The best Mantra for me to get through rough times with my diet is: "IT IS OKAY TO GET UPSET"
There were many times in the beginning, and still to this day after it has almost been a year, when I feel like no one cares. Sometimes I felt like everyone around me blamed me for making their lives harder because they had to cook differently, or someone was coming to their party who couldn't eat what they planned. I felt like a big inconvenience. It hurts. Know that, accept that it is okay to be hurt by this.
At times I felt overwhelmed by everything, all of the label reading, double checking. Take one change at a time. I am living proof that this feeling goes away with time. I don't feel as overwhelmed anymore. When I do feel overwhelmed, I remember that it is okay to feel overwhelmed, I take a deep breath, and I say this is normal, what can I do to ease the overwhelmed feeling?
The hardest part for me was accepting that most people don't understand what I was going through. Most people have never gone through something like this. They assume you're making a big deal out of something that isn't a big deal. Or it feels like they think you want extra attention for it. For me, it was the opposite, at times where I got extra attention I just wanted it to go away. I got to the point of not wanting to eat at all if it meant extra attention and special treatment. You can't convince people to think or act another way. You can show them articles, send them websites, books and they may still reject it all.
IT IS OKAY TO GET UPSET
Having Celiac was emotionally painful for me in the beginning, but physically I felt better. Growing up I ate wheat products, I was used to those, old comfort foods had to leave my life in a time of stress and need for them, and I could no longer eat it. I would get mad and angry because I didn't choose to become a "picky" eater, I hated that people looked at me that way. When people forget I can't eat things, and they ask or assume that I can I get upset, someone wouldn't forget if I had a medical problem that was on the outside of my body.
Other than accepting that it is okay to get upset, I decided to stop being cheerful about things. Having to explain about my allergies over and over and over got annoying, instead of having a happy attitude about it, which became exhausting, I stopped caring about being happy about it, and just said it like it is.
Be prepared to get embarassed, feel angry, get bored, and depressed throughout your experience with Celiac. The more you face these emotions and accept them, the easier time you will have working through them.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Gluten Free Trial 2010
On the 5th day of my gluten free trial I was feeling very good. I took a trip to Trader Joe's to find food that I could eat. I was starting to feel like I wasn't eating enough.
On March 8th 2010 I started noticing that I wasn't eating enough fiber, iron, B vitamins, fruits or meat. I started noticing that if I focused on getting enough Fiber, another important vitamin would plumet.
On March 14th I finished my two week trial and I started back on gluten food- just eating what I used to always eat. I took a turn for the worst. I had diarrhea all morning. I felt very weak and nauseated, I had a headache all day, was having hot/cold spells, I was extremely moody and irritable. I was tired so much that I barely got out of bed all day. By the time I went to sleep that night, my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest and my joints ached all over.
March 15th 2010 Started off the day feeling constipated, and bloaty. Throughout the day ate gluten and felt hungry, crampy and bloating regardless. Ended up completely crashing that evening and cried myself to sleep, I couldn't get a grip, I was extremely paranoid, checked the front door to see if it was locked over and over.
March 16th 2010 I woke up from a terrible night's sleep really hungry. I finally had a bowel movement, it wasn't totally normal, it hurt and was soft at the same time. Survived the rest of the day.
March 17th 2010 The fourth day of being back on gluten. Had mass amounts of diarrhea all morning, felt nauseated from the diarrhea but hungry at the same time, felt like I hadn't eaten for weeks. Got sick all night from the beer for St. Patrick's Day.
March 18th 2010, woke up sick with diarrhea for hours all morning. Went to the Endo. He said I should pay attention to what makes me happy, he suggested if going gluten free makes me happier than do it, if having pasta one night makes me happier than eat it.
After that I finished my two weeks on gluten, realized I was very sick and went back to being gluten free- got tested and found out about Celiac.
From now on it has been GLUTEN FREE GLUTEN FREE GLUTEN FREE!
On March 8th 2010 I started noticing that I wasn't eating enough fiber, iron, B vitamins, fruits or meat. I started noticing that if I focused on getting enough Fiber, another important vitamin would plumet.
On March 14th I finished my two week trial and I started back on gluten food- just eating what I used to always eat. I took a turn for the worst. I had diarrhea all morning. I felt very weak and nauseated, I had a headache all day, was having hot/cold spells, I was extremely moody and irritable. I was tired so much that I barely got out of bed all day. By the time I went to sleep that night, my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest and my joints ached all over.
March 15th 2010 Started off the day feeling constipated, and bloaty. Throughout the day ate gluten and felt hungry, crampy and bloating regardless. Ended up completely crashing that evening and cried myself to sleep, I couldn't get a grip, I was extremely paranoid, checked the front door to see if it was locked over and over.
