Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Feeling A Little Bit Sad


runnerjen

Recommended Posts

runnerjen Apprentice

Hi everyone, I just need to vent a little bit. I've been gluten-free for a few months now. Yesterday I was at Trader Joe's and picked up a bag of their new potato cheese gnocchi, hoping they were gluten-free. Alas, they were not, not that I'm surprised, but I was upset about it. I literally started to cry in Trader Joe's! I know I looked stupid, but I just couldn't help myself. I bought my items, went home and made myself a nice gluten-free dinner. But I'm still just a little sad about all of this. Does it get any easier??

Anyway, thanks for listening! :)

jen


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Corkdarrr Enthusiast

Hey Jen

I can SO sympathize. I've been gluten-free for 7 months now, but I still feel like I need to find a doctor who will prescribe me valium specifically to be taken before going to the grocery store. It's so frustrating! Especially because before all this happened, I used to LOVE to cook. Now it's a huge daily struggle just to figure out what I'm going to eat with the minimum amount of effort.

I'm sure it gets easier...I'm just not sure when it gets easier!

Hang in there

Courtney

jayhawkmom Enthusiast

Ahhhhh, I can sooo empathize.

I'd like to say that it gets easier, and sometimes it does seem that way. And, then all of a sudden you'll pick up an item you *know* is gluten-free - only to find out it's not - and it starts all over again.

We've been gluten-free since June and I fully admit, just last week this happened to me.

Tears were streaming down my face and I just could not grasp why certain foods that seem SO safe would be so harmful. Gnocchi would be something I'd totally assume was safe.

I'm sorry you are feeling sad, and I do understand. And, I'm certain there are LOTS of us who go through this.

fatladysings Newbie

Hi, I am a newbie to the board. I have a suggestion for you with trying to figure out what to cook for dinner since you love to cook. Record what your favorite meals are, or what you have eaten over the last month- gluten free of course... :rolleyes: Then make a permanent grocery list that you can save on your computer. When you are ready to go to the store, go through and delete the items you don't need, print it off (or write it down if you don't have a printer) then DON'T save it. That way it takes some of the thinking out of your day! Also, if you discover that you have found a new gluten-free product or you find out that one you have been using all along has gluten make sure you adjust your shopping list accordingly. Also, I have been taking this as my personal challenge. I LOVE to cook...when I feel good. Which lately, not so much!!! :( But since I am working on changing my diet....again, I hope to feel better soon. Anyway, try to think of it as your opportunity to show your artistic gourmet talent. Then, could you remind me of this in about a month? :D

dionnek Enthusiast

Oh yes, I've been gluten-free for 8 months and just went to a new Super Walmart by us b/c I heard that they label things gluten-free (their brand anyway) and I could not find anything with a gluten-free on it so I started crying. But then I got to the cereal aisle and saw they had all the new Disney cereals that are gluten-free (Dora, Little Einsteins and Mickey clubhouse I think) for really cheap and I was smiling again :)

Phyllis28 Apprentice

I am sorry you are feeling sad but being gluten free will get easier. You will incorporate coping strategies into you daily life which will lesson the frustration.

There are lots of gluten free recipes on this site and on the internet you can choose from. The bulk of the meals I cook are naturally gluten free. My cooking strategy is to make a good tasting meal, not to replicate the standard American diet. I make my own spaghetti sauce which I serve over white rice. I have also put it over a baked potato, mashed potatoes and layered with corn tortillas and cheese.

Below is the link to Shauna James

gabby Enthusiast

When this happens to me, I don't allow myself to leave the store sad and frustrated and feeling left out. So along with the inevitable plain chicken breast and broccoli for dinner, I also pick up some flowers from the store (just a small bunch, or even just one stem of something...whatever they carry at the grocery store).

This way, it helps me to think of eating gluten-free as something that brings a bit of cheer into my life.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Slackermommy Rookie

When I have gotten REALLY down, and I save this for those emergency days...I order myself a lobster and have them steam it, go home and melt some butter, and I always feel better.

I have been gluten free for 5 months myself, and I find it a bit of a roller coaster myself...

Keep on chugging...

:)

gfp Enthusiast
Hi everyone, I just need to vent a little bit. I've been gluten-free for a few months now. Yesterday I was at Trader Joe's and picked up a bag of their new potato cheese gnocchi, hoping they were gluten-free. Alas, they were not, not that I'm surprised, but I was upset about it. I literally started to cry in Trader Joe's! I know I looked stupid, but I just couldn't help myself. I bought my items, went home and made myself a nice gluten-free dinner. But I'm still just a little sad about all of this. Does it get any easier??

Anyway, thanks for listening! :)

jen

Yes and gnocci are really easy to make at home if a bit time consuming....

I usually make batches and freeze at least half...

Just follow any gnocci recipe and use a light gluten-free flour and optionally a little xanthan gum....

