#celiacstrong

Call for Abstract!!  Track 12 : Celiac DiseasesJoin us for an insightful CME/CPD accredited 14th World Gastroenterology, IBD & Hepatology Conference from December 17-19, 2024, in Dubai, UAE & Virtual. Hurry Up.    

As silly as this sounds, that's exactly what I asked my doctor when I found out I had Celiac Disease. I was sitting in his office, crying because I felt like my life was over (Ok, fine so I'm a little dramatic) No wheat? breads? PASTA??!! What the hell was I going to do? I was raised in an Italian household, I grew up eating lasagna for breakfast (no joke) My ricotta cookies are world famous (in my mind). 

I sat there, confused, pissed, and yet sort of relieved that it was now confirmed that I actually had something that made sense. I went through this for years, bloating, upset stomach, gas, I looked pregnant all the time, I would throw up and blame the restaurant for food poisoning, I woke up every morning, EVERY SINGLE MORNING, having to run to the bathroom. I went to  many different doctors and always heard the same thing. Chrons disease, Irritable Bowl, Stomach Ulcers, Heartburn. I was treated for those things and when nothing got better I just stopped looking into it. I accepted it because I felt like a crazy hypochondriac, plus who the hell wants to pay all of the co-pays for no results?? NOT ME!!! So I suffered, for years. I finally diagnosed myself with a "nervous stomach" and assumed that when I was in a stressful situation I would feel sick and just have to suffer. 

You are probably asking yourself how I found out I have Celiac Disease? Let me explain. In August of 2013 I ordered my mom an Edible Arrangement for her birthday, and of course I ate 98% of it. Shortly after I had horrible stomach pains and a rash all over my body.  Over the following weeks the same thing was happening, so I decided to go to the doctor. The doctor was referred to me by one of my customers at work who said he works miracles (did he ever!)  The interesting thing is when I went to see him I was only concerned about the rashes because I was so used to the stomach problems. After running some tests not only did he figure out that I had Celiac, I also am allergic to cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, and grapes. (everything that was in my mothers fruit basket) 

I couldn't believe it. These were things I have consumed my whole life, grapes? really? I sat there and felt lost. When I asked the doc about the potatoes his response to me was, "what does a potato have to do with wheat?" My answer..."I have no idea." What I wanted to say, "How the hell should I know, asshole!"....and that exactly how I felt. Clueless!

After about 2 weeks of being depressed and feeling helpless I woke up one morning and decided to take action.  From that day on, I researched my ass off. I bought books, magazines, googled everything possible, educated myself. I was like a sponge, thirsty for knowledge. I had to reprogram myself, everything I once did I can no longer do. It's basically like learning a new language. What gave me the most anxiety was the thought of having to prepare separate meals for me and my family. This was something I had to deal with and I didn't wan't it to affect them. So my goal was to be able to prepare the same meals that we all used to enjoy before, but to tweak them so you would never know the difference. I never expected what happened next. I lost 30 pounds. 30! I was never heavy but I did weigh 145 and I just couldn't seem to lose the weight. As soon as I started eating gluten free the weight just fell off. I am happier than I have ever been, my skin looks amazing, I am no longer depressed or have mood swings for no reason and I now weigh 115 pounds.

I have been Gluten and Dairy (a choice I made after I cut gluten out) free for 8 months now, and although I am fairly new at the game I am devoting all of my time and energy to finding the best possible GF foods on the market. I'm buying everything I can get my hands on and testing all of them.  I'll tell you which company makes the best tasting granola (Jessica's), oatmeal (Bakery on Main), peanut butter (Sunbutter, Earth Balance, Justin's). I'll tell you how to make homemade brownies or how to doctor up a store brand, and also which one to purchase in the first place (Glutino). I'll also tell you what I feel to be the worst and why. There are so many things  I wish I would have known so I didn't waste my time and money on things that seemed great, but turned out to be duds.

You can take my advice or leave it, the choice is up to you but if you take anything away from here let it be this...If you are going gluten free because you have Celiac Disease, want to lose weight, or just want to overall feel better at the end of the day, JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE CUTTING OUT GLUTEN DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO CUT OUT TASTE. Some of the most delicious food I have ever had has been on my journey of gluten freedom and what a wonderful ride it has been thus far.

Healthy and Happy Eats,