Day 7

[JerryK]

Well I'm on to day 7. Feel pretty good. You should see my stools, picture perfect, I should post an image

Yesterday was shopping day and we went in highly motivated to find me gluten-free free stuff to eat.

I was actually quite surprised at the way my wife is jumping in there and looking at the labels and acting concerned. I think she's worried, that without some support, I won't stay gluten-free and she's

probably right.

It was quite stunning looking at labels and finding out just how much stuff contains gluten. Virtually all pre-packaged foods contain gluten. All those chicken strips that I like to put on my salad are a no no.

We were able, thru careful label reading, to find me a plethora of good things to eat. Cheese, unprocessed meat and vegetables. Fritos are a good snack as long as you don't pick the Chili Cheese ones. Cottage Cheese, Yogurt, Avacodos, Popcorn...It's all good.

So, it's all good. What typically contains gluten is the processed stuff that we shouldn't really be eating anyway.

One last comment, I have noticed a pick up in energy as well as (dare I say this) libido. Who would've guessed? J

[Guhlia]

Glad to hear you're doing well. How are you feeling about the whole Celiac thing now? Is this still a trial period?

[kbabe1968]

Jerry - I'm on day 4! Newbie, twobie.

I think support is so crucial! My husband is 100% supportive, to the point of doing it with me. Of course, I'm the SAHM who takes care of all the grocery buying and cooking in the house, so they really don't have a choice!!! LOL

I can't believe how different I feel in just 4 days. It's astounding to me.

Keep up the good work! HOW COOL!

[JerryK]

Glad to hear you're doing well. How are you feeling about the whole Celiac thing now? Is this still a trial period?

I guess time will tell. I'm still not totally convinced that what I'm feeling isn't a placebo affect. Although I don't know how a placebo affect can make my poo better

I do think there is a lot of evidence out there that Gluten is bad for us. How much is hype and how much is reality, I can't even begin to say. In my mind, I want things to be black and white...it's either known bad or known good...I don't like it when there is a gray area....I want to see it, touch it, feel it and know it is real. I want a doctor to diagnose me and say cut and dried YOU HAVE CELIAC. I think for many of us, that's not going to happen. Unless you are starving to death and everything you eat is

running right thru you, medicine will likely just consider you a hypocondriac.

The bottom line is, I will listen to my body and do what makes me feel best. At worst, the gluten-free diet isn't going to hurt me, because I'll eat less of those bad processed foods. At best I'm avoiding something that could potentially cause me great harm.

I've committed to giving it six months. Am I likely to continue beyond that? Sure, especially if at the end of six months I eat gluten and start feeling bad again. Hope that was an o.k. answer. j

[Electra]

Man my hubby is so NOT supportive and it's killing me. He tries to be so he asks things like "Can you have that" but then when we were out the other day shopping for furniture for an hour I kept saying I'm so starved and then he pulls into McDonalds and says "You don't mind if I eat here do you" I was pissed just because he knows I'm the one with the problem, but how in the world am I suppose to be starved for hours and then he gets to eat in front of me UG!! I ended up getting fries and hoping they are safe, but he gave me the runaround and really didn't want me eating them BAHUMBUG!!! I have no idea how I'm going to get through this!!

[CarlaB]

Jerry, I saw all those changes, too ... including the increased libido ... didn't realize men needed an increase there!!

You are right, the stuff we can't eat, we shouldn't be eating anyway!!

Ians makes gluten-free breaded chicken nuggets. I don't know if it's breaded ones you use on your salad, but these are good. I buy them at Wild Oats.

Angie, the McDonald fries are safe, except for the high probability of contamination (I personally wouldn't risk it). Most fast food fries ARE NOT safe though because they're cooked in the same fryer as the wheat coated items. You need to check.

Next time hubby does that, say, "Yes I mind, I'm as hungry as you are, let's go somewhere we can both eat." You need to stand up for yourself, then he'll start thinking ... when we're starving many of us get a little self-centered! Chick-fil-a waffle fries and grilled chicken salad (no croutons, no sunflower seeds, get the tortilla stips instead) are safe. So is Wendy's chili and Frosties. You have to ask at each Wendy's whether they have a dedicated fryer for their fries, and watch how they're preparing food to see if you need to worry about their fries being contaminated (if the nuggets are near them, I wouldn't risk it).

[Guhlia]

Next time hubby does that, say, "Yes I mind, I'm as hungry as you are, let's go somewhere we can both eat." You need to stand up for yourself, then he'll start thinking ... when we're starving many of us get a little self-centered! Chick-fil-a waffle fries and grilled chicken salad (no croutons, no sunflower seeds, get the tortilla stips instead) are safe. So is Wendy's chili and Frosties. You have to ask at each Wendy's whether they have a dedicated fryer for their fries, and watch how they're preparing food to see if you need to worry about their fries being contaminated (if the nuggets are near them, I wouldn't risk it).

You need to check with each Chick-fil-a also as some do not use dedicated fryers. Ours doesn't.

[tarnalberry]

So, it's all good. What typically contains gluten is the processed stuff that we shouldn't really be eating anyway.

Heh. And people wonder why there's a small contingent of us who's anal retentive about the "eat whole, naturally gluten-free, unprocessed foods" approach.

Glad things are going so well for you, and that your wife is such a wonderful help!

[Nancym]

All those chicken strips that I like to put on my salad are a no no.

I get some from Trader Joe's (frozen "Just grilled chicken") If you have one nearby.

One last comment, I have noticed a pick up in energy as well as (dare I say this) libido. Who would've guessed? J

Hey, that might explain why your wife is so supportive!

[luvkin]

Yeah JerryK!

I have gone 7 months without gluten. At first it was hard. At some restaurants I wanted to cry. I feel soo much better now being gluten free is very easy. It just became a matter of retraining my shopping habits.

My husband is a big help. All dinners at home are completely gluten free, with no complaints. His life easier now that I feel better.

Stick with it it will become second nature.

[zansu]

Man my hubby is so NOT supportive and it's killing me. He tries to be so he asks things like "Can you have that" but then when we were out the other day shopping for furniture for an hour I kept saying I'm so starved and then he pulls into McDonalds and says "You don't mind if I eat here do you" I was pissed just because he knows I'm the one with the problem, but how in the world am I suppose to be starved for hours and then he gets to eat in front of me UG!! I ended up getting fries and hoping they are safe, but he gave me the runaround and really didn't want me eating them BAHUMBUG!!! I have no idea how I'm going to get through this!!

OK, mine isn't _that_ bad. But we still have fights about the breadcrumbs ALL over the kitchen (he likes the crusty breads that really fly!)

BTW, I ALWAYS have a LARA bar in my purse. They don't keep a long time, so you have to eat them and repace them . it isn't lunch, but it can give me a chance to get where I can eat.

[happygirl]

Jerry, happy to hear you are finding things that work for you! Let us know if you are looking for specific products or replacements for non-safe things that are in your house right now.

Having the support of your spouse, for many, is essential. Having the support of my husband and whole family eminds me that this really is a minor part of my life. They are rewarded by helpin me though---they have a healthy wife/family member. The benefits, for those of whom gluten is a problem for, are great.

[kbabe1968]

GEESH! I thought my hsuband was being supportive, then last night he says "oh, so you're not buying any bread anymore?" LOL! I wanted to strangle him!

I guess I can't make everyone gluten free like I'd like. And I know if my kids see bread in the house they'll want it.

I WILL NOT let this make me fail. I WILL do this.