Brand New To This And Wonder What Your Advice To Me Is

[slee10018]

Hello,

Happy to find this forum. I'm sure I'll be here a lot...I believe that there is much to learn from people who have been navigating the waters for awhile. I've had Celiac, undiagnosed, for at least 15 yrs, and possibly since college (I'm 45). The stress of moving to NYC and working in the .com world at it's height just did me in. Thankfully, overall good genes have kept me out of the hospital, but it's been a long life of people thinking (and saying) that I was a hypochondriac and that these very real symptoms were "in my head." So I am extremely positive about the diagnosis 3 days ago (after a day of tearful freak-outs!)

I will have to be gluten, dairy, vinegar, sugar and alcohol free (maybe for life). So this sugar, carb, wine lover is going to be a bit lost for awhile.

I thought this would be a good place to put the question out there: what has been your most valuable resource? I love the online world, but it can put a lot of misinformation out there, and with a 5 yr old running around my feet, I've got no time to waste wading through the muck.

Any guidance and encouragement helpful. So many changes to make! Need to get my old self back and make beautiful things again!

Thanks in advance, Suzanne

[mushroom]

Hi Suzanne, and welcome to our world. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first so take it in easy steps. One of the easiest is to go here https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/safe-gluten-free-food-list-safe-ingredients-r181/ and print out this list. While you're in celiac.com, read, read, read, all the other categories there. This will give you a pretty good foundation from which to start branching out.

The recipes on the forum are great, and there are several gluten free bloggers - my favourite is The Gluten Free Goddess - they have some really fabulous recipes, but for first starting out I would buy some Pamela's Baking mix, from which you can make cookies, pancakes,waffles, etc. This will get you used to how gluten free flours behave (which is totally different from how gluten behaves). Then you can start experimenting with other mixes and find out which flours you like the taste of and which you don't.

You must deglutenize your house, buy a new toaster, colander, wooden cutting boards and tools, replace scratched nonstick cookware. Check your personal care products for gluten, especially lip gloss and chapstick, toothpaste, hand lotion, etc. Be careful of scrips and OTC meds because many contain gluten and sometimes you have to call the company to find out Always wash your hands before touching your food, do not eat anything that has touched gluten, do not kiss a glutenid until teeth have been brushed

There, that is a short list to get you started.

[loneferret]

Sorry to hear it,

I was hit with the news only a week ago, and like you I've probably had it most of my life. The best thing I can tell you right now, is research research and more research. Depending on how sensitive you are to gluten, I would suggest (remember this is just me, others may not agree) going off the gluten foods gradually. I've been off the good stuff for a week now, and I'm going bonkers. So what I'm saying is try to avoid depression.

Check out the site, there's a list of what's good and not. And ask questions. Talk to a dietician and try to avoid the obvious...bread and pasta.

Good luck,

[slee10018]

Thanks! That is very helpful. Scary, but helpful. Our house is out of control on the carbs...so how I'm going to do this without cross contamination is beyond me. Sigh. But good to know...(probably have gluten on my lips right now!). Many thanks, and you'll hear from me soon enough...

[slee10018]

going off the gluten foods gradually.

wow. did not know that. Dr. was advising cold turkey because I'm not sensitive, I'm full on allergic. Gee, that might have something to do with the giant fight husband and I got into last night.....Well, when you've lived with someone who has basically called you a hypochondriac for 13 yrs, it's bound to happen, huh?

[loneferret]

Well the doc that gave me the news not long ago told me many of his patients suffer from various degrees of depression when going cold turkey...

But everyone is different and unique.

Getting a second toaster is a good start. Get rid of the obvious cross contamination... toaster or toaster-oven, cutting board, that pot of peanut butter with bread crumbs all around the rim. You get the picture.

Good luck

[organicmama]

Last time I checked, the Pamela's baking mix had buttermilk powder in it, so make sure to check the label yourself. It is fabulous, better than wheat-based pancakes for us, and I miss it.

[slee10018]

Last time I checked, the Pamela's baking mix had buttermilk powder in it, so make sure to check the label yourself. It is fabulous, better than wheat-based pancakes for us, and I miss it.

Well, if I go with doctor's advice, I am not even to have any sugar (or sweet stuff, maple syrup et al) for awhile, if ever. Went so long that I developed other sensitivities and have yeast overgrowth. So while the baked goods sound glorious, my guess is I'd be better served by going Paleo for awhile. But yes, I am fighting the cold turkey thing. Haven't given up coffee with a bit of non-dairy creamer in it yet. But hey, it's day 3.

[psawyer]

I have no idea why sugar would be an issue.

Some of us (not including me) have issues with corn and/or fructose, and so must avoid things sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup. Fortunately, the trend towards HFCS is reversing, and many manufacturers are putting sugar back in their recipes.

[mushroom]

Went so long that I developed other sensitivities and have yeast overgrowth. So while the baked goods sound glorious, my guess is I'd be better served by going Paleo for awhile. But yes, I am fighting the cold turkey thing. Haven't given up coffee with a bit of non-dairy creamer in it yet. But hey, it's day 3.

If you hang with the cold turkey, he should go away in a couple of weeks. Yes, the sugars do feed the little yeastie beasties - they luv it. Are you taking anything to help get rid of them besides just trying to starve them? They will latch on to any starch so paleo sounds good. It makes gluten free eating easier if you just have meat, rice, vegetables and fruits which are naturally gluten free

Hang in there, this is doable, although it IS more difficult in a mixed household. I could not tell from your first post that you would be sharing, which makes cross-contamination more of an issue because it requires cooperation from 'he who called you a hypochondriac' You will have to stake out gluten free areas in your pantry and fridge (preferably upper shelves so gluten does not fall on them) and on your counter, or always put your food on a paper towel or plate. or on foil if cooking (e.g. on the barbecue).

