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Newly Diagnosed & Re-Learning To Eat

Celiac-GRRRL

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Celiac-GRRRL Newbie
Celiac-GRRRL
Posted

Hey all...i just diagnosed with Celiac Disease on June 3rd. I have been reading and researching & looking online...hearing opinions and reading intimidating recipes with intimidating ingredients. As a non-cooking-can-barely boil water girl i feel like a toddler taking it's first steps and learning and re-learning everything. The world looks so big from down here! haha There is so much information i dont know what to do other than dive in. And i have,,, i'm wondering if anyone else is in the pool? LOL

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GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hey all...i just diagnosed with Celiac Disease on June 3rd. I have been reading and researching & looking online...hearing opinions and reading intimidating recipes with intimidating ingredients. As a non-cooking-can-barely boil water girl i feel like a toddler taking it's first steps and learning and re-learning everything. The world looks so big from down here! haha There is so much information i dont know what to do other than dive in. And i have,,, i'm wondering if anyone else is in the pool? LOL

Welcome to the group! I think most of us felt kind of lost when we started on the gluten-free diet. There is a lot to learn about being gluten-free and celiac disease. And it does require changing your ideas about eating other things. like where it is safe to go out and eat.

It is not really that hard though once you get used to it. There is whole big pile of recipes in the baking and cooking section here. A real good way to start is to avoid all processed foods and stick with whole foods cooked from scratch. Meat and veggie and fruit work for most people. So dive on in and start getting your cooking skills going. They will pay you back well in the future. Not that you need to be a great chef at all, just basic cooking is all that's needed.

Here's a Tips thread that Corwyn started not long ago.

Your Top Two Pieces Of Advice for the newly diagnosed

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sreese68 Enthusiast
sreese68
Posted

I came late to learning to cook (started at 39). I still have a long way to go, but I'm MUCH better than I used to be! I recommend watching cooking shows. My favorite is America's Test Kitchen on PBS. They show you exactly what to do. You can rent their DVD's through Netflix or buy them and buy their books. I also subscribe to their web site www.cooksillustrated.com and get recipes, how to's, and equipment reviews from there. It's not a gluten-free cooking group, but many, many recipes are naturally gluten-free.

Another good one is Good Eats on Food Network. He shows the science and why's behind cooking as well as techniques and recipes. He also has a book or two.

And I HIGHLY recommend a really good digital meat thermometer. I was constantly overcooking meat and thus making it really dry. The first time I used a meat thermometer was the first time I made good chicken! I have one that I leave in large cuts of meat when cooking (it has a wire that goes from the probe that's stuck in the meat to the thermometer that's on the oven) and one that's like a thermometer on a stick that cannot be left in the oven. And if a recipe calls for brining meat before cooking, don't skip that step. It'll make your meal taste really good!

And if you can afford a few cooking classes, Whole Foods, Central Market, etc offer knife classes, fish classes, and others that don't involve gluten ingredients. Just bring your own cutting board.

So find yourself a few basic recipes like tacos or roasted chicken parts. Make them until comfortable. Then branch out with more ingredients or harder techniques. I had to start out learning what terms even meant ("brown" or "saute") before moving forward. It takes awhile, but it's worth it!!

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Celiac-GRRRL Newbie
Celiac-GRRRL
  • Author
Posted

Thank you for the information. That sounds like a very good place to start. Guess i need to learn to cook whenther i want to or not. Yeah processed foods was my lifestyle previously..unless someone cooked for me. Time to buck up i suppose. I want to saute some peppers and onions for a steak.... I will check out the sites you mentioned cos i have no clue! Thank you so much.= and wish me luck!

Caren

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  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to Fluka66's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
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      Waiting for urgent referral.

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    • trents
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By trents · Posted