Its not something you can run home and make .. boiling the pots takes ages and letting em cool a while but once you make them the rest is simple and they freeze really well.... I actualy think theyre easier to cook from frozen anyway... just make sure they don't freeze in a lump... icecube trays work great !

Iamstacie Newbie

Hi...I can relate to how you are feeling. I was just diagnosed last week. I would almost rather deal with the stomach problems then this. I cry whenever I go into Wegman's. I have not gone out to eat yet as I am afraid to deal with all of the special requests. This is so difficult for me because I love food, dining out, cooking. I am also waiting to find out if I have ankylosing spondylitis. Do you know if anyone has celiac and this other autoimmune disease? If you need to talk please write back...I could use the support too. I don't have any friends with celiac, do you?

darlindeb25 Collaborator

Gabby--yes, flowers are a great idea. They brighten the day so well. Yes, we do all go through this in the beginning.

babygirl1234 Rookie

thats why you need to read the ingreats or read the lable to make sure its gluten-free its hard i still go though it and ive been gluten-free for 10 years or so

snapple Apprentice

Hey, it does get better. And there will certainly be days where you're going to feel down in the dumps. But then there are going to be days when you find something gluten free that you didn't know whas (cheese balls for me) and you get really excited (I was jumping up and down in the store, totally embarassed my hubby) and happy.

Anyway, FYI Wegman's labels their own brand of food with a green dot and a G if it is gluten free. And they have a lot of of choices.

Lastly, for those of you who HATE eating plain chicken breast (me), try mixing a cup of storebought pesto, gluten-free of course, with some grated parm cheese, aprox 2 cut up roasted red peppers, and about a tsp of diced/crushed garlic( from the jar) together. Heat it up in the microwave a little and spoon it over your chicken. Wowzers is that good! No more plain chicken.

anyway, you have my support and understanding!

Kate

UR Groovy Explorer

--

GeoffCJ Enthusiast

I can 100% relate. I don't have too many issues when I shop in the grocery store, but I'm in an MBA program, and there are TONS of events, speakers and panels and presentations. I'm very active in my school, so I go to 1-2 events a week. Nearly all have food, often Pizza, which I love. That gets pretty hard, I've certainly felt like crying at times. And then I get frustrated with myself for being sad. Which makes me more upset...

And I'm a 5'10", 275 lb, masculine, active leader at my school. So crying over pizza would certainly be noticed!

The other night I was flipping channels, and there was an entire show on the food chanel about brownies. I watched the whole thing, drooling. My wife accused me of being a masochist.

Geoff

key Contributor

I have been doing this 18 months and I don't feel like it is truelly getting any better. For me it seems to go in cycles. For awhile I seem to enjoy gluten free foods I can have and then I am back to feeling depressed that I can't eat out, the rest my family eats gluten and I make it for them and watch them eat it, they order delicious pizza and eat it in front of me. I don't blame them. They shouldn't have to suffer, because of me. I wouldn't eat this way if I didn't get SO ill from eating it.

I am sorry that you had a bad day. It really does seem to come into every area of our lives.

Monica

Queen Serenity Newbie

I'm so sorry that you are feeling so sad. I know that it is very hard to get used to it. But, with time, it will get easier. I have been living with this for 11 years now. You just have to say to yourself--"I have to stick to my diet, or I will get very sick." Soon enough, your mind and body will make the switch from gluten to gluten free. And yes, your mind is the key to acceptance. I'm not saying it's easy, because to be honest with you, it can take up to 1 year for your body to heal. Sometimes it takes longer. But, once you overcome these hurdles, you should be ok. So, good luck to you, and to all the newbies out there. Keep reading the boards to learn new things. :)

Vicki

Viola 1 Rookie

I'm another one that has been at this for a long time. Mostly I've adjusted and I just do 'routine' shopping. Pick up the stuff I know. What up-sets me is when they change a formally gluten free product and put malt or something stupid in it. :angry: I can deal with the stuff that's always been off the list pretty much.

It's funny because my non celiac hubby has got far more patience than me for reading labels. It's him that tends to find the new, marked gluten free products. :lol: Good thing he doesn't mind helping with the shopping.

When you get really sad, buy a gluten free chocolate that you can melt, maybe a plain milk chocolate, or dark chocolate bar. Then go over to the produce section and find some strawberries, or if not in season, a banana will do. Then go home and melt that chocolate in the micro and sit and dip your fruit and pamper yourself :P

Oh yes ... Gabby .. I love the flowers suggestion too!

2wheels4eyes Explorer

I've been gluten-free since August (yay!) and it's definitely gotten better for me. But it's still a loss--and still pretty new--so there are definitely times I want to cry about it all. The worst for me is not the grocery store but restaurants and especially parties/events revolving around food. Absolutely brutal still.

