Was Just Diagnosed...advice Needed

[hazeleyez682]

Hello all!

I recieved my test results yesterday and I came back positive for celiacs. For about a year i have been having digestion issues, skin issues,weight loss,and fatigue. Now i know why, but what's next. What is the best way to convert to guten free? It seems impossible i have been reading and its not just breads and such it effects everything IE the olives in my fridge that contain guar gum. I am totally overwhelmed! HELP!

[momxyz]

start simply!

Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, chicken, pork, fish, beef all are inherently gluten free. So for dinner, a serving of meat or fish, vegetables of your choice, and some rice. Very satisfying and easy too.

I usually take the lefovers to work for lunch.

Breakfast could be eggs and fruit.

It does take a while to understand the ingredients and labeling so I found it easier to stick to freshly prepared food at home until I started getting the hang of things.

[hazeleyez682]

start simply!

Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, chicken, pork, fish, beef all are inherently gluten free. So for dinner, a serving of meat or fish, vegetables of your choice, and some rice. Very satisfying and easy too.

I usually take the lefovers to work for lunch.

Breakfast could be eggs and fruit.

It does take a while to understand the ingredients and labeling so I found it easier to stick to freshly prepared food at home until I started getting the hang of things.

[GottaSki]

Hello all!

I recieved my test results yesterday and I came back positive for celiacs. For about a year i have been having digestion issues, skin issues,weight loss,and fatigue. Now i know why, but what's next. What is the best way to convert to guten free? It seems impossible i have been reading and its not just breads and such it effects everything IE the olives in my fridge that contain guar gum. I am totally overwhelmed! HELP!

Welcome!

The good news is many, many things are gluten-free. We have successfully replaced or replicated all of our favorites.

As mentioned simple is best (meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, rice, potatoes) until you get the hang of reading labels...which can be frustrating at first...but will become easier with time.

Besides the many gluten-free shopping lists to be found here, in books and other websites, the easiest thing for me when we were converting was to google or search this site...on google I'd put the product or ingredient name plus gluten -- most times it brings you directly to posts on celiac.com with plenty of info. If that doesn't work you can call or email the manufacturer -- we've found calling gets the answer quicker, but email works well too.

Will your kitchen be completely gluten-free? If so, start with clearing out the gluten items and wash well or replace items such as colander, cutting board, cooking utensils, etc. Replace your toaster or use a toaster oven by lining your food with foil. If sharing your kitchen with gluten, make sure you learn how to avoid cross-contamination issues...

Continue to ask questions...I found a lot of answers here and you will too.

Oh...guar gum is gluten free...so if there are no other ingredients with gluten your olives should be fine.

Good Luck!

[Wolicki]

I agree with simple! STay away from the processed gluten-free stuff for a while to give your instestines a chance to heal. Simple, natural foods will also prevent some of the secondary food intolerances many of us develop, IMHO. I would also reccomend a good probiotic and enzymes to help you digest better. Stay away from processed foods and foods that wer not a typical part of your diet before going gluten-free.

These are the things I wish I knew when I started. Hope it helps!

[hazeleyez682]

Welcome!

The good news is many, many things are gluten-free. We have successfully replaced or replicated all of our favorites.

As mentioned simple is best (meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, rice, potatoes) until you get the hang of reading labels...which can be frustrating at first...but will become easier with time.

Besides the many gluten-free shopping lists to be found here, in books and other websites, the easiest thing for me when we were converting was to google or search this site...on google I'd put the product or ingredient name plus gluten -- most times it brings you directly to posts on celiac.com with plenty of info. If that doesn't work you can call or email the manufacturer -- we've found calling gets the answer quicker, but email works well too.

Will your kitchen be completely gluten-free? If so, start with clearing out the gluten items and wash well or replace items such as colander, cutting board, cooking utensils, etc. Replace your toaster or use a toaster oven by lining your food with foil. If sharing your kitchen with gluten, make sure you learn how to avoid cross-contamination issues...

Continue to ask questions...I found a lot of answers here and you will too.

Oh...guar gum is gluten free...so if there are no other ingredients with gluten your olives should be fine.