[slee10018]

I have no idea why sugar would be an issue.

Some of us (not including me) have issues with corn and/or fructose, and so must avoid things sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup. Fortunately, the trend towards HFCS is reversing, and many manufacturers are putting sugar back in their recipes.

not because of celiac, per say. I have likely had this, in varying degrees of aggravation, most of my life. At 45, to just find out, this means that a host of other chronic problems have cropped up as a result (yeast is a problem, dairy is a problem, thyroid is shot, and more).

so the sugar thing, for me, is related to also approaching the yeast problem.

most likely i will not feel any overnight benefits from gluten-free diet, as there are other things going on.

[cahill]

not because of celiac, per say. I have likely had this, in varying degrees of aggravation, most of my life. At 45, to just find out, this means that a host of other chronic problems have cropped up as a result (yeast is a problem, dairy is a problem, thyroid is shot, and more).

so the sugar thing, for me, is related to also approaching the yeast problem.

most likely i will not feel any overnight benefits from gluten-free diet, as there are other things going on.

if you are having issues with your thyroid you may what to consider going soy free also. Soy is in quite a few processed foods including some breads, canned tuna, mayo and dressings (soy bean oil)to mention just a few.

Going paleo can be very beneficial for some of us ( my self included)

My gut has healed a bit so I have been able to add back some foods but gluten and soy are out of my diet permanently .

[stellinpa]

Well, if I go with doctor's advice, I am not even to have any sugar (or sweet stuff, maple syrup et al) for awhile, if ever. Went so long that I developed other sensitivities and have yeast overgrowth. So while the baked goods sound glorious, my guess is I'd be better served by going Paleo for awhile. But yes, I am fighting the cold turkey thing. Haven't given up coffee with a bit of non-dairy creamer in it yet. But hey, it's day 3.

I use Almond Milk in my coffee. I like it better than milk.

[Brooksbelle]

Only on gluten-free week 3 here so I'm soaking up the good info in this thread (and on the rest of the forum) too. All I can say is that I'm feeling so much better that I don't care how restricted/difficult this diet may be; I can't imagine ever eating gluten again on purpose! I could happily live on applesauce, Larabars, and almonds if that's what it took.

Seriously, I can't believe how sick I was and how it had become my "normal." My new body feels like it's being recreated from the inside out.

[TamRae]

Only on gluten-free week 3 here so I'm soaking up the good info in this thread (and on the rest of the forum) too. All I can say is that I'm feeling so much better that I don't care how restricted/difficult this diet may be; I can't imagine ever eating gluten again on purpose! I could happily live on applesauce, Larabars, and almonds if that's what it took.

Seriously, I can't believe how sick I was and how it had become my "normal." My new body feels like it's being recreated from the inside out.

I am newly diagnosed as well so I am gleening information from this post right along with you. Brooksbelle, I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better after just three weeks; I should be coming along soon too.

I can't imagine ever eating gluten on purpose again either, I just want to feel better too.

Thanks everyone for sharing your wisdom and experience.

[thleensd]

Eat clean. Fresh veggies, fruits, meat, dairy (if you can handle it), nuts and seeds... give yourself time to get accustomed to reading labels... by shopping the perimeter of the store (fresh foods), there are very few (if any) labels to read! If you avoid as much processed food as possible, the possibility of cross-contamination is very small!

You'll want to find some easy snacks so you'll have something to reach for when you're starving. A couple of mine are almond butter with apples, yogurt, smoothies, and eggs.

Google paleo or caveman diet for recipe ideas. That community has been very helpful for me.

I made the mistake (at least it was for me) early on of buying everything that said "gluten-free" on the package. I didn't really start healing until I got rid of the processed junk. I admit that I am more sensitive than most, but my body sure appreciates the whole foods.

Best!

[vickys]

Only on gluten-free week 3 here so I'm soaking up the good info in this thread (and on the rest of the forum) too. All I can say is that I'm feeling so much better that I don't care how restricted/difficult this diet may be; I can't imagine ever eating gluten again on purpose! I could happily live on applesauce, Larabars, and almonds if that's what it took.

Seriously, I can't believe how sick I was and how it had become my "normal." My new body feels like it's being recreated from the inside out.

I'm in week 2 and totally agree with you. Although I'm not yet feeling hundred per cent well after just two weeks (I realise it's a long journey), I have noticed some positive changes. Like you rightly point out, "I can't believe how sick I was and how it had become my 'normal'". For me going to the bathroom four times a day (and night) was the norm, feeling bloated and tired after eating was ok and so forth. I can't believe that just by 'simply' eliminating an 'element' from a diet I don't need to rush to the loo every time I put something in my mouth! What a relief.

[anabananakins]

Giving up sugar is rough but so worth it, IMO. And hey, you're giving up gluten, might as well throw in sugar too :-) Eating clean is the best. I'm not strict paleo, but I read a lot about it and it makes sense to me. I just don't fancy giving up dairy so I guess mine is a modified version :-)

With regards to going gluten free gradually... well, depends how gradual. After discussion with my doctor I spent a weekend enjoying final treats and using up stuff in the house, but after the last gluten-y item was eaten Monday at breakfast, that was that. Taking a few days helped, but once you know the damage you're doing, it's time to get off it. It's not going to be any easier in a week (a month...)

[notme]

peeling things works better for me (veggies/fruits) i always cooked everything just scrubbed with the skin on and even though it doesn't have gluten, the peels don't digest well - maybe they will in time, but not right now. and i am a year in.