Should I Make My Household Gluten-Free?

[ChristinB]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum and to being gluten free.

I am nearing the end of my second month as gluten-free. I am not a diagnosed celiac but when I had made numerous visits to my family dr. with the same symptoms...bloating, bowel problems, nausea, pain and tenderness in abdomen, constant exhaustion, lower back pain, brain fog...he suggested I eliminate gluten from my diet. After 2-3 weeks I felt incredible! I did not realize how awful I felt until my symptoms were nearly gone. I have talked to my dr. about testing and he told me that I would have to go back to eating gluten for the tests, which I am not willing to do. That being said I have come to find out that I am not only intolerant but quite sensitive to even small amounts of gluten. It is definitely harder than I thought it would be to be gluten-free.

I have been following my diet very closely and still have had some symptoms here and there. I work in a restaurant which could turn out to be an issue as I am always dealing with food that has gluten in it. I am also a single mother of a beautiful little girl who is soon to be 3. She and I live together just the two of us and I have been keeping around some snacks for her which contain gluten (mostly goldfish, pretzels and cereals). I'm wondering if I should eliminate the gluten from my house completely or keep some around for her?

Does anyone else work in a restaurant and have problems?

Is it a good idea to eliminate gluten from my household?

Sorry this is long-winded! I appreciate any advice you all can give!

[Skylark]

I think it's hard to have a young child eating gluten around. If you can find affordable snacks she likes you don't have to worry about crumbs.

[tarnalberry]

I have a 1 year old. I do not give her food with gluten in it (aside from oats). Daddy can give her bread, but has to clean her up. It's just too hard with little ones!

[cait]

We tried, but ended up making the household gluten-free, with a few rare exceptions. It was just too hard with little ones (3 and 5). The restaurant work could also be an issue, but if I were you I'd start with your household and see how much of a difference that makes.

Good luck.