My best friend just learned today that she has celiac disease. Which for those of you unaware of what it is, celiac means that gluten is her enemy because it has destroyed her villi and creates an immune reaction.
Now that I am a gluten-free veteran and have earned my stripes and then some, I just had some thoughts to share with my best friend, and to the many of you who are new to gluten-free living.
1.) The hardest thing about celiac/gluten intolerance is losing the traditions and social relationships with food. Making ravioli at Christmas. Grabbing a beer with friends. Savoring a cake at a birthday party. Over time, you will make peace with the substitutions and realize these events are about the people, not about the food.
2.) Be vigilant when reading labels and eating out at restaurants. Last Sunday, I was “glutened” by a waitress’ mistake and have been miserable all week! Speak up at restaurants, and I would personally talk to the manager. When shopping, do realize that hidden gluten is in most processed foods. Some examples of hidden gluten are: soy sauce, chicken broth, and yes, even lipstick. You need to avoid MSG like the plague as well.
3.) When I first learned of my issues with gluten, my body went into revolt because I was eating a ton of corn, eggs, etc. to make up for the missing food group. I tested intolerant to those foods within a few months of being gluten-free. My advice: rotate your foods every 72 hours until your gut heals. Eating one food repeatedly will make you react to that very food.
4.) Life as you know it isn’t over. If you are sensitive to gluten or have celiacs, removing gluten will make you feel better, but it will not heal you. Look into gut healing foods like bone broths and probiotic rich fermented foods. Check out diets like the ones embraced by Sally Fallon of Nourishing Traditions or the GAPS diet.
5.) Not all gluten-free foods suck anymore. I have embraced my inner 50s housewife and have fallen in love with my kitchen. It pays to learn how to bake again. Websites like Elana’s Pantry, Comfy Belly, The Spunky Coconut, Gluten-free Goddess, and Gluten-free Girl and the Chef have helped me tremendously over the past year. When I am too lazy to bake, my two favorite bread companies are Udi’s and Rudi’s. Trader Joe’s Brown Rice pasta rules.
I really think ALL doctors should be screening for celiac’s with our yearly checkups. It’s a simple blood test people. If you are bloated, tired after eating, anemic, fatigued, migraine-prone, underweight, overweight, depressed, {the list goes on and on}…you may have an issue with gluten.
I hate gluten so much that it’s my new scapegoat.
To your health…
Nicolette
We really struggled when DS went gluten free as part of an elimination diet. It was so hard to think up things we could all eat but we did find some organic GF animal pasta that was pretty good and he of course loved the shape! I know I myself could do with going GF but just can’t take that leap… cookies…
I’m GF too! Yay for finding another gf blogger!!
KK
Trader Joe’s also has an okay rice bread that makes a pretty good PB&J when I need one….. I’m about 2 1/2 weeks into a gluten reaction myself…. Best of luck to your friend.
Great post! I think it’s those hidden gluten triggers that trip up a lot of new people to the gf diet. They don’t realize that “modified food starch” may be wheat or that wheat germ is in so many cosmetic products. And I can’t say enough good things about Udi’s. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad, you shared this. I think, it is important, for those on a GF diet to know they can eat and have some real treats, once they know, what I will call, the tricks.