Overwhelmed

[lexusca]

So I was daignosed with ciliac yesterday went through my cupboards today. Did groceries and am now totally overwhelmed. Did anyone else have a really hardtime just wrapping their head around needing to change the way they think and eat or is it just me. Funny thing is I am a chef, I have cooked several ciliac fiendly meals as well as had ot learn about food intolerances. Now that I am actually dealing with it, it seems kinda foreign. Any suggestions?

[love2travel]

So I was daignosed with ciliac yesterday went through my cupboards today. Did groceries and am now totally overwhelmed. Did anyone else have a really hardtime just wrapping their head around needing to change the way they think and eat or is it just me. Funny thing is I am a chef, I have cooked several ciliac fiendly meals as well as had ot learn about food intolerances. Now that I am actually dealing with it, it seems kinda foreign. Any suggestions?

I was diagnosed nearly two weeks ago and was stunned at the diagnosis. Anyway, I went through my pantry and took some stuff to the Food Bank. Then I came home, stood in front of the pantry, and began to panic. It was quite pathetic. I had been off gluten for five months before my gluten challenge and I was used to it then but to be told definitively is hard to take (especially considering I have no GI problems, anemia, etc. so do not feel better off gluten).

But now that some time has passed I feel much better about things. I'm not a chef like you but I do teach cooking classes and am meeting with someone to do gluten-free classes as well as discussing my providing baked goods for sale at their store. It's funny how things work out - I was in a panic just a short time ago but now I realize my calling. Believe me, I have been struggling and grieving with what I cannot have but now my focus is on all the intriguing flours and starches out there (I am fooling around with 15 right now). The science behind them is interesting. Today I made some incredibly yummy orange bourbon cupcakes with orange buttercream. I've made good gluten-free bread and tomorrow am making fresh pasta. This weekend I am making pizza.

Another suggestion I have is not to stock up on gluten-free snacks but just focus on real food. You'll likely be disappointed. I was shocked and dismayed at the first gluten-free bought bread, crackers, cookies etc. I had months ago and don't want to go there. So, my plan is to do all my own baking including flatbreads, tortilla shells and so on.

In two weeks I feel gratified in accomplishing rather a lot as far as cooking/baking goes and dealing with the whole thing. What I will no doubt find the most difficult is traveling and eating out as the cross contamination issue really bothers me. My husband and I travel to Europe regularly and that can be really tricky, including the terrible gluten-free foods on flights and so on.

It is so cliche but it is so true - it will get better. Seriously. I am about as "foodie" as you can possibly get - anything culinary is my passion/obsession. Think "Alinea", "French Laundry", "Fat Duck" and such. So, you can and will do it, too. At first I was too saddened to even look at my vast library of hundreds and hundreds of cookbooks but now I am going to try to convert those baking recipes to gluten-free.

Really, I wish you the best in this journey!

BTW, the only gluten-free bought bread I would recommend is Udi's. It truly is fairly good! All the others I've tried have been just awful.

[jeanne-]

Hi,

Don't make the mistake that you can go totally gluten free over night. It is a learning process. Hit the main points right now. Clear out your cupboards of obvious glutens. Then you can search for hidden gluten, revamp your kitchen with safe utensils and cookware, investigate safe shampoos, etc. Read some of the older posts and people can tell some of the safe brands of foods and toiletries to use. That helps decrease some anxiety. Don't worry, you'll get there. Take care.

[lexusca]

ty all I am looking forward to expiramenting with recipes, God know it will be a process but worth it.

[RahCreature]

Hi,

Don't make the mistake that you can go totally gluten free over night. It is a learning process. Hit the main points right now. Clear out your cupboards of obvious glutens. Then you can search for hidden gluten, revamp your kitchen with safe utensils and cookware, investigate safe shampoos, etc. Read some of the older posts and people can tell some of the safe brands of foods and toiletries to use. That helps decrease some anxiety. Don't worry, you'll get there. Take care.

I have to disagree here you have to stop gluten intake all at once it is better for you. now accepting and understanding is a new game. I have been Dx for a year and I still have issues I work with someone who has had it for 8-9 years and she was telling me she still has issues. Living the life and mentally handling it are 2 different things it is tough but it becomes a lifestyle. the cravings do not wane but you will find ways to scratch that itch. Best of luck and please for your own health do not wean just drop gluten totally it sucks I know but you will feel SO much better

[mamaw]

Being gluten-free is a learning process that will take time in learning but you need to go gluten-free totally like STOP all at once. The learning process will not happen overnight, I've been gluten-free for years & I learn something new everyday...New products , new research & so on ,its an ongoing process.

It is very natural to mourn your loss, the process can be like the loss of a loved one.You may feel sadness,depression, anger,fear, denial, but hope comes along & the picture becomes brighter & so will your health. Everything you learned as a child about food is now taken away from you & you must re- train your thinking pattern.This can be very over whelming at the beginning.

Take your time with learning, start with things you know like plain (naked) foods ie: meat, fish,chicken, veggies, fruits. Add your own seasonings McCormick's clearly labels. Then move on to another step ie; grocery shopping knowing the mainstream products that will not cost anymore than gluten ones, stock your pantry, find where if any places in your area where you can get good gluten-free supplies or will you join many of us in mailorder or become a road warrior for gluten-free !!!!!! This is what will take time....

You are a chef already so you have a better head start than most.It is different when you are doing for someone else rather than yourself.....but remember you are special too ...

People do get very over whelmed when they try to learn everything in a day- then cheating & mistakes happen.

And Please don't ever cheat if you do you, you tell yourself its okay to do it over & over & you have lost your battle & willpower. Health will go down the tubes...

Being gluten-free is an easy fix or an illness,much better than chemo, nasty drugs, lengthy surgeries. You will do just fine ....

blessings

mamaw

[lexusca]

tks for the encouragement