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

New And Slightly Overwhelmed!


nikelodeon79

Recommended Posts

nikelodeon79 Rookie

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right section! :unsure: I didn't see a section for introductions or anything.

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Basically, the doctor (to whom I am grateful to for actually recognizing my long list of symptoms were all related to this one thing, and for ordering the tests in the first place) told me on the phone that I have Celiac Disease, briefly outlined what it is, and sent me on my merry way. My health insurance won't pay for a nutritionist, so I'm basically on my own. I'm very glad I discovered this forum!

For the first few days, I ate nothing but corn and rice because I knew I could eat it, LOL. A friend found out that Outback Steakhouse had a gluten-free menu so she took me to eat there... I felt like a ravenous wolf!

At any rate, I'm doing better now, and slowly learning what I can and cannot eat. Pre-diagnosis, my diet was absolutely terrible (almost exclusively processed foods) so I'm excited to start eating and feeling better. Most everyone in my life has been very supportive.

My in-laws are frantic to do something to help. They keep buying me gluten-free groceries (yay!) and keep asking me for a list of things that I need. They are currently trying to sign me up for the "Gluten Free Club," which I'm trying to (politely) decline, since this forum has so much free information, and I've been able to find a lot of free recipes on the web, anyway.

What I'm really trying to come up with is a list of staples that I should give to them. This list can include items that have made a gluten-free lifestyle easier (breadmaker, extra pots & utensils, etc.) and grocery items (I do have a Whole Foods nearby). My entire household won't be going gluten-free... just me (my husband and brother will be eating a limited gluten diet, but will not totally cut out gluten).

Tips for saving money will also be appreciated. My boss got fed up with me missing so much work and, despite the fact that I was finally able to go to him with a diagnosis, decided to cut my hours. So now... my food budget will increase while my income decreases. :(


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



heatherjane Contributor

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right section! :unsure: I didn't see a section for introductions or anything.

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Basically, the doctor (to whom I am grateful to for actually recognizing my long list of symptoms were all related to this one thing, and for ordering the tests in the first place) told me on the phone that I have Celiac Disease, briefly outlined what it is, and sent me on my merry way. My health insurance won't pay for a nutritionist, so I'm basically on my own. I'm very glad I discovered this forum!

For the first few days, I ate nothing but corn and rice because I knew I could eat it, LOL. A friend found out that Outback Steakhouse had a gluten-free menu so she took me to eat there... I felt like a ravenous wolf!

At any rate, I'm doing better now, and slowly learning what I can and cannot eat. Pre-diagnosis, my diet was absolutely terrible (almost exclusively processed foods) so I'm excited to start eating and feeling better. Most everyone in my life has been very supportive.

My in-laws are frantic to do something to help. They keep buying me gluten-free groceries (yay!) and keep asking me for a list of things that I need. They are currently trying to sign me up for the "Gluten Free Club," which I'm trying to (politely) decline, since this forum has so much free information, and I've been able to find a lot of free recipes on the web, anyway.

What I'm really trying to come up with is a list of staples that I should give to them. This list can include items that have made a gluten-free lifestyle easier (breadmaker, extra pots & utensils, etc.) and grocery items (I do have a Whole Foods nearby). My entire household won't be going gluten-free... just me (my husband and brother will be eating a limited gluten diet, but will not totally cut out gluten).

Tips for saving money will also be appreciated. My boss got fed up with me missing so much work and, despite the fact that I was finally able to go to him with a diagnosis, decided to cut my hours. So now... my food budget will increase while my income decreases. :(

I don't have a lot of time to write at the moment...but just wanted to give you a few tips...others will post:

- Since you're still new, it's wise for many reasons to stay on a simple diet...eat very little processed food and avoid restaurants. This will help you heal faster, avoid cross contamination, and save money. Plus, it's healthier.

- My parents bought me my own set of pots/pans/cuttingboards, etc, for me only to use when I come visit them. They store them in big plastic bins and take them out when I visit. They don't have to spend lots of money... my folks got my cookware at Big Lots and all the extras at the dollar store.

- As for living with gluten eaters, make sure you have a segregated area in your kitchen where no gluten is allowed. Have your own toaster, cutting board, etc. Also make sure any condiments you have in the fridge are clearly marked as yours to keep gluteny utensils out (as with jelly, mayo, etc)

Hope that gives you a good start. Other people will chime in... keep asking questions. :)

scarlett77 Apprentice

Welcome and glad you are on the road to recovery! This place is a great resource for information and personal experience. I also like reading blogs by "Gluten Free Girl & the Chef" as well as "Gluten Free Goddess" some great recipes and ideas on those sites as well (just google them for the links). I've also found some great information from "Living Without" magazine, but it was a gift subscription so while nice, I'm not sure I would have paid for it myself. Specialty gluten free staples for me are:

Tamari (I use the SanJ I believe which I get at Whole Foods)

Udi's bread

Pamela's Pancake & Baking Mix

Pamela's Bread Mix

boxed Mac & Cheese (Annie's or DeBoles)

Pasta (I like Tinkyada because there is usually a variety and it goes on sale often)