One thing I've noticed though is that I'm missing things I never thought I'd miss and things that I wouldn't guess would make me feel better actually do--e.g., pre-gluten-free, I never ate whatever toast/bread/buns/etc. were served with the meal at a restaurant. Now though, if I bring my own along I definitely eat it and then I don't feel left out when everyone else is having their appetizers/bread/etc.

I guess what I'm agreeing with an earlier poster-- try to be creative about replacing what you're missing rather than going for exact replicas.

Then again, there's nothing wrong with a good howl on the shoulder of a loved one once in a while...

That and reading the boards here has helped immensely. :)

Paulr Rookie

I'M NOT TO SURE WHAT KIND OF FOOD YOUR TALKING ABOUT BUT MY WIFE CALLED EVERY COMPANY SHE COULD THINK OF AND THEY GLADLY SENT US GLUTEN FREE PRODUCT LISTS OR GO TO. WWW.PENNY.CA AND GO TO CELIAC CANADA MAILING LIST THEY HAVE THE CANADIAN AND AMERICAN PRODUCT LIST YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED ,YOU WILL FEEL HUMAN AGAIN AFTER YOU SEE THIS GOOD LUCK

Saz Explorer

If I see a new product that doesn't obviously contain gluten, I find it easier to say to me myself "I bet I can't have it but I'll check just in case" . I find that by assuming it does have gluten in I don't get as disapointed and if it turns out that I can eat it, its a nice surprise. I'm not saying that I still don't get annoyed, espicially if its only one ingredient in the food that I can't have, but I just find that I get less frustrated.

I also like others ideas of buying yourself something really nice that you can have. Even going for a coffee and piece of gluten free cake (even if it is just the standard orange and almond or jaffa) can help, I agree that some of them aren't the best tasting but it does help to make you feel "normal"

heathen Apprentice

i broke down at a fast food drive-in and during an oreo commercial. it does get better, i promise.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,798
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Brookssarah89
    Newest Member
    Brookssarah89
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.4k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Manaan2
      Hi Trents-Thanks for reading and sharing insight.  We need all the help we can get and it's super appreciated.  She is currently dairy, soy and oat free and those have mostly been completely excluded from her diet since the diagnosis (we tried going back on dairy and oats at different times for a bit, didn't see a significant difference but have now cut out again just to be extra safe since her issues are so persistent.  We did cut eggs out for about 3 months and didn't notice significant difference there, either.  The only one we haven't specifically cut out completely for any portion of time is corn, however, we've kept it minimal in all of our diets for a long time.  She definitely goes 3-4 weeks without any corn products at times and still has issues, but I'm guessing that's not long enough to confirm that it isn't causing issues.   We could definitely try to go longer just to double check.  Thanks again!   
    • Jordan23
      Ok so know one knows about cross reactions from yeast,corn, potatoes, eggs, quinoa ,chocolate, milk, soy, and a few more I forgot.  There all gluten free but share a similar structure to gluten proteins. I use to be able to eat potatoes but now all of a sudden I was stumped and couldn't figure it out when I got shortness of breath like I was suffocating.  Then figured it out it was the potatoes.  They don't really taste good anyways. Get the white yams and cherry red 🍠 yams as a sub they taste way better. It's a cross reaction! Google foods that cross react with celiacs.  Not all of them you will cross react too. My reactions now unfortunately manifest in my chest and closes everything up . Life sucks then we die. Stay hopeful and look and see different companies that work for you . Lentils from kroger work for me raw in the bag and says nothing about gluten free but it works for me just rinse wellllll.....don't get discouraged and stay hopeful and don't pee off god
    • K6315
      Hi Lily Ivy. Thanks for responding. Did you have withdrawal? If so, what was it like and for how long?
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @Doris Barnes! You do realize don't you that the "gluten free" label does not mean the same thing as "free of gluten"? According to FDA regulations, using the "gluten free" label simply means the product does not contain gluten in excess of 20 ppm. "Certified Gluten Free" is labeling deployed by an independent testing group known as GFCO which means the product does not contain gluten in excess of 10 ppm. Either concentration of gluten can still cause a reaction in folks who fall into the more sensitive spectrum of the celiac community. 20 ppm is safe for most celiacs. Without knowing how sensitive you are to small amounts of gluten, I cannot speak to whether or not the Hu Kitechen chocolates are safe for you. But it sounds like they have taken sufficient precautions at their factory to ensure that this product will be safe for the large majority of celiacs.
    • Doris Barnes
      Buying choclate, I recently boght a bar from Hu Kitchen (on your list of recommended candy. It says it is free of gluten. However on the same package in small print it says "please be aware that the product is produced using equipment that also processes nuts, soy, milk and wheat. Allergen cleans are made prior to production". So my question is can I trust that there is no cross contamination.  If the allergy clean is not done carefully it could cause gluten exposure. Does anyone know of a choclate brand that is made at a facility that does not also use wheat, a gluten free facility. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...