NEWLY DIAGNOSED

[KJ2004]

Just got the diagnosis today - DH with latent celiac.
I've done the searches online here, and read all the good stuff with the big words about immunoglobulin and enteropathy and I know all about everything I need to know... except I'm starving and I'm looking around my kitchen and I'm ready to just sob my way into next year.

Is there any kind of mainstream food I can eat? what about breakfast cereals? I'm just totally spooked and facing a hard-core lifestyle change here. I could really use a "there there" and maybe a list of not so scary (or expensive) foods that I can turn to. Maybe a "when I was diagnosed" story? Is it true that I'm never going to have another slice of Pizza again? *wimper*

I don't think I can stomach porkchops and baked potatoes for the rest of my life.

Thanks!
kj

[Cynmis]

Hi Kj,

There, there now, it WILL be okay!

When my 13 yr old daughter was diagnosed, I thought she'd never eat again. She literally lived on bread, pasta and pizza. Her diet is very limited right now but that is because she is a very picky eater to begin with and this diet didn't help. But I am learning to make things for her and if I didn't have to go to work I could share some with you.

http://www.clanthompson.com/index.php3. This has a very good list of mainstream products that you can eat. You can either download a demo list or purchase a more extensive list that they update for you 3-4 times a year.

This forum is a great place to start. Search around and you'll learn more and get links to other places to learn even more.

It is a lifestyle change and it can be difficult to get used to, we are still getting used to it and it can be frustrating but in the long run you will feel better and it gets easier so hang in there okay?

You can always get an encouraging word from here and it does help!

[aklap]

Hi KJ,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's hard. It will take you awhile to adjust to the idea (it took me a number of months). Both mentally & physically. Yes, you will go thru a mourning & withdrawal process. Everybody usually does. This is a LIFE changing event!!! It's hard to comprehend that you will never be able to have some of your favorite foods ever again!! But you know what?? There are GF replacements that are every bit as good as those that are polluted

I am one without an offical diagnosis...blood tests were normal, biospy normal...but yet I still had reflux, gas, bloating, abdom. pain, feeling hung over, brain fog...I felt like this for 1.5 years. I thought I was dying!!! No one had any answers. I started researching and came across boards like this...it gave me my life back. That's the readers digest condensed version. The full version of my GF journey.

Cynmis is right - poke around here. There's lots of info to learn. There is a mainstream food list in "Proper Foods" (I think). It's called "Chicago Mainstream Food list". There is PLENTY in the 50 pages to eat!!! Also in that forum is celiac.com's Safe & Forbidden food ingredients. Print them out and take them too the store and read every label!!!!

As far as the pizza...you can make ones at home that are 100 times bettter than delivery!! My favorite...Chebe Pizza Crust. My wife (who is not GF) loves this too!! "When am I going to realize that the pizza we make at home is always better than the stuff you order" was a recent comment after she ordered a Domino's. If you like pepperoni - Hormel's pepperoni is GF!

Hmmm mainstream cereal is another story...most have malt flavoring added. Rice Krispys?? Not GF. Coco & Fruity Pebbles are GF!! I opt for fruity pebbles myself.

KJ, good luck in your GF journey!! I know you will be just fine. Take one day at a time and do your best each day.

Take care!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[daughteroftheking]

I would be more than glad to help you because I know how difficult it was when I was first diagnosed. I felt as if I couldn't eat anything as well. Its been 3 years now and I'm alive and happy and have found many many things to eat and replace! If you have any specific questions, just e-mail me or post something on here.

As far as the pizza goes...I but the gluten free pantry's french bread mix and make the pizza dough recipe and add italian seasonings to the dough. Then just add your favorite toppings - I like pepperoni (hormels is gluten free) and cheese. Most pizza sauces are ok too (i just but one's at wal-mart or the local grocery store - just make sure to read the labels). My boyfriend even likes this pizza and he's a huge pizza fan and not on a gluten free diet - so that says a lot! I hope that helps.

Please write if you have more questions or if you need more ideas/help!!!

[daughteroftheking]

sorry i forgot...about mainstream cereals...I haven't found any that are gluten free all of them have malt in them (even corn flakes or rice crispies). I buy corn flakes from a health food store or this one grocery store (Wegman's) has a bunch of gluten free food (including cereals) so thats a good option. I'm not sure where you live though you might not have them but there might be something similar! I like Nature's Path Corn Flakes (www.naturespath.com) and Health Valley's Rice Crunch-Ems. They taste and look just like regular cereal. Hope that helps...

[newtonogluten]

I am also new to Celiac disease. I have heard about this list of brand name products that I can eat, but haven't been able to find it on the web! Any help???

[newtonogluten]

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease last Wednesday. I am not a picky eater, so things won’t be too bad for me. It is really really hard to find good foods w/o gluten. I am a cereal person, and I can’t find anything that I like. I tried Gorilla Munch & almost puked! There has to be something tastier that is good for you???

Thanks

[aklap]

[aklap]

[maria1223]

If you have celiac or spure you can only eat Rice cereals. that is a fact. don't eat anything else or you will get all your symptoms back.
maria

[aklap]

[daughteroftheking]

Yep thats right AL...I have cereals that are made w/ corn and rice (from health food stores) that say Gluten free/Wheat Free right on the package! That's why there are also rice, corn and potato pastas out there for us too!

[maria1223]

rice chex are ok for you to eat my GI Dr. told me & you are right that there is malt in some cereals that are rice based. I eat baby rice cereal with Bananas or apple sauce in it for hot cereal It is pretty good. use soy milk with it if you use milk

[daughteroftheking]

In my research, chex mix is NOT ok to eat if you have Celiac because it has Barley Malt on it which is a derrivitive of wheat (same thing beer is made out of) and so that's why we can't eat any of those kinds of cereal. To check it out, go here: http://www.chex.com/products/rice_chex.asp

I also eat cream of rice hot cereal from Nabisco (not the baby food kind) and its better...you can find that in almost any grocery store and it says gluten free right on the box; I add some brown sugar on it...its delicious for a warm breakfast (and its fast too!).

Hope that helps!

[daughteroftheking]

[quote="aklap"]Have you tried CoCo Pebbles or Fruity Pebbles?? One of the few mainstream cereals that isn't polluted with gluten. [quote]

I did read the ingredients on these and it is true that there doesn't appear to be any contamination in these cereals. BUT...these cereals are made by POST which makes a ton of other cereals that do contain wheat/gluten...so there could definately be some cross contamination. I am not going to risk trying these since I've been so healthy lately. Just a thought...I would rather play it safe and stay healthy!