Getting Lazy

[Raywuwei]

I have been on my gluten-free diet for one month, and relocated from Oregon to New York one week ago.

I was very vigilant about creating healthy meals after I was diagnosed, but as time has passed I've gotten more and more lazy. I've been skipping meals to avoid figuring out what to eat and munching on Kettle potato chips for snacks rather than body-healing fruits and veggies. On top of my diagnosis, I have thrown myself into the uber expensive Brooklyn, NY. I'll be starting grad school at the end of August but right now I'm unemployed. My inability to finance this disease only decreases my desire to find healthy food options.

The side effects of this laziness are very clear to me: I am tired ALL THE TIME. I'm not eating gluten, but I'm not eating well either. I really want to feel pumped and motivated to explore New York, but I am exhausted and growing melancholic. I've already spent about $200 this week on food staples alone, and I can't figure out how to afford fruit and veggies. I also haven't researched what kind of supplements or vitamins I should be taking. I wasn't able to get my vitamin levels tested before I lost my insurance, so I really don't know what my body needs.

I suppose I am just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and needing to vent. Thanks for listening!

[WinterSong]

I am in New York, as well, and let me just say that there are ways to eat very cheaply in the city. Instead of buying fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, buy them from the fruit stands you see on the street corners. Today I saw boxes of strawberries for $1.50 each! Bananas are also normally 25 cents each (which comes out to be cheaper than 59cents/pound - most grocery stores will charge upwards of 79cents/pound). My food bills in NYC are cheaper than when I lived in the suburbs in the mid-west. Also, most neighborhoods in the boroughs will have a several grocery stores nearby. Make a list of the things you normally buy and check each of the grocery stores to see what is cheaper where. I've become a master at eating cheaply in NYC.

Also, there are some AMAZING gluten free restaurants here. I've heard that because of that NYC is the best place to be if you have a gluten intolerance.

I didn't get my vitamin levels checked, either, but right now I take a multivitamin, fish oil, calcium, and B12 (that last one I take because I was tired all the time). There are webistes where you can get great deals on vitamins - the one I use has a "buy two get three free" deal and has very cheap shipping.

Once you start eating better you will instantly start to feel better!

Seeing as we both are in the same city, let me know if I can help with any other questions you might have.

[Raywuwei]

AMAZING gluten free restaurants here. I've heard that because of that NYC is the best place to be if you have a gluten intolerance.

I didn't get my vitamin levels checked, either, but right now I take a multivitamin, fish oil, calcium, and B12 (that last one I take because I was tired all the time). There are webistes where you can get great deals on vitamins - the one I use has a "buy two get three free" deal and has very cheap shipping.

Thanks fellow night owl! I just finished some gluten-free Mac N' Cheese from "Brooklyn Mac." Again, not healthy but it is sooooo hard to watch my roommates order pizza here. What other restaurants do you recommend? I had talked to a nutritionist about taking some B12 for my fatigue even though I hadn't tested low. She seemed skeptical but I think I'm gonna go for it and take some anyway. Whats the website you use for the vitamins? It sounds great!

Thanks so much for your help!

[WinterSong]

Restaurants:

-FAVORITE!!!! - Bistango. Italian with the best gluten-free pizza and desserts in the city. Nice place and the owner is so sweet and really cares about helping the gluten-free community. I'd say about 90% of their menu can be made gluten free.

-Lilli and Loo - Great Chinese

-Lilli's 57 - Pretty good Chinese

-5 Napkin Burger - Amazing hamburgers with gluten-free french fries

-Radiance Tea House

-Cafe 82 - Diner

-Risotteria - Italian

-Sacred Chow - Vegan

-Gobo - Vegan

-L'Asso

-Candle 79

-Baby Cakes Bakery

-Soft Serve Fruit Company

-Nice Matin - Nice. French

There are SOOO many more that I haven't tried yet. And a lot of the nice/expensive restaurants are really good about catering to gluten free needs. You just have to call and ask.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links to other websites on the forum, but if you google "vitamins by two get three free" it is the first site that comes up.

There is also a Celiac Meet Up group here if you are interested. I've only been able to go to one of their events, but it was pretty cool.

[SensitiveMe]

Welcome to New York...I am here also but live upstate. I can't give any helpful advice about the city but I certainly relate to being vigilant at first then just eating potato chips because you don't feel like figuring out what to eat or because you are suddenly feeling hungry and potato chips are the only thing readily available. And I also relate to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

I am glad another poster from the city is offering to help with any questions you have. I don't have much available in my area but a small natural market. They are very helpful to me in finding things I can eat and with vitamins but they are very expensive as well.

Best wishes to you.

[Raywuwei]

WONDERFUL! Thank you!