Trying Not To Get Discouraged

[Sarah B]

I was just recently dignosed with celiac's and am trying hard to figured it all out.

I am a college student who has to have a meal plan so its super frusterating trying to figure out what food might have sauce that has gluten. I have talked to the dining room people and they have been a little helpful but as I look at the options i can't help but think, I can't eat any of this.

Sorry that was just a little bit of a rant after not feeling good after lunch today.

Secondly

I have found that I don't like anything that gluten free. I love wheat and anything full of gluten. I'm not big on anything that has rice in it unless its not noticable. Is there anything that is a good substitute for wheat that actually taste good?

What about snacks. I know most lays chips are gluten free. But are some good cookie brands and protein bars that are good. I am spending so much money on things that I take a bit of and don't want to eat again.

Is there any hope?

Thanks

Sarah

[MomHeather]

Hi Sarah,

I know how difficult it is to change the way you eat. My son was just diagnosed with celiac and I am still learning how to feed him. I have the luxury of preparing our meals at home so I can control what goes in everything and it is still overwhelming. Hopefully you will hear from others with more experience and wisdom than I have.

We registered with the University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Cetner at Open Original Shared Link son's gastroenterologist told us about it. They send out sampler packages to newly diagnosed patients (you have to have had a biopsy). It came with a lot of different products for us to try and find out what my son likes without having to buy all the products, which is great since he's a picky two-year-old. It also had a great product guide to help us know what is gluten-free.

Good luck!

[Dixiebell]

Hi. Welcome. Sorry you are having a hard time. The gluten free replacements are going to be a little different. They have ingredients that you are not used to eating everyday. For snacks we have Lays classic, Kettle brand chips, Blue Diamond nut thins with pepperoni and cheese, marshmallows, freeze dried apple crisps, peanuts, cashews, jello, Cozy Shack pudding, apples and peanut butter, Snyder's has some gluten free pretzels, Chex has honey nut, cinnamon, chocolate flavors of their cereals, Santitas corn chips, fruit roll ups and popcorn. If you are craving a cookie, Pamala's mini chocolate chip are good as are Glutino oreo type cookies. Some of the Thai Kitchen soups are gluten free. Several Progresso soups are too. There are many mainstream foods that are gluten free. Most companies list ingredients or gluten free status on their web sites. Trust me, it will get easier for you. Just keep coming here for support and ask lots of questions.

[kareng]

Go to your schools Disabilty Office (not sure the exact name). They should help you get the meal plan to work better for you. You are paying for it and they have an obligation to give you safe food.

If your an 18 -19 year old student, your parents should be helping you raise a fuss. I know some of the chools around here listen better to the parents that they think are paying the bills.

[lucia]

I think that the gluten-free diet demands eating differently than a typical American diet. That means getting used to foods we probably didn't eat as kids. I recovered from fibromyalgia in my twenties partly through diet, and I had to get used to a whole different way of eating. My diet changed from cans of soup with high fructose corn syrup and greasy bacon to salads and tempeh. Now, I prefer those foods.

I'm sure that your version of the gluten-free diet will look different than mine, but it will likely include different grains than you are used to eating and more whole foods. It's not easy to change your diet, and even harder to change your food preferences, but you will find that eventually you will be at peace with your new diet.

I'd suggest trying some baby carrots instead of chips once in awhile.

[scarlett77]

I was just recently dignosed with celiac's and am trying hard to figured it all out.

I am a college student who has to have a meal plan so its super frusterating trying to figure out what food might have sauce that has gluten. I have talked to the dining room people and they have been a little helpful but as I look at the options i can't help but think, I can't eat any of this.

Sorry that was just a little bit of a rant after not feeling good after lunch today.

Secondly

I have found that I don't like anything that gluten free. I love wheat and anything full of gluten. I'm not big on anything that has rice in it unless its not noticable. Is there anything that is a good substitute for wheat that actually taste good?

What about snacks. I know most lays chips are gluten free. But are some good cookie brands and protein bars that are good. I am spending so much money on things that I take a bit of and don't want to eat again.

Is there any hope?