March 16th 2010 I woke up from a terrible night's sleep really hungry. I finally had a bowel movement, it wasn't totally normal, it hurt and was soft at the same time. Survived the rest of the day.
March 17th 2010 The fourth day of being back on gluten. Had mass amounts of diarrhea all morning, felt nauseated from the diarrhea but hungry at the same time, felt like I hadn't eaten for weeks. Got sick all night from the beer for St. Patrick's Day.
March 18th 2010, woke up sick with diarrhea for hours all morning. Went to the Endo. He said I should pay attention to what makes me happy, he suggested if going gluten free makes me happier than do it, if having pasta one night makes me happier than eat it.
After that I finished my two weeks on gluten, realized I was very sick and went back to being gluten free- got tested and found out about Celiac.
From now on it has been GLUTEN FREE GLUTEN FREE GLUTEN FREE!
365 Gluten Free White Cake Mix
The Whole Foods store brand 365 has a Gluten Free White Cake Mix, I found it gross, tasted heavy like each bite turned into a solid rock hanging out in my stomach. They also tasted "dusty" the next day. When I took a bite into one of them little tiny crumbs went all over the place like I took a blower to a pile of leaves.
Trader Joe's Gluten Free Items
Trader Joe's is fairly Gluten Free friendly, but if you are very sensitive like I am, read carefully still. They have a logo they use with a letter G in a black square to represent gluten free items, but many of them are processed in factories that also produce wheat products.
Trader Joe's has a few gluten free frozen meals that are great for a really quick lunch or dinner. My favorite is the Vegetable Panang Curry with Jasmine Rice. But the Paneer Tikka Masala with Spinach Basmati Rice and the Chicken Masala are very good as well.
I really like Trader Joe's Gluten Free Granola.
Their Taco Seasoning MIx that is gluten free (look for the little g) is really good, on the spicier side but delicious.
I really enjoyed Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Mix, it is extremely easy and delicious.
Trader Joe's also carries LARABAR's they are really amazing and packed with good stuff. I like the PB&J, cashew cookie, Coconut cream pie, chocolate.
Think Thin Bars are also gluten free, but I find them disgusting to swallow.
They carry Traditional Quinoa that is really good, BUT I found another brand at Costco that is cheaper.
Trader Joe's has a few gluten free frozen meals that are great for a really quick lunch or dinner. My favorite is the Vegetable Panang Curry with Jasmine Rice. But the Paneer Tikka Masala with Spinach Basmati Rice and the Chicken Masala are very good as well.
I really like Trader Joe's Gluten Free Granola.
Their Taco Seasoning MIx that is gluten free (look for the little g) is really good, on the spicier side but delicious.
I really enjoyed Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Mix, it is extremely easy and delicious.
Trader Joe's also carries LARABAR's they are really amazing and packed with good stuff. I like the PB&J, cashew cookie, Coconut cream pie, chocolate.
Think Thin Bars are also gluten free, but I find them disgusting to swallow.
They carry Traditional Quinoa that is really good, BUT I found another brand at Costco that is cheaper.
Keeping Variety with Fruits and Vegetables
Since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease I've noticed I eat many more fruits and veggies than I did before. But, I started to get bored with simply eating a banana, or a handful of baby carrots. Here are some ideas I've found/discovered/come up with to keep things interesting.
FRUIT IDEAS
Add dried apricots to gluten free cereal
Add dried Papaya to apricots
Mix fresh fruit into yogurt
Top rice cakes with peanut or almond butter and add sliced fruit like banana's on top
Add sliced apples and pears to salads and sandwiches
Toss strawberries, grapes, and oranges into salads (out of fresh fruit? use canned mandrin oranges).
Add dried berries to mashed potatoes
VEGETABLE IDEAS
Add spinach or other leafy dark greens to sandwiches
Have a salad with every dinner
Add baby carrots, sliced mushrooms, frozen peas, to rice and quinoa
Add asparagus, zuicchini or mushrooms into pasta sauce
Make a vegetable based chilli- corn, peppers, etc.
FRUIT IDEAS
Add dried apricots to gluten free cereal
Add dried Papaya to apricots
Mix fresh fruit into yogurt
Top rice cakes with peanut or almond butter and add sliced fruit like banana's on top
Add sliced apples and pears to salads and sandwiches
Toss strawberries, grapes, and oranges into salads (out of fresh fruit? use canned mandrin oranges).
Add dried berries to mashed potatoes
VEGETABLE IDEAS
Add spinach or other leafy dark greens to sandwiches
Have a salad with every dinner
Add baby carrots, sliced mushrooms, frozen peas, to rice and quinoa
Add asparagus, zuicchini or mushrooms into pasta sauce
Make a vegetable based chilli- corn, peppers, etc.
