My War with Gluten

As most of you know, I was diagnosed as being gluten intolerant last January. It has been a very hard year trying to change my eating habits, and unfortunately, I feel like it is only getting worse. I would go on “wheat benders” as I refer to them as, where I would gorge on as many gluten-filled items as possible, only to feel horrible for weeks to come. This would prompt me to go very strict, only to find that a little gluten had slipped in unknowingly, making me ill again. The constant struggle and discomfort was just too much for me, so I decided to go both gluten and lactose free at the beginning of this month. In addition, I started a food diary to track my daily intake and how I felt afterwards. I hope this will help me see exactly what I can and cannot eat and prevent further poisoning.

Unfortunately, it’s been a bumpy road. I’ve noticed I can’t really eat out (which breaks my heart), and that dairy definitely effects me just as bad, if not worse, than gluten. Not a very easy reality to adjust to. If any of you readers have any advice to dish out, I am all ears. I miss living a life without any stomach pain.

  • Karen11r

    hi Meli, how do you feel about raw foods? Check out this blog http://www.pure2raw.com. THey have great recipes, i’ve tried some just cuz I love the flavors.

    have you had quinoa pasta? I’ve seen so many gluten free products out there..even beer. :)

    • Anonymous

      I haven’t tried raw foods, but I’m open to it if it means that I will feel better. I eat quinoa pasta all the time (the beer is AWFUL), but I feel like I need something more.

      • Karen11r

        Check out some recipes…..very easy…it’s very dessert driven :)

  • Karen11r

    hi Meli, how do you feel about raw foods? Check out this blog http://www.pure2raw.com. THey have great recipes, i’ve tried some just cuz I love the flavors.

    have you had quinoa pasta? I’ve seen so many gluten free products out there..even beer. :)

    • melificent

      I haven’t tried raw foods, but I’m open to it if it means that I will feel better. I eat quinoa pasta all the time (the beer is AWFUL), but I feel like I need something more.

      • Karen11r

        Check out some recipes…..very easy…it’s very dessert driven :)

  • Anonymous

    Hey, Meli my heart goes out to you. My son can not eat gluten and many other things. You may try going on a plant/ meat diet then slowly adding in grains and nuts. Also look out for foods that are high in mold i.e. peanuts. I also know a great nutritionist that you could work with over the phone and via e-mail. If you want her number let me know. Here is a link to her blog:

    http://www.seasonjohnson.blogspot.com

    • Anonymous

      Thank you so much Neeka.
      I’ll check out the link!

  • Anika_Burke

    Hey, Meli my heart goes out to you. My son can not eat gluten and many other things. You may try going on a plant/ meat diet then slowly adding in grains and nuts. Also look out for foods that are high in mold i.e. peanuts. I also know a great nutritionist that you could work with over the phone and via e-mail. If you want her number let me know. Here is a link to her blog:

    http://www.seasonjohnson.blogspot.com

    • melificent

      Thank you so much Neeka.
      I’ll check out the link!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-Freedman-Kessler/26309040 Jessica Freedman-Kessler

    You and my dude-friend need to talk if I can lure him down to Miami. He’s not in exactly the same boat, but he’s got Crohn’s that he finds is mostly set off by Gluten.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-Freedman-Kessler/26309040 Jessica Freedman-Kessler

    You and my dude-friend need to talk if I can lure him down to Miami. He’s not in exactly the same boat, but he’s got Crohn’s that he finds is mostly set off by Gluten.

  • http://pearuhsaurus.blogspot.com/ Pari$

    My dad’s girlfriend has celiac disease, so over the past several years, I’ve been learning more about her eating habits. She tends to drink ciders, especially “Strongbow.” (http://www.strongbowcider.com/home.html) I also had a lactose intolerant roommate, so learning how to cook for the two of us was a new experience as well. You can still enjoy pizza that is for sure! At green markets, they sell millet/flax seed pizza crusts (they have gluten free options at Mellow Mushroom as well for when you dine out), and you can always throw a ton of great stuff on without the cheese. Are you omitting all dairy? Or just cow’s milk? If it’s just cow’s milk, you could throw on a bit of feta or goat cheese just to get a bit of that dairy fix. Anyway! I know that options are getting better as time goes on – My heart goes out to you.

  • http://southerntyptology.blogspot.com/ Paris

    My dad’s girlfriend has celiac disease, so over the past several years, I’ve been learning more about her eating habits. She tends to drink ciders, especially “Strongbow.” (http://www.strongbowcider.com/home.html) I also had a lactose intolerant roommate, so learning how to cook for the two of us was a new experience as well. You can still enjoy pizza that is for sure! At green markets, they sell millet/flax seed pizza crusts (they have gluten free options at Mellow Mushroom as well for when you dine out), and you can always throw a ton of great stuff on without the cheese. Are you omitting all dairy? Or just cow’s milk? If it’s just cow’s milk, you could throw on a bit of feta or goat cheese just to get a bit of that dairy fix. Anyway! I know that options are getting better as time goes on – My heart goes out to you.

  • http://twitter.com/MzAray Mz Adrienne

    Meli,
    I second the suggestion of working with a nutritionist if you can. You may want to try a total elimination diet if it seems like multiple foods are setting you off, then slowly add things back if you’re feeling better so you know for sure what’s doing what.

    As for the gluten and lactose intolerances, I know that it sucks but fortunately we’re in an age where there are many decent alternatives to both. I’m lactose intolerant and I don’t miss any milk products except for cheese (which the tofu alternatives, etc, I just find unacceptable — so I’ve learned to live without it). I find that avocado adds the same creaminess/flavor I look for in cheese for things like eggs, sandwiches, etc. For milk, I either use vanilla soy milk or coconut milk, which are a little sweeter but go nicely in cereal and with coffee or tea. There’s also almond milk which has a richer, nuttier flavor and isn’t bad. For the sweet stuff, my favorite is coconut milk ice cream. I am obsessed with the flavor of coconut as is, so these are just delicious (as the name says) to me: http://www.turtlemountain.com/

    I used to push through trying to eat things that I knew would destroy me later, but there definitely comes a breaking point where feeling normal becomes the priority. I am glad you’re taking the steps to get it under control!

    xo A

  • http://twitter.com/MzAray Mz Adrienne

    Meli,
    I second the suggestion of working with a nutritionist if you can. You may want to try a total elimination diet if it seems like multiple foods are setting you off, then slowly add things back if you’re feeling better so you know for sure what’s doing what.

    As for the gluten and lactose intolerances, I know that it sucks but fortunately we’re in an age where there are many decent alternatives to both. I’m lactose intolerant and I don’t miss any milk products except for cheese (which the tofu alternatives, etc, I just find unacceptable — so I’ve learned to live without it). I find that avocado adds the same creaminess/flavor I look for in cheese for things like eggs, sandwiches, etc. For milk, I either use vanilla soy milk or coconut milk, which are a little sweeter but go nicely in cereal and with coffee or tea. There’s also almond milk which has a richer, nuttier flavor and isn’t bad. For the sweet stuff, my favorite is coconut milk ice cream. I am obsessed with the flavor of coconut as is, so these are just delicious (as the name says) to me: http://www.turtlemountain.com/

    I used to push through trying to eat things that I knew would destroy me later, but there definitely comes a breaking point where feeling normal becomes the priority. I am glad you’re taking the steps to get it under control!

    xo A