      But if you have been off of wheat for a period of weeks/months leading up to the testing it will likely turn out to be negative for celiac disease, even if you actually have celiac disease. Given your symptoms when consuming gluten, we certainly understand your reluctance to undergo  the "gluten challenge" before testing but you need to understand that the testing may be a waste of time if you don't. What are you going to do if it is negative for celiac disease? Are you going to go back to merrily eating wheat/barley/rye products while living in pain and destroying your health? You will be in a conundrum. Do I or do I not? And you will likely have a difficult time being consistent with your diet. Celiac disease causes inflammation to the small bowel villous lining when gluten containing grains are consumed. This inflammation produces certain antibodies that can be detected in the blood after they reach a certain level, which takes weeks or months after the onset of the disease. If gluten is stopped or drastically reduced, the inflammation begins to decrease and so do the antibodies. Before long, their low levels are not detectable by testing and the antibody blood tests done for diagnosing celiac disease will be negative. Over time, this inflammation wears down the billions of microscopic, finger-like projections that make up the lining and form the nutrient absorbing layer of the small bowel where all the nutrition in our food is absorbed. As the villi bet worn down, vitamin and mineral deficiencies typically develop because absorption is compromised. An endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to microscopically examine this damage is usually the second stage of celiac disease diagnosis. However, when people cut out gluten or cut back on it significantly ahead of time before the biopsy is done, the villous lining has already experienced some healing and the microscopic examination may be negative or inconclusive. I'm not trying to tell you what to do I just want you to understand what the consequences of going gluten free ahead of testing are as far as test results go so that you will either not waste your time in having the tests done or will be prepared for negative test results and the impact that will have on your dietary decisions. And, who are these "consultants" you keep talking about and what are their qualifications? You are in the unenviable position that many who joint this forum have found themselves in. Namely, having begun a gluten free diet before getting a proper diagnosis but unwilling to enter into the gluten challenge for valid testing because of the severity of the symptoms it would cause them.
    • Zackery Brian
      Gluten and 30 other Items causing me Severe Muscle Inflamation Pain

      By Zackery Brian · Posted

      I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your health. Dealing with celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can indeed be overwhelming. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions based on your experience and the replies you've received: Confirming Diagnosis: It's great that your gastroenterologist confirmed your celiac disease diagnosis through additional tests. Understanding the specifics of your condition can help tailor your approach to managing it more effectively. Food Sensitivity Testing: While blood tests for food sensitivities can provide some insights, they may not always be completely accurate. As mentioned by others, false positives are common, and individual responses to specific foods can vary. Discussing your test results and symptoms with a healthcare professional knowledgeable about celiac disease and food sensitivities can help clarify your situation. Research and Education: Exploring conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance could shed further light on your symptoms and provide additional avenues for managing your health. Gathering information from reliable sources and discussing your findings with your healthcare team can help you make informed decisions about your care. Dietary Management: Managing celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can be challenging, but finding a balance that works for you is crucial. Working with a dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and food intolerances can help you develop a personalized dietary plan that meets your nutritional needs while minimizing symptoms. Stress Management: Chronic pain and health issues can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being. Finding healthy coping strategies to manage stress, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or engaging in activities you enjoy, may help improve your overall quality of life. Remember, you're not alone in your journey, and seeking support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or online communities can provide valuable encouragement and guidance.
    • Fluka66
      Waiting for urgent referral.

      By Fluka66 · Posted

      Thank you very much for your reply. I hadn't heard of celiac disease but began to notice a pattern of pain. I've been on the floor more than once with agonising pain but this was always put down to another abdominal problem consequently I've been on a roundabout of backwards and forwards with another consultant for many years. I originally questioned this diagnosis but was assured it was the reason for my pain. Many years later the consultant gave up and I had a new GP. I started to cut out certain food types ,reading packets then really started to cut out wheat and went lactose free. After a month I reintroduced these in one meal and ended screaming in agony the tearing and bloating pain. With this info and a swollen lymph node in my neck I went back to the GP.  I have a referral now . I have also found out that acidic food is causing the terrible pain . My thoughts are this is irritating any ulcers. I'm hoping that after a decade the outlook isn't all bad. My blood test came back with a high marker but I didn't catch what it was. My GP and I have agreed that I won't go back on wheat just for the test due to the pain , my swollen lymph node and blood test results.  Trying to remain calm for the referral and perhaps needed to be more forceful all those years ago but I'm not assertive and consultants can be overwhelming. Many thanks for your reply . Wishing you all the best.
    • Moodiefoodie
      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      By Moodiefoodie · Posted

      Wow! Fascinating info. Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance. @Spacepanther Over the years I have had rheumatologists do full lab work ups on me. They told me they had screened me for arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease (all negative). In addition to joint pain and stiffness I had swelling in both knees that later moved to my elbow as well.  I also experience stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulders when it flares. I vomited fairly often growing up, but there wasn’t a real pattern to it and I didn’t know it wasn’t normal (thought people caught stomach viruses often).  I don’t usually have stomach symptoms immediately after eating gluten that I notice.  The only other joint condition I know of is fibromyalgia. Good luck! Hope you can get it figured out. I only assumed my joint symptoms were due to the celiac’s because it is under control for the most part on a gluten-free diet.  The rheumatologist also mentioned that some inflammatory/autoimmune diseases can be slow-moving and not detectable until they progress.
    • knitty kitty
      Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Spacepanther, I found these articles about the connection between Celiac and joint pain. Musculoskeletal Complications of Celiac Disease: A Case-Based Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201087/ And   Intestinal microbiome composition and its relation to joint pain and inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6814863/ And The gut microbiome-joint connection: implications in osteoarthritis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6903327/ Sounds like it's time to change the diet to change the microbiome.
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