Gluten Free Beer
Beer's I've tried:
Anheuser-Busch Redbridge: sorghum based beer called Redbridge. It is a deep golden color, light aroma, tastes hoppy with a nice bitterness to it. Similar to Sam Adams. www.redbridgebeer.com I found it at Whole Foods and BevMo!
Bard's Tale Dragon's Gold: sorghum malt craft brewed beer. British style ale, It is a medium gold color, tastes sweet and malty. www.bardsbeer.com I also found this at Whole Foods and BevMo!
Lakefront's New Grist: again, it is a sorghum and rice beer. Bright gold coloring, similar to a Corona. www.newgrist.com
Beer's that exist, that I have not yet tried:
Belgian Beer from Green's
Sprecher Shakporo
Nouvelle France's La Messagere
Rampano Valley Brewery in New York
O'Brien's Premium Lager
Also, Hard Cider is generally gluten free. Be careful with Flavored ciders though, they can be malt based- read your labels. I know Mike's Hard Lemonade is malt based so that is unsafe for someone with Celiac.
Anheuser-Busch Redbridge: sorghum based beer called Redbridge. It is a deep golden color, light aroma, tastes hoppy with a nice bitterness to it. Similar to Sam Adams. www.redbridgebeer.com I found it at Whole Foods and BevMo!
Bard's Tale Dragon's Gold: sorghum malt craft brewed beer. British style ale, It is a medium gold color, tastes sweet and malty. www.bardsbeer.com I also found this at Whole Foods and BevMo!
Lakefront's New Grist: again, it is a sorghum and rice beer. Bright gold coloring, similar to a Corona. www.newgrist.com
Beer's that exist, that I have not yet tried:
Belgian Beer from Green's
Sprecher Shakporo
Nouvelle France's La Messagere
Rampano Valley Brewery in New York
O'Brien's Premium Lager
Also, Hard Cider is generally gluten free. Be careful with Flavored ciders though, they can be malt based- read your labels. I know Mike's Hard Lemonade is malt based so that is unsafe for someone with Celiac.
General Celiac Information
Places to find general information- I found most of these sites to be very helpful with family and friends.
CarolFenster www.Glutenfree101.com
Celiac.com www.celiac.com
Celiacs, Inc. www.e-celiac.org
The Celiac Site www.TheCeliacSite.com
Celiac Frequently Asked Questions FAQ www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/faq.html
Clan Thompson Celiac Page www.celiacsite.com
Finer Health & Nutrition www.finerhealth.com
Gfree Cuisine www.GfreeCuisin.com
CarolFenster www.Glutenfree101.com
Celiac.com www.celiac.com
Celiacs, Inc. www.e-celiac.org
The Celiac Site www.TheCeliacSite.com
Celiac Frequently Asked Questions FAQ www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/faq.html
Clan Thompson Celiac Page www.celiacsite.com
Finer Health & Nutrition www.finerhealth.com
Gfree Cuisine www.GfreeCuisin.com
Wheat Free and Wonderful
My Grandmother found an article for me in Arthritis Today July/August 2010 Issue, titled "Wheat-Free and Wonderful" The article talks about gluten free grains. Some good ideas include mixing buckwheat with sauteed mushrooms with a drizzle of evoo, mixing corn, feta, and sauteed spinach on a salad, piling quinoa with black beans, salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce and corn.
But, the most interesting part of the article for me was: Gluten Free News. GLING.COM is a social networking site dedicated to gluten free living. It is very small still and in the beta stages but I think it has a lot of potential. They have information about Celiac, recipes, and locations to eat. They recently joined with Maryland's Center for Celiac Research who keep the site updated with Celiac news.
But, the most interesting part of the article for me was: Gluten Free News. GLING.COM is a social networking site dedicated to gluten free living. It is very small still and in the beta stages but I think it has a lot of potential. They have information about Celiac, recipes, and locations to eat. They recently joined with Maryland's Center for Celiac Research who keep the site updated with Celiac news.
Journal of Gluten Free Trial
When I first suspected that I have Celiac I did a two week trial off of gluten. I did research about nutrition and details about going gluten free. I kept a journal of my findings, how I felt, notes from books etc. I'm going to start entering my journaling into this blog to share my struggles with others who may also be struggling.
First thing is first. Admit and accept that you have celiac disease. That is the hardest part. Harder than finding food to eat, harder than cooking without gluten, harder than social situations...
I have Celiac Disease.
First thing is first. Admit and accept that you have celiac disease. That is the hardest part. Harder than finding food to eat, harder than cooking without gluten, harder than social situations...
I have Celiac Disease.
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