereal have gluten free cereal. I never eat all of the stuff on my menu but I never run out half way through the work week either.

Relax, deep breath, stretch (lazy cat style), it gets easier!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


miles2go Contributor
miles2go
Posted

It sometimes seems like healthy food = whole wheat and its variations and that is always a bit of a hurdle. Breakfast was always the hardest thing for me. If you are used to eating whole grains, there are plenty and in ever-increasing shapes and ingredients. If you eat meat, it is easier, if not, it's entirely possible to do a vegan diet. The easiest thing is to shop the periphery of the grocery store, organic if possible and remember to read the labels of anything packaged. If you are truly a health nut, the 4 1/2 cups of veggies and fruits that you should be eating daily gives you a great start. :rolleyes: Cooking them lightly will help with digestion, if that's an issue. Give us some things you are used to eating...

Margaret

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

stick to naturally gluten free foods, and it's easier. "cooking" can take all of 15 minutes to chop veggies and meat and make a stirfry. and fruit, vegetables, meat, rice (gluten-free grains in general) are all naturally gluten free.

Ariauna Apprentice
Ariauna
Posted
stick to naturally gluten free foods, and it's easier. "cooking" can take all of 15 minutes to chop veggies and meat and make a stirfry. and fruit, vegetables, meat, rice (gluten-free grains in general) are all naturally gluten free.

Agreed 100% I too felt very overwhelmed and still do I am only 3 months into my gluten-free way of life but going through the attacks is not worth even one bite of gluten!! I have slowly started finding other gluten-free foods as well as learning to make my old recipes gluten-free. Do your best to relax and when you feel overwhelmed find a quiet place and try to relax through it and remember you are not alone!

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

This big change can feel overwhelming at first. But as a self described health nut, I would think you would be delighted to find another key to excellant health. For you, gluten is poison. It's going to ruin all that good health you've worked so hard to obtain.

Just go back to very basic food for at least a month until you have the hang of it. Then and only then branch out to new foods one at a time. That makes the diet not so overwhelming and doable even if you are busy.

What are you having the most trouble with? You've been given some good suggestions. If that information is incomplete, write back with new questions and we'll try to answer.

KimsHere Newbie
KimsHere
Posted

I was just told yesterday to start this diet and I already want coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. HA!! I love beer, pasta , pizza and all bakery things. I agree with you that this is gonna suck BUT...after feeling awful for the last 6 years and being in the middle of diagnosis for MS I'm thrilled to hear it could be gluten allergies instead of MS.

Sooooo...me and you could be friends and support each other in this new way of (not) eating...lol

When I started to feel overwhelmed I decided to begin with cutting out the known stuff. Like beer and bagels. And coffee!!!! I'm DYING for a coffee right now.....

I'm off to find out if potato chips are on the DO NOT EAT list. If they are, I will cry but just for a few minutes...lol

Kim :P

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted
I was just told yesterday to start this diet and I already want coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. HA!! I love beer, pasta , pizza and all bakery things. I agree with you that this is gonna suck BUT...after feeling awful for the last 6 years and being in the middle of diagnosis for MS I'm thrilled to hear it could be gluten allergies instead of MS.

Sooooo...me and you could be friends and support each other in this new way of (not) eating...lol

When I started to feel overwhelmed I decided to begin with cutting out the known stuff. Like beer and bagels. And coffee!!!! I'm DYING for a coffee right now.....

I'm off to find out if potato chips are on the DO NOT EAT list. If they are, I will cry but just for a few minutes...lol

Kim :P

Go check out the healthfood stores-there are several brands of gluten-free bagels out there, even some mainstream groceries carry them sometimes in the healthfood section or in a separate section of the frozen foods section. They are usually frozen. Plain old cream cheese should be fine. There are even gluten-free beers available. Tinkyada pasta is well liked by most people. Lays STAXX chips-all flavors are made on equipment that is dedicated to gluten-free only.

TiffLuvsBread Rookie
TiffLuvsBread
Posted
When I started to feel overwhelmed I decided to begin with cutting out the known stuff. Like beer and bagels. And coffee!!!! I'm DYING for a coffee right now.....

Wait, what's wrong with coffee.......... ?

OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

Flavored coffee can have gluten in it. My favorite replacement for mocha capp so far is

large black coffee

2 marshmellows

enjoylife chocolate chips to taste (I like lots!)

The marshmellows keep the chocolate from sinking to the bottom of the cup.

Puddy Explorer
Puddy
Posted

If you are looking for flavored coffees, all of Green Mountain's are gluten free.

OptimisticMom42 Apprentice
OptimisticMom42
Posted

Thank you :) My boss and I use to have Hazel Nut coffee when the guys have the day off (Fridays) but since this happened ...... I got glutened once and haven't sniffed Hazel Nut since :(

betsb90 Newbie
betsb90
Posted
I was just told yesterday to start this diet and I already want coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. HA!! I love beer, pasta , pizza and all bakery things. I agree with you that this is gonna suck BUT...after feeling awful for the last 6 years and being in the middle of diagnosis for MS I'm thrilled to hear it could be gluten allergies instead of MS.

Sooooo...me and you could be friends and support each other in this new way of (not) eating...lol

When I started to feel overwhelmed I decided to begin with cutting out the known stuff. Like beer and bagels. And coffee!!!! I'm DYING for a coffee right now.....

I'm off to find out if potato chips are on the DO NOT EAT list. If they are, I will cry but just for a few minutes...lol

Kim :P

I'm having such a hard time with this as well. I can't have yeast, gluten, rice, corn, or dairy. I want to eat all the time even when I'm not hungry just because I have cravings for foods I can't eat. and I work at a bakery. I'm relieved to know I'm on the right track to feeling better, but I feel so frustrated. I'm a college student who's always eaten pretty well, but now I'm scared to even go into the dining halls because I hate feeling like I'm not normal.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.