Gluten-Free
I have Celiac Disease, which is sometimes referred to as Sprue. I was diagnosed in July of 2002, and required hospitalization. I was kept in the hospital for two days while they conducted various tests, and topped off my tank with four units of whole blood to treat the accompanying symptoms of Anemia. They eventually diagnosed me correctly, and released me with a prescription for some time release iron pills (300 mg/day), and the news that I would have to eat gluten-free for the rest of my life.
I'm sure by now, most of you have heard the phrase "gluten-free," or that someone has Celiac/Sprue, and are wondering what it is. Many people often refer to it as a food allergy, but it is not. It is an auto-immune disease that is a very serious disease if it goes undiagnosed. Fortunately, doctors are making the proper diagnosis more often than not, these days. I have friends (and possibly family) however, who went undiagnosed for decades.
Now is a great time to be a Celiac because most large groceries stores are jumping onto the "health food" bandwagon, and are bringing in specialized foods like organic, and gluten free. There are reasonable substitutes for everything, but they cost a little more. A lot more in some cases.
While gluten-free eating can benefit some people without celiac disease, autistic people for example, I am very confused by this very recent trend of people choosing to eat gluten free. I have seen many people mention it, including some high-profile athletes, but I am aware of no studies that show it has any benefits for any kinds of people, other than those that I previously mentioned. To each his own, I guess.
Many people find the transition to the gluten-free lifestyle (and it IS a lifestyle, I assure you), very difficult. I was just so happy to be properly diagnosed that I dove right in head first, and never looked back. I was never the kind of person who always had bread with my meals (unless I was eating a sandwich), or was always eating pasta, so for me the change wasn't so radical. Plus, about twelve years earlier I had decided to become a vegetarian, and eat organically, so to have to always be thinking about the foods that I was going to put into my body, was no big thing.
I have also been around many newly diagnosed Celiacs in my local support group, and in local stores, and I have seen their initial reactions run the gamut. I've seen people who get scared and panic, and those who accept it, and move on. What I hate to see in those situations, however, are other Celiacs who give them 'doom-and-gloom' scenarios where all foods will no longer have any flavor, and that things will never be the same. I have little patience for that attitude, but they are right in one area, however. Things never will be the same. But that doesn't mean you have to be a 'Negative Nellie' and expect the worse. I also disagree with those people in that foods will never taste good again. I have found gluten-free foods to be every bit as flavorful and regular foods. For me the only thing that has changed is the texture, and that's fine with me as long as I never have to be sick again.
So if you're a newly diagnosed Celiac, and you're reading this, don't panic. This is easy. You will adjust, and you will love your new life. Just remember to be your own advocate, and do your best.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to chat. If you would like to know more about me, click here.
P.S.
A few years ago when I was very stressed on a winter day, I wrote the story of the scary call from my doctor telling me I had to be admitted to the hospital, right up to being diagnosed and released. That story can be found here.
I'm sure by now, most of you have heard the phrase "gluten-free," or that someone has Celiac/Sprue, and are wondering what it is. Many people often refer to it as a food allergy, but it is not. It is an auto-immune disease that is a very serious disease if it goes undiagnosed. Fortunately, doctors are making the proper diagnosis more often than not, these days. I have friends (and possibly family) however, who went undiagnosed for decades.
Now is a great time to be a Celiac because most large groceries stores are jumping onto the "health food" bandwagon, and are bringing in specialized foods like organic, and gluten free. There are reasonable substitutes for everything, but they cost a little more. A lot more in some cases.
While gluten-free eating can benefit some people without celiac disease, autistic people for example, I am very confused by this very recent trend of people choosing to eat gluten free. I have seen many people mention it, including some high-profile athletes, but I am aware of no studies that show it has any benefits for any kinds of people, other than those that I previously mentioned. To each his own, I guess.
Many people find the transition to the gluten-free lifestyle (and it IS a lifestyle, I assure you), very difficult. I was just so happy to be properly diagnosed that I dove right in head first, and never looked back. I was never the kind of person who always had bread with my meals (unless I was eating a sandwich), or was always eating pasta, so for me the change wasn't so radical. Plus, about twelve years earlier I had decided to become a vegetarian, and eat organically, so to have to always be thinking about the foods that I was going to put into my body, was no big thing.
I have also been around many newly diagnosed Celiacs in my local support group, and in local stores, and I have seen their initial reactions run the gamut. I've seen people who get scared and panic, and those who accept it, and move on. What I hate to see in those situations, however, are other Celiacs who give them 'doom-and-gloom' scenarios where all foods will no longer have any flavor, and that things will never be the same. I have little patience for that attitude, but they are right in one area, however. Things never will be the same. But that doesn't mean you have to be a 'Negative Nellie' and expect the worse. I also disagree with those people in that foods will never taste good again. I have found gluten-free foods to be every bit as flavorful and regular foods. For me the only thing that has changed is the texture, and that's fine with me as long as I never have to be sick again.
So if you're a newly diagnosed Celiac, and you're reading this, don't panic. This is easy. You will adjust, and you will love your new life. Just remember to be your own advocate, and do your best.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to chat. If you would like to know more about me, click here.
P.S.
A few years ago when I was very stressed on a winter day, I wrote the story of the scary call from my doctor telling me I had to be admitted to the hospital, right up to being diagnosed and released. That story can be found here.
