diane64

A quick note about receiving communion. I am Catholic and receive a low gluten host. It does not bother me. My faith has the samw belief- the wafer must have some wheat in it! I do not receive the wine. I don't because I am afraid of cross contamination. So may people are drinking from that cup, right after eating a gluteny wafer! Also, so people dip the wafer in the wine.

Just some things to think about.

Good luck!

I have been to 2 weddings since my diagnosis. Both times the caterer was more than happy to provide a gluten free meal. I spoke to the brides ahead of time. I didn't have an appetizers or desserts, and my meal was plain, but I still had fun and was able to eat!

Hi! i was diagnosed back in October due to DH and tummy troubles. I'm getting better each day and trying to make my way through all the gluten free and dairy free (yes i got double duty!) world.

my question is, i'm invited to a wedding of a good friend in a few months and am wondering what to do about the food. i would feel uncomfortable telling my friend what i can and can't eat and what should be served at her wedding. lol. but would it be rude to ask the server how the food was prepared? would it be rude of me not to eat? what do i do?

thanks for your help!

Hi,

I am getting married this summer. I am trying to plan the honeymoon, but don't want to get stuck somewhere where I can't eat! We are leaving my son with my parents on Long Island, and hope to go somewhere within a few hours drive. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Diane

Yes, this diet is very difficult at times, but you do get used to it. I eat only veggies, fruits, meats, dairy and products that are labeled gluten free. If it doesn't say gluten free, I don't eat it! It is hard to give up the old favorites, but feeling better is worth it!

Good luck!

For the last seven weeks (diagnosed Celiac Dec of 2010, began diet 1/1/11) I have been eating anything that says gluten free, no gluten or doesn't have wheat in bold or listed as an allergen on the ingredient label. Now I am finding out that wheat free is not the same as gluten free! I am so confused. How am I supposed to memorize every single possible derivative of wheat, barley and rye? This is too much. I have only had one reaction, as far as I could tell, about one week in. Since then, I think I have been fine. I can't make EVERYTHING from scratch. I am only 29 and have spent the last 4 years of my 20's sick. I want to go out and eat socially and I don't feel I can remember all of the things that contain gluten. How do you do it?

Thanks!

I am 5 foot 9. Imagine how tall I'd be without celiac? I wonder!

I am new to all of this too, so I don't have any advice. I do want to tell you that this forum is very supportive and helpful! Hang in there! Get second and third opinions, if need be!

Good luck!

Diane

I have had great experiences with the Outback. I think it depends on the one you go to. I went to one Chili's and was fine. Then I tried another one and was served my "gluten free" meal with gravy on it!

I always ask to talk to the manager. I explain my needs and I have found that most are accomodating. I haven't tried any places that don't have a gluten free menu.

Good luck!

I receive the low gluten host every Sunday at mass. I have to get there a little early to sign up for it. It is worth it!

Diane

For those Catholics / Episcopalians out there ... there are low-gluten / gluten-free hosts. They are cruncher than usual and a little yellow, but they are the same size. Benedictine convent in Clyde, Missouri makes them. Over two years of experiments they have developed a Communion wafer that has been approved as valid material for the Eucharist by the Holy See.

Thanks for the great advice!!!

Diane

I am planning a trip and am wondering I can pack food in my checked luggage? I have read that I can't bring any food on the plane unless I buy it after I go through security.

Thanks!

Diane

I know what you mean- it's hard to tell!

I have been gluten free for 6 monnths. Right before Christmas I felt tired, confused, had diarrhea, and no appetite. I also had stomach pains. Other than the stomach pains, I felt like I did before going gluten free. I don't know what I ate. I am very careful and not eaten out or at anyone's house.

It is tough to know if it's gluten or something else.

Good luck!

I don't plan on hiding my celiac disease. I was just wondering if it would affect my ability to get life insurance.

Thanks!

Just me so far. My parents were tested and are negative, but my dad sure does have a lot of the symptoms. My sister was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but tested negative for celiac. My brothers have not been tested yet. My one brother told me that he has enough problems- like being tested makes you sick? My son was adopted, so he doesn't seem to have it- at least not from me!