Thanks

Sarah

Dixiebell gave some good ones. Also Nature Valley came out with a new Gluten free "granola" bar which is basically all nuts and it is very yummy. I second the Pamela's mini chocolate chip cookies. I think they taste almost like Mother's. There aren't a whole lot of other cookies that I like that you can buy...to me they mostly taste too sweet or grainy. But the Pamela's are good. I prefer the Simply Asian rice noodle bowls because the noodles are thinner. Thai kitchen does have rice noodle "ramen" packages that use the thinner noodles too. The glutino crackers are not bad especially if you spread a soft cheese on them. Cheetos and fritos are also gluten-free. M&M's are gluten-free. Most fruit snacks like fruit by the foot are gluten-free. Also, this is pricey, but maybe you can make some sort of arrangement for it: Udi's bread. If you have a Whole Foods near you try to pick up a loaf there (or if you happen to be in Denver, CO you can just go to their local bakery.) I've also heard great things about Katz and Rudi's breads, but I haven't seen these in my area to try them. Udi's tastes almost EXACTLY like regular old sandwich bread. No need to toast it to make a sandwich...you can eat it straight out of the bag. Their bagels are pretty good too. Also some pizza places are starting to take notice of the gluten-free community and are offering gluten-free pizza so you make want to do a search of your area and see if you have something local. And also, not that you have access to an oven or anything, but Betty Crocker does have gluten-free cake, brownie, and cookie mixes that are pretty decent. Some of their frostings are gluten-free too.

[ksymonds84]

Hi Sarah, my Sarah was just diagnosed in August before heading off to her sophmore year at Boulder. She is pretty familiar with gluten free because of me but still had a lot to learn. Do you have a microwave or refrigerator in your dorm? If this is not allowed see the disability dept and they should give you special clearance to have these in your room. Anyway, my Sarah keeps on hand:

Spicy Doritoes (original nacho has wheat but others okay)

Cheetos

Act II butter lovers microwave popcorn

corn tortillas

hormel pepperoni (she microwaves these for 20 seconds and makes chips out of them!)

mission tortilla chips and pace salsa

lundberg rice cakes

jiffy peanut butter

kraft shredded cheese to make nachos with her doritoes and mission chips or quesos with her corn tortillas and little pizzas (she is in an apartment this year with an oven but maybe you will be allowed a toaster oven?)

kinickinic brand animal crackers (she says they are nice and buttery)

kinickinic waffles and log cabin syrup

string cheese

udi bread, bagels, and pizza crusts

prego spaghetti sauce

chex cinnamon is her favorite

I realize a lot of this will depend on if you are able to have a refrigerator with a little freezer section and microwave. She is lucky because Boulder is more with it for being gluten free and has gluten free options in their dining hall. Keep reading this forum especially the young adult threads and you will keep learning more and more with how to deal with being gluten intolerant. good luck!

[MelindaLee]

I was just recently dignosed with celiac's and am trying hard to figured it all out.

I am a college student who has to have a meal plan so its super frusterating trying to figure out what food might have sauce that has gluten. I have talked to the dining room people and they have been a little helpful but as I look at the options i can't help but think, I can't eat any of this.

Sorry that was just a little bit of a rant after not feeling good after lunch today.

Secondly

I have found that I don't like anything that gluten free. I love wheat and anything full of gluten. I'm not big on anything that has rice in it unless its not noticable. Is there anything that is a good substitute for wheat that actually taste good?

What about snacks. I know most lays chips are gluten free. But are some good cookie brands and protein bars that are good. I am spending so much money on things that I take a bit of and don't want to eat again.

Is there any hope?

Thanks

Sarah

All Yoplait yougurts I have found are gluten free. I found Kind bars, which taste really good, they are mostly nuts and fruit. I found Old Wisconsin sausage sticks that say gluten free right on the package. Hang in there...it will get easier! (I 2nd the idea to check with your disability office, they need to help you)

[SGWhiskers]

Last year, there were a series of threads about celiac students in your same situation. I think more than one student with a mandatory meal plan was able to get out of the meal plan. I think one had to go through quite a bit of effort and red tape. I think for another it was a bit easier. You will need a medical diagnosis, but if the food is not safe (and I question instutionalized food even with the best of intentions), then you medically need to get them to let you out of the dining and allow you to have access to a place to prepare your own safe food. I'll see if I can find some links for those discussions from last year. I also know there have been some others college students who are finding that with the increased Gluten Free awareness going on recently that their dining halls have safe options for them. Buffet tables of lettuce and rice are NOT safe option, nor are they enough to keep you well nourished for 9 months.

[sandsurfgirl]

It will get easier. There is a grieving process because it's hard to lose all those foods you love. You'll develop a taste for the gluten free stuff and you'll find great substitutes.

I love Glutino brand things. They are expensive but good. Their crackers are really good especially the plain ones. Kettle chips and kettle baked chips are gluten free. Glutino pretzels are really good.

