Newly Diagnosed

[trk1980]

Today I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. I was informed that I would have to meet with a dietician and go on a gluten free diet for 3 months. the nurse I spoke with pretty much left it at that leaving me wondering. Do I only have to be gluten free for 3 months? What happens after the 3 months. She barely described the disease at all and what risks are involved with eating foods containing gluten. Is there anyone out there that can help me kick start or give me pointers on the new lifestyle I will be living?

[Dixiebell]

Hi! Welcome to the forum!

How did they diagnose you, blood tests, biopsy or both?

You will need to eat gluten free forever. I don't know why she would tell you three months.

Read everything you can and hang around here, ask lots questions, you will learn a lot.

[Lisa]

Welcome to the Club trk!

Unfortunately, it's a life long commitment. But, after you get over the initial shock, it gets so much easier. And we are here to help young along this new road you travel.

Everyone is welcome. There are no stupid questions, because everyone here has been in your shoes. Please ask away. This is the best source you can find and good people who will guide you along your road.

[trk1980]

Thank you for your input. I had both a blood test and biopsy to diagnose me. I have known now for almost a week and I can't seem to get myself to not eat gluten. It's almost like I have to eat my favorite foods one more time before I can call it quits...I purchased a few cookbooks and a dining out guide along with a grocery shopping guide...hopefully this will help in grocery shopping. I was in our local store for over an hour reading labels and I was so overwhelmed I just ended up leaving with nothing. Pizza and pasta are my favorites. Do you have any suggestions on what brands we can eat and still have it be satisfying? I am really glad I found this website...at least I can talk to people who know what I'm going through...everyone around me just doesn't get the disease

[mushroom]

Well, you are in luck Tinkyada makes some wonderful gluten free pastas and, depending on where you live, many many pizza joints are now offering gluten free pizza. So no need to be deprived.

Yes, the first trip to the grocery store often has that kind of effect - it just all suddenly seems so overwhelming, many posters have reporting running out in tears So if you didn't do that you are a step ahead. So what you do do is tackle it in small (gluten free) bites

That is to say, that you avoid anything which might have gluten in it at first, and just shop the outsides of the supermarket where all the fresh meat, fish, veggies and fruits are, and usually also dairy, although you may want to eliminate at least milk, cream, and ice cream at first - anything with lactose is normally hard for a new celiac to digest untill healing has taken place. You may be okay with yogurt and hard cheeses. Anyway, we were talking about eating fresh, whole foods you prepare yourself from scratch, so you know what is going in them. You will need a gluten free flour mix and it seems most people start out with Pamela's because it's easy and it's ubiquitous That way if you want to make a gravy you have a flour mix, if your kids are dying for a cookie, you can bake cookies, if you absolutely must have a waffle, you can make a waffle. You will no doubt already have rice in your house, but you will need to venture into the gluten free section of your grocery store, or into a health food store, to find Tinkyada pasta, and some bread - most people seem to love Udi's and more and more places are carrying it. Whole Foods carries both these products. If you are not doing butter you will need a substitute, and you can buy milk substitutes like almond, hemp, soy - if you do soy! or rice milk, but some rice milks have traces of barley enzymes in them so best not at first.

So now, with a fresh jar of peanut butter and fresh spreads that do not have breadcrumbs in them, you are all set. And then gradually, as you heal, spread your wings a little farther and experiment with other things. But any time you buy a product that has an ingredients list, READ IT!! And read all of it. Because sometimes right at the bottom in small print it says "may contain traces of gluten".

Now you can sally forth confidently, prepare delicious gluten free meals for your family and not have to worry about what might be in that can of baked beans (that is, until you are ready to read the labels of baked bean cans )

[salexander421]

I'm assuming they told you 3 months just to make sure you respond to a gluten free diet. But as others have already said, it is a lifelong way of eating.

[CeliacMom2008]

When you're up for it, here is amazing pizza. It's really very easy to do - my 11 year old can make it. You just have to have the ingredients on hand. I make it every weekend for our pizza and movie night.

PIZZA CRUST

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbs dry yeast

1/2 tsp of sugar

2/3 cup of warm water

2/3 cups of brown rice flour

1/2 cup of tapioca flour

2 Tbs of dried milk powder

2 tsp of xanthan gum

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp of unflavored gelatin powder (we use Knox gelatin)

1 tsp of Italian seasoning (I use McCormick)

1 tsp of olive oil

1 tsp of apple cider vinegar

METHOD:

Pre-heat oven to 425F

Mix sugar, yeast, and warm water and set aside.

Combine dry ingredients in medium sized bowl.

When yeast mixture is frothy (takes about 5-10 minutes), add it and the apple cider vinegar and the olive oil to the dry ingredients. (I double the recipe, and for this part I use a 2 cup glass measuring cup to mix the sugar, water, and yeast, when the mixture has frothed up to the top of the glass I know it

[CeliacMom2008]

Oh, and we like Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta and Tinkyada. Your two favorites (pizza and pasta) are actually two really easy things to do gluten free!

[trk1980]

thank you all for your help. Yesterday I received the Triumph dining out guide and the Triumph grocery shopping guide and they both look like they will be very helpful