Scared To Eat!

[rachbomb]

I am new to all of this (dx Celiac, gluten-free for about 2 months) and it seems like I only get a few good days before I make a mistake and feel sick for a week. I recently discovered I can't have dairy either, which complicates it all. Overall I am much better but the bad days outnumber the good days still and I just want to cry. I feel like I am so diligent and my doctor is concerned that I am continuing to lose weight but I am so scared to eat because I am clearly getting glutened somewhere and I can only figure it out about half the time. Any advice for getting through these first months?

~Rachel

[Fire Fairy]

I am new to all of this (dx Celiac, gluten-free for about 2 months) and it seems like I only get a few good days before I make a mistake and feel sick for a week. I recently discovered I can't have dairy either, which complicates it all. Overall I am much better but the bad days outnumber the good days still and I just want to cry. I feel like I am so diligent and my doctor is concerned that I am continuing to lose weight but I am so scared to eat because I am clearly getting glutened somewhere and I can only figure it out about half the time. Any advice for getting through these first months?

~Rachel

I'm fairly new so I'll just give you a little advice. I'm sure some of the folks who have been here longer can be of more help. If you haven't already, get rid of wooden spoons and old plastic ware in your kitchen, also any scratched no-stick pans. Most folks on here recommend shopping the perimeter at the grocery store. You want to eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies. Quinoa is a good source of protein and easy to prepare.

[kwylee]

I had that scared to eat feeling when this all started too. Don't intend to do it over again, but if I had to, I'd:

1. Choose ONE food at a time to eat, then I added one additional food at regular intervals, e.g., every other day. (Yes, sounds extreme and very boring at first, but I wasn't very hungry in the first few weeks. The food choices grow exponentially and it was the only way I could gauge what was really happening from what I ingested)

2. At first, choose from only unprocessed foods, fresh meat and produce, olive oil, etc., no gluten-free goodies until you are feeling much better, and then add those sparingly.

3. Consider that soy is a culprit for me and many

4. Keep in mind that something you've ingested or done all your life may now give you problems. Every food, every lotion, every vitamin is now suspect.

5. Drink a lot of fresh water

6. Write down everything you eat and the time, write down symptoms and the time, include when you feel good and the time

This got me through the first weeks. I made a few mistakes but had I followed what is above from the start, it would have been easier for me. Hope it helps in all or part.

[Kimbalou]

It's hard in the beginning, but you will find out what foods work for your stomach and which ones don't. As for milk, try Almond Milk! I had a very easy time switching over to it...it's healthier for you too. It's in the section with all the other regular milk. They have different flavors too. Blue diamond or Silk...either one is good. Also try Muscle Milk, it's dairy free and gluten free. Tastes pretty good. There are many alternatives out there.

Another thing I do: make sandwiches out of corn tortillas. Gluten free bread is very expensive. Corn tortillas are cheap! I put ham and cheese on them, melt in microwave...add a little mayo, etc. Or tuna works too. You just have to look at eating in a different way...you will be fine...trust me!

[rachbomb]

Thank you - this forum has been a lifesaver for me and I really appreciate your responses! While I slowly added food for the first month or so, I started adding things much more quickly lately (because I was getting bored) but I'm sure that is the problem. I have also been basically living on Glutino gluten-free crackers but now realize those might be adding to the problem as well. I guess I will have to go back to my "safe" diet (rice, beans, chicken, beef, veggies, olive oil). Should I avoid corn up front as well (I'm a big fan of corn tortilla chips)? While boring eating is no fun, it has to be better than getting glutened all the time!

[Kimbalou]

Thank you - this forum has been a lifesaver for me and I really appreciate your responses! While I slowly added food for the first month or so, I started adding things much more quickly lately (because I was getting bored) but I'm sure that is the problem. I have also been basically living on Glutino gluten-free crackers but now realize those might be adding to the problem as well. I guess I will have to go back to my "safe" diet (rice, beans, chicken, beef, veggies, olive oil). Should I avoid corn up front as well (I'm a big fan of corn tortilla chips)? While boring eating is no fun, it has to be better than getting glutened all the time!

I can tolerate corn tortillas and chips just fine. Regular, whole kernel corn is sometimes an issue. Generally, corn should be ok. You can get pretty creative with corn tortillas! They are quick and easy to deal with too.

[Kimbalou]

just make sure you read the label on the tortillas...some corn tortillas actually contain flour...weird huh?

[rachbomb]

Weird - thanks for the info on corn tortillas.

As for cleaning out my kitchen, I've been wondering how far to take it. My husband is being supportive but isn't going to go 100% gluten-free (he isn't a big fan of gluten-free chips and he loves his protein shakes). I cleaned out the pantry and gave him one shelf. We replaced the pans we use most often but I know there is more we can and maybe should do.

[kwylee]

Also on those tortilla chips, I can't eat most of them because of the demon soy!!! But FRONTERA makes tortilla chips without soybean oil and I tolerate them just fine. But keep in mind, may be the corn for you; corn gives many people problems.

[rachbomb]

Also on those tortilla chips, I can't eat most of them because of the demon soy!!! But FRONTERA makes tortilla chips without soybean oil and I tolerate them just fine. But keep in mind, may be the corn for you; corn gives many people problems.

I didn't even think about soy being in chips - ARG, so much to learn! Maybe I will stick to no processed food until I feel good for a week and then I will try to add corn as my first new food so I get tortilla chips back - BUT only ones without soy.