I have to get a new life insurance policy as my old one is almost up. I met with an agent and she asked if I have any health problems. I told her about my having celiac disease. I am wondering if anyone has had a problem getting life insurance because of celiac disease.

Thanks!

Diane

I have lost weight too, since going gluten free. I think it's due to the fact that I don't eat much at parties, pot lucks, etc. When everyone else is eating pizza, I eat salad! Also, I am eating a lot more fruits and veggies.

Anyway, I have lost about 10 pounds. I don't want to lose much more. I have had to buy new pants, only to have them get too loose on me!

Hmmm... I am curious to see what others say!

Diane

My weight has varied a lot over the years. I wore a pair of size 10 jeans from 8th grade until age 25. Sometimes they were far too big, sometimes they were very tight. Since then in my late 20's I dropped suddenly to a size 4 and about 109 pounds (I'm 5'5). Then I gained to a size 12 and lost back to a size 4 in my early 30's. In the last couple years I jumped from size 4 to size 14. I was diagnosed on November 2nd 2010 and since then I've dropped from 172 and a size 14 to 145 and a size 10. I've been trying to estimate what my ultimate size is. Am I just at the begging of losing weight or am I getting close to the end of the natural gluten free weight loss? I know no one knows the answer but I was hoping maybe some of you could share your experience with this so I might get some idea of what to expect in the coming months. Personally I'm happy at my current weight and I don't mind losing some more. I just really don't want to get down to a size 4. I'm too thin at that point. Not to mention I'd have to buy all new clothes.

Welcome!

I can't answer all of your questions. I do ask at my pharmacy about medications being gluten free. They have been really good about contacting the drug company for me. Ask each time, as the suppliers change!

I think I was glutened for the first time last week. I am not sure what it was that I ate- I pretty much eat the same things for breakfast and lunch and never take any chances. I think it was cross contamination from a gluteny food that my son eats. Anyway, I had the same symptoms come back (the ones I had before I went gluten free). They were spread out over several days- stomach pains, fatigue, confusion.

Good luck!

Diane

It's my first gluten free Christmas as well! It's also my first Christmas with my fiance's family, which makes it a bit trickier. I am eating before we go, bringing my own food and then probably eating again at home later!

Good luck to all and thanks so much for the advice and support! It really helps!

Diane

PS- I got the Gluten Free Guide for Dummies- it seems pretty good!

I would talk to the manager. I have ordered off gluten free menus only to be given a plate with some gluteny thing on it. The one waitress said she'd just scrape it off! You have to be your own advocate. Good luck!

Diane

What brands of blue cheese are gluten free? The recipe sounds yummy!

Scallops with bacon.

This is awesome with corn chips. Buffalo chicken dip. I use cooked shredded chicken instead of the canned.

Open Original Shared Link

Chips and salsa, guacamole

I have been gluten free since July 7, 2010. I felt better within a few weeks and now feel better than I have in years. I have more energy, am happier and the physical symptoms are gone( loose stools, joint pain, fatigue).

This being said, I don't think that I was as sick as many of the others I have read about on this board. I went to the dr within a few months of my "bathroom" issues and he tested me for celiac right away. I don't know if this all helped with my healing/feeling better sooner or not.

I mostly eat only what I cook. If I go to someone's house, I bring a dish to pass that I have taken a portion of (before anyone else) and that is all I eat. I don't trust others to understand the whole cross contamination thing. I have eaten out a few places, but only those who have a gluten-free menu. I talk to the manager first and make sure that everyone involved in my meal understands.

I don't have any other intolerances that I know of. Elimating gluten seems to have done the trick.

Good luck with the new diet. It is difficult, but it is worth it!

