Adapting to Life as a Celiac... The Silver Linings You Might Have Overlooked

As you can see from my post dates, it has been quite some time since I brought anything to the table. We'll just call my sabbatical as being "blind-sided by life" and blogging ended up being last on the list, and then not on the list at all of 'things to do'. Sometimes things just take your breath away and it takes time to get your breath back after being winded. Celiac disease can have that same effect on a person's life too- and it hits you right in the gut!

As much as one would like to take a break from life or Celiac Disease it just isn't always possible. But sometimes, it is a matter of shifting your perspective- realizing that you can't change being a Celiac, and looking instead for a silver lining. Once you get past all the things you feel that you have been deprived of and are off limits, a whole new world of understanding and possibility of being gf can happen. Focusing on the "can't haves" will only make you feel worse about something you can't change, and you'll just be more miserable for it.

So here are 5 Celiac Silver Linings for you to consider, before you let yourself dip into the "poor me" handbook of woes.

Silver Lining #1:
Since my daughter has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, we have become a much more health conscience family. While my daughter is the only family member who eats completely gf, the rest of us are I believe healthier for eating less amounts of gluten since major meals are always made gluten free in our house. Although I have always been fairly health conscience, Celiac Disease has forced me to act on things I would have normally said someday to.

Silver Lining#2:
Kicking the fast food habit! Let's face it- fast food isn't doing anyone a favor. And though my family didn't consume alot of junk food, less or none is better.

Silver Lining#3:
The gluten free fad is your friend. In the 5 years of my daughter being diagnosed as a Celiac, there has been a lot of growth in the food industry. Having become popular amoungst celebrities and health gurus, eating gluten free has become easier even in just the 5 short years my family has adapted to the diet. Just last week a major name brand pasta had a gluten free version on our grocery store shelf that was fabulous. (I will post later about my discovery.) But aside from products now hitting the mainstream, there is so much available now for recipes too. Almost anything you could imagine or crave is out there on the web, has been developed by a fellow Celiac with a discerning palate. Just visit Pinterest for example and you will be amazed! (You can follow me on Pinterest here http://www.pinterest.com/zomongo/. I have a "Gluten Free Goodness" board- I have tried some of these recipes, while others I have pinned for future reference to try out.)

Silver Lining#4:
This is silver lining is related to the previous one, but focuses on the "where do I buy that?" question. For a time I had to visit specialty health food and organic stores to find the gf food items I needed. But now, not only can I find gluten free foods more readily in major grocery store chains- there is so much on the internet. Gf grocery shopping is now a mouse click away. Specialty gf flours that you might otherwise never try can be easily found and ordered online. This is also a great way to shop for your gf items if your local area stores do not have a great supply of gf groceries. Buying online just makes sense in a lot of ways too. You save the gas and time running around from place to place looking for what you need, not to mention the frustration that is avoided. And what could be easier than having your groceries delivered to your door?! When you tell your friends how you have streamlined your life I'm sure they will be kicking themselves that they hadn't thought of that (Or feel jealous that they don't have the health excuse to take that leap! Lol). http://www.amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Foods-Diet/b?ie=UTF8&node=2204829011

Silver Lining #5:
Being catered to. Who doesn't love that?! Yes eating out can be a challenge...however, it can be a terrific experience too. My daughter for example attended her Christmas staff party recently that was held at a restaurant. She was greeted with servers that were already alerted to her condition and appropriate menu suggestions were made to her. However, when it came to dessert she was offered an off menu item. To the servers surprise the whole table decided that my daughter's dessert choice sounded better (Gf Chocolate Ganache Tart with ground nut crust vs Apple Crisp). When dessert arrived, my daughter waited politely and then was about to dig in when the final plate was brought out to be served... and it was announced that it was for the individual with the "allergy"! (Yes there was a brief moment of panic, and then the relief of having dodged the gluten bullet.) When the server was asked if there was gluten then in the rest of the tarts, the answer was "No. They are all made gluten free. We just have a policy to wash our hands before serving allergies." The whole table clapped! But aside from this experience my daughter has had other fabulous meals made by caring chefs who made her complete meal off menu. Who wouldn't want to be asked what they feel like eating and have it whipped up by a chef? Now you have the pull!- who needs star power when you have Celiac Disease?!