Good Luck!

[hazeleyez682]

Thank you very much this all is helpful.

I share my kitchen with my boyfriend and he has decided he will also go gluten free although he does not need to to support me and make my transition easier. I washed and sterelized all kitchen utensils and pans today. Also i will buy a new toaster. I will begin as suggested with fresh foods. But have found several stores such as whole foods, trader joes, and stop and shop that carry gluten free items. I dont know any others that have celiacs so i believe this site will soon become my link to others like me. Ill keep everyone posted with my progress.

[momxyz]

Thank you very much this all is helpful.

I share my kitchen with my boyfriend and he has decided he will also go gluten free although he does not need to to support me and make my transition easier. I washed and sterelized all kitchen utensils and pans today. Also i will buy a new toaster. I will begin as suggested with fresh foods. But have found several stores such as whole foods, trader joes, and stop and shop that carry gluten free items. I dont know any others that have celiacs so i believe this site will soon become my link to others like me. Ill keep everyone posted with my progress.

The first "prepared" gluten free food I bought was a breakfast cereal, mostly for my daughter, who was used to eating special Kay. It was made from brown rice, and it was OK, and she ate it enthuiastically at first. But we never ended up finishing the box. She ended up converting her breakfasts to puffed rice cakes and some fruit - usually a banana. I usually do yogurt and fruit. (eggs on weekends). But I still miss oatmeal and my mission is to find some that is prepared in a dedicated facility. While oats are gluten free, they are commonly processed in facilities where other glutenous grains are handled, so cross contamination is of concern.

There are two prepared foods that I would suggest to you because they are simple replacements and we really have enjoyed them.

Brown rice pasta is the first. We buy Tinkayada brand, but there are others out there. (and there is corn based pasta too). My husband does not have to eat gluten free, and he is a good Italian to boot, but he likes this pasta better than what we were cooking before. So that's all we have in the house! (We just bought a bulk order of 10 lbs from a food coop - we have our firewood, we just bought oil and we have good pasta - all set for the winter! )

The other item is a gluten free pizza crust mix. We like Namaste brand; there are others. Again, this is another product my husband honestly enjoys, and my daughter also has "converted" her boyfriend too. As a teenager still in highschool, this was huge for her - not being able to eat pizza with friends? Now we always have a mix in the cupboard for her to prepare and share with her buds.

[hazeleyez682]

I agree with simple! STay away from the processed gluten-free stuff for a while to give your instestines a chance to heal. Simple, natural foods will also prevent some of the secondary food intolerances many of us develop, IMHO. I would also reccomend a good probiotic and enzymes to help you digest better. Stay away from processed foods and foods that wer not a typical part of your diet before going gluten-free.

These are the things I wish I knew when I started. Hope it helps!

[hazeleyez682]

I agree with simple! STay away from the processed gluten-free stuff for a while to give your instestines a chance to heal. Simple, natural foods will also prevent some of the secondary food intolerances many of us develop, IMHO. I would also reccomend a good probiotic and enzymes to help you digest better. Stay away from processed foods and foods that wer not a typical part of your diet before going gluten-free.

These are the things I wish I knew when I started. Hope it helps!

[hazeleyez682]

I agree with simple! STay away from the processed gluten-free stuff for a while to give your instestines a chance to heal. Simple, natural foods will also prevent some of the secondary food intolerances many of us develop, IMHO. I would also reccomend a good probiotic and enzymes to help you digest better. Stay away from processed foods and foods that wer not a typical part of your diet before going gluten-free.

These are the things I wish I knew when I started. Hope it helps!

What is IMHO?

Another question in my reading i have comne across information about a comprimised immune system. This concerns me with the flu going around. I am a teacher also...should i get vaccinated???

[Wolicki]

What is IMHO?

Anher question in my reading i have comne across information about a comprimised immune system. This concerns me with the flu going around. I am a teacher also...should i get vaccinated???

Sorry about that. It's short for "in my humble opinion."

The flu things i very controversial. I personally always get a flu shot because otherwise I get very very ill and end up hospitalized if I get it. Others here have very different opinions>