Diane

Hey Guys,

Hope you are all well:)Just curious to know how long you have been on the gluten free diet??And where you are now in terms of Health??Symptoms??Other intolerances????Eating out experiences????Trying to figure this all out is soo frusterating i find a couple of good days thinking im in the clear then i will have a crappy day next,but the stomach issues and bowel issues have resolved 90%, i find its more neurological headaches on occasion,weak bones and extreme tiredness it comes in waves but i know i havent consumed gluten my whole house is gluten free and havent eaten out either, im thinking other intolerances. I have not had vitamin panels yet i do know im not anemic.Btw friday will make 3 months on the gluten free diet im soo proud:)Cant wait to hear from my fellow celiacs:)

Congrats! You are on the right path! I felt better after a few weeks too, and it kept getting better and better for me! Good luck!

I agree- cooking at home is not that tough. It is time consuming though!

Socializing is hard. I don't eat anything that anyone else cooks. I don't trust them to know about cross contamination, etc. I bring my own food to people's houses. People understand and usually feel badly for me.

I have found the the gluten free menus at restaurants are doable. Ask for the manager! I have found that some waitresses are not educated about gluten free foods, but the managers seem to be.

Traveling is something I haven't encountered yet, but my fiance and I are going to Miami for his son's wedding in January. I will be getting a gluten free meal at the wedding, but other than that, I am not sure what I'll be eating. It is scary to be far from home and be in danger of being glutened!

Good luck with this new adventure!

Diane

How hard is it to cook gluten free? We have decided that our home is going to become essentially gluten free after my daughter's endo/biopsy. There are a few snacks that my middle daughter loves that I don't see making her give up easily. Luckily the youngest daughter doesn't like those so we can work something out to keep that separate. My middle daughter is very aware of celiac and what to do because her best friend has it. Otherwise though, I am not a short order cook, so I don't feel like making separate meals, nor do I want to stress about cross contamination.

I cook mostly from scratch, using whole foods. I don't even use spice packets...I prefer to mix my own flavors. I am not a big fan of baking, so that makes life easier. I have already learned about Udi's bread for those of us that insist on sandwiches...ironically that would not be the kid who can't eat the wheat bread. She hates bread. It looks like with careful ingredient reading, that cooking for the family shouldn't be too hard, once we clean the kitchen, get rid of some stuff and replace a few pots and pans(yay! they are old as dirt anyway).

It seems like cooking will be manageable, but it is the travelling, socializing and eating out that can be sheer hell. Am I being over confident about the cooking aspect?

Since I have read your post, I have read that people have "celiac's" or "celiacs". I hadn't noticed until you pointed it out, but it's true!

Either "I'm celiac" or "I have celiac disease". And for what it's worth, people saying "Celiac's" drive me batty. It's not a name, it's an ancient Greek word. Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

[quote name='Takala' date='07 November 2010 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1289154502'

Thanks everyone!!! You have some good ideas!

Diane

post='651715']

I never did get what was so great about stuffing, so that's not a big deal to miss out on an overcooked sodden little wad of bread.

We cook our own special holiday dinners gluten free.

I can't think of anything that can't be converted if it is necessary to use an item that had flour. But most Thanksgiving food is gluten free anyway. Turkey, vegetables, potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce. Gravy can easily be converted to gluten free. You aren't supposed to cook stuffing inside the bird anyway so it gets down in a side casserole dish after starting it on the stove top. I have done stuffings completely without any conventional bread, using instead things like mushrooms, and they are better than regular. Pie crusts can be done gluten free or the shells can be purchased frozen or gluten free mixes used. We bake pumpkin pudding instead, with coconut milk and pecans. If you can find a gluten free bakery (some will mail order) you can also buy gluten free baked holiday goods. Health food stores now carry good gluten free bread varieties.

The more you cook the less big a deal this is. I don't even like commercially made holiday food now, it lacks taste.

Hi Everyone,

I enjoy reading all of the posts and responses. It's good to know that I am not alone!

As we approach the holidays, I am beginning to remember all of my old holidays favorites that I can no longer eat. How do you cope with this loss, especially since we have to watch everyone enjoying all of the foods we used to eat and enjoy?

Thanks!

Diane