Hopefully, I have got you thinking a bit differently about being a Celiac after reading this post. Have you discovered a Celiac silver lining that you may have possibly shrugged off or overlooked? Leave a comment. I would love to know what you have discovered!

Adapting to a GF Lifestyle

I think one of the biggest things that is overlooked when diagnosed with Celiac's is a sense of loss and anxiety. Being told by your doctor to stay gluten free for life and everything will be OK just seems to gloss over the significant change in lifestyle. It is not that your doctor has failed you-it is an overwhelming life change for many who are diagnosed later instead of as young children. My daughter was depressed shortly after her diagnosis. At 13, she was already an avid baker and could even make a variety of meals. She was a confident teen- and then suddenly she was scared of food, crying in the grocery store.

Food is something we often take for granted, though it is necessary for survival. But it is that basic necessity of food that I think rattles the new Celiac. It is also that more planning is required too that can be worrisome- where can I eat at the mall food court?...what can I make for lunch that will still be edible by noon?...how do I eat gf at someone else's house? And on top of all that, many gluten containing ingredient names have all the meaning of latin for most of us, and often requires extended grocery store visits in order to decipher labels. Overwhelming and Exhausting!

So how do you get through this transition?...

1) Go back to basics for a while. Meat, veggies, fruit, and eggs. Staying away from anything processed will give you the peace of mind in the initial days of adjustment. (Dairy is fine too- just be aware that things like ice cream and yogurt may be sources of gluten. So avoid initially if you are feeling anxious about reading labels.)

2) Look for a gluten free isle in your grocery store. Many grocery stores are stocking some gf products in various quantities. (Note: Just make sure to look for a gluten free label! I have seen countless times when organic products are thrown in with gluten free ones- and naturally one assumes since it is in the gf shelf that it must be gf too. So watch out!)

3) Check to see if there is a gluten free bakery in your area. This is fantastic for satisfying that craving for sweets, as well as solving the new issue of bread. I took my daughter immediately after her diagnosis to our local gf bakery that we are lucky to have here- it was a beacon of hope for her that she could live without feeling completely deprived of the foods she loved.

4) Join the Celiac association in your area. They will have information on food products that are safe, restaurant lists that are gf friendly, and many other tips.

5) Reach out to friends or colleagues that are Celiac's. They will be good sources of information, ranging from good tasting products, recipes, restaurants, etc. (Just don't let them convince you that cheating a little is OK!- some Celiac's do believe this, and it is not OK- you are damaging your small intestine by cheating!! More on this later...).

6) Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian. The dietitian will have lots of information for you, and can help ease you through the initial stages of going gf.

7) Don't beat yourself up. What you are feeling is real, and not silly. Take small steps. You will get the hang of being gf, and it will become second nature. Find a friend to talk to, or post here and I or someone else will be happy to listen. :)

Getting Started

When you are newly diagnosed as a Celiac, there are many questions and concerns to address. However, don't panic. Realize you will be on a learning curve for a while, and that you can't grasp it all in one day. My first bit of advice is to add this book to your library- Gluten Free Diet by Shelley Case. This book was recommended by the dietitian at our children's hospital when my daughter was diagnosed. It has more than enough information to get you started on your gluten free journey, but will become that go to book as you become more seasoned as well. IT IS A MUST HAVE! I have other gluten free diet books that I had bought at the same time, but this one is the one I refer to most often.

The Living Gluten Free Challenge

Living gluten free can be challenging. My family discovered this a little over two years ago when our teen daughter was diagnosed. It came as a complete shock since she had shown no obvious symptoms leading up to her dramatic and sudden onset of Celiac Disease. There was no known family history, and though I had heard of this condition, I essentially knew nothing. Once we had the diagnosis by biopsy, it was a steep learning curve for my daughter and our family. The task of feeding my daughter had suddenly seemed like a maze of inedible booby traps. But we got through it. And if you are a new Celiac you will adapt too. My hope with this blog is to help new Celiac's, as well as those who have been living gluten free for years, find resources to live better. You do not need to feel deprived any longer, or overwhelmed by "what can I eat?".