Try snacking on healthy foods too. Grab an apple and some nuts. Fruits, veggies, protein are the best thing for you.

[Melissaann829]

I know exactly how you feel. I was just diagnosed with Celiac 11 days ago. I left the grocery store in tears. It is slowly getting easier. You will find things you can settle for... I was a BIG bread eater, so this is hard for me -- needless to mention my love for pizza. Its depressing. Uno's makes a gluten-free pizza, I hear. Also, think things with cheese is what works for me. I like corn tortillas with melted cheese. I like mac n cheese with rice noodles.

[jester]

Until you are accommodated by the disabilities office, you can make do in the dining hall, really! There should always be at least one piece of meat not doused in a sauce, and plenty of veggie sides not covered in sauces, too. Round things out with crouton-less salad and you should be okay (oil and vinegar as dressing is safe).

At breakfast, eggs and fruit are naturally gluten-free.

It sounds like going gluten-free will be a good opportunity to improve your eating habits all-around, not just replacing bad gluteny foods.

[Sarah B]

thank you guys so much. I have discovered the Udi's bread and it is pretty good. I found the k-too ( I think that what they are called) cookies that are very good. I do like the pretzels.

I've decided that I might write my dinning hall about getting better gluten free food. Even though he told me that there are plenty of options there really isn't, unless I want to eat pizza and a dry salad every time(I'm thinking of bringing my own french dressing since I found some that are gluten free). He told me that I could eat anything from our main line as long as i asked for it with out the sauce...which would make it not very good since its really not great to begin with. We also have this burger and grilled chicken place that I was told to ask for gluten free bread so I did. They gave me half frozen bread that crumbled as you bit into it and crumbled in your mouth. It acutally broken in half when i tried to bite into it. I know there has to be something better.

As for being officially dignosed with celiacs. I had my blood drawn before I came to school which can only tell if you have the gene right? SO that came back possitive so i have the gene for celiacs. I'm three hours from home and the closest gastroenterolgogist is an hour away. I was going to wait till christmas break to get tested but I don't want to wait to eat a gluten free diet till after i can get a scope thing done because i realizing how much gluten has really affected me. But even though I told him this, the guy was very willing to accomade me. So thats good.

Right now I just wish i could make my own food. I would feel so much better with no meal plan :-/

[Marilyn R]

Oh Sarah, I'm sending you hugs across the miles. I remember how tough it was to be a freshman in college living in the dorms, but that was long before this disease crept up on me. You poor thing!

You're tough and can stand up to this challenge. If you can tolerate gluten-free Peanut Butter, you can have that with apples or bananas or Udi's for breakfast, lunch and a snack. If the dorms allow a slow cooker, you can make some amazing things from cheap, small cuts of chicken or pork or lamb, or canned gluten-free beans. You could add stuff from the salad bar on your meal plan if you'd get it the night before. (onions, celery, carrots, spinach, raisins, beets, what else? Can you get plain potatos and/or rice from your cafeteria?

Good luck to you, and best wishes. I hope you keep us updated and that things go well for you.

[Sarah B]

Oh Sarah, I'm sending you hugs across the miles. I remember how tough it was to be a freshman in college living in the dorms, but that was long before this disease crept up on me. You poor thing!

You're tough and can stand up to this challenge. If you can tolerate gluten-free Peanut Butter, you can have that with apples or bananas or Udi's for breakfast, lunch and a snack. If the dorms allow a slow cooker, you can make some amazing things from cheap, small cuts of chicken or pork or lamb, or canned gluten-free beans. You could add stuff from the salad bar on your meal plan if you'd get it the night before. (onions, celery, carrots, spinach, raisins, beets, what else? Can you get plain potatos and/or rice from your cafeteria?

Good luck to you, and best wishes. I hope you keep us updated and that things go well for you.

I'm a senior in college right now, so I'm in a townhouse on campus. So I have a whole kitchen that i can do what ever I want with.

Yeah we can get both plain rice all the time and plain potatos sometimes.

I think this celiac crepted up on me my freshman year of college. I got really anemic and finally at the end of last year i was actually almost blacking out when I tried to play frisbee with friends. So this is my first year in the at school with a meal plan that I all the sudden have to watch what I eat.

Its funny because I've been telling people since highschool that food didn't agree with me and I never knew why. It just seemed like everything made me tired and have no enegry. Now that I know it's gluten, I'm thinking back to things that always made me feel sick and realized that it was because of the gluten in the food. I feel soooooo much better now, well when I eat gluten free foods lol.

Don't worry I'll keep you guys updated.