Some nice things to have on hand but not staples:

Betty Crocker mix (they have brownie, cookie, and 2 different cake mixes)

Van's Waffles

Udi's pizza crust

Udi's bagels

Staple items that are NATURALLY gluten-free:

Fruit

Veggies (if using frozen make sure there are NO SAUCES or additives)

Meat (try to go for Organic or meats not injected with broth)

Yogurt (CHECK ingredients and manufacturers sometimes they are not gluten-free. Yoplait is usually safe)

Milk

Cheese (not Blue Cheese)

Rice

Corn tortillas (Mission is recommended...check other brands before using since sometimes they may be made by flour tortillas)

Nuts & seeds

Peanut Butter (check to make sure..I use Skippy Natural)

There's a ton more but that is basically my list. There are a lot of mainstream products such as some General Mills cereals (Chex, Fruity Pebbles, etc) that are gluten-free along with things like fruit snacks and some types of Oreida frozen potato products.

Beware of bath & beauty products also. Some lip glosses, hairsprays, lotions, etc. can accidentally be ingestion and cause reactions.

fatlazyceliac Newbie

I've only been Gluten-Free for 2 months, so I'm sure others will have much more advice, but here are some things I couldn't live without

- Rice cooker & vegetable steamer (yes, I know I can cook things like quinoa in a pot, but I'm lazy)

- Boxes of Oskri bars and mixes from Amazon for those times when I'm out & about (I love the Cashew/Cranberry bars)

- New toaster, pots, strainer & reusable containers - the cross-contamination had me sick.

- Orange dot stickers - how I mark my condiments and other foods that are just for me

notme Experienced

- Orange dot stickers - how I mark my condiments and other foods that are just for me

wow that's a great idea :)

Skylark Collaborator

What wonderful in-laws you have.

My list would be:

Rice cooker - it will save your sanity!

Crockpot if you don't have one (helps with the cooking)

Bread machine if you like to use them

Fresh cutting boards

Teflon pan for non-gluten foods

gluten-free cookbooks

You will find that cooking is a lot more affordable than trying to buy gluten-free convenience foods. I'd suggest you ask for some gluten-free flour like this one that just came up recently: Open Original Shared Link and enough herbs and spices if you don't have them around to make interesting food.

If they are inclined, I love Glutino bagels, the Whole Foods brand scones and breads, and the 365 brand rice crackers. They also have a gluten-free brand of Thai ramen I like to grab when I'm there. The new Betty Crocker gluten-free mixes at the regular stores are really good too.

Good luck!

nikelodeon79 Rookie

Thanks for all the ideas (and the support!). My in-laws are being super cool... which is really nice because things have not always been peach keen between us. Maybe this diagnosis will bring us together. I'm just having to rein them in a bit because they're so gung ho about helping... I haven't caught up with them yet! I'm trying to start small and ease my way into things (I'm completely off gluten, but am just eating a few basic foods right now until I get the hang of things). I'm going to definitely use this as motivation to get off the processed crap and start eating right. I'm sure my family (hubby and brother) will be very excited to have homecooked meals all the time. I am no stranger to cooking... but I'm usually just so darn busy that I don't have time. Now, I'll just have to make time.

My mom, on the other hand, keeps encouraging me to cheat. She's like "Oh, I don't think you have to be that careful!" when I try to explain about cross-contamination. I'm actually trying to convince her to get tested herself... she's got a lot of the same issues as I do, plus fibromyalgia and diverticulitis (sp?). Thyroid issues also run in my family.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



bincongo Contributor

I am new too and it is true that keeping it simple with simple foods is the best advice but since I am not one to put my life on hold I am not following that advice all the time. My life saver has been the book Gluten Free Grocery shopping Guide by Matison. You can find it on line. I take it every time I shop. It has a huge list of everyday items that are gluten free. They took the time to consult manufactures to see which gluten free products they have. I also like Bisquick's gluten free pancake and baking mix.

srall Contributor

I just started eating gluten free (dairy free) in March. I started from only eating whole foods, then was ecstatic to find the processed gluten free foods...YAY convenience. Well, personally I had a really hard time with the processed foods, and they are very expensive.

I am back to whole foods and preparing all my own foods as much as possible. Even today I had Pad Thai at Noodles which is supposed to be safe, and I have a headache and my jaw is clenching. Just feel the best when I make the food from scratch.

I agree with the above lists. You will figure out there are a lot of foods you can eat. Just not a lot of convenient foods.

Marilyn R Community Regular

Hi,

I've been gluten-free for a relatively short time and find that things get easier as time progresses. Here are some budget friendly gluten free ideas for your staples.

White potatoes - Make 3 times the amount you will consume for a meal. I leave the skins on, cut them up and boil them. I refrigerate 2/3 of them for later, and mash the rest of them by hand with milk. (Rice milk for me.) The leftovers can be used to make American Fries for breakfast or another meal. They can be mashed as a topping for shepard's pie. You can add diced potatoes to any lettuce salad, not just nicoise. Make a frittata. Potato salad. I buy two bags of potatoes when they're on sale for 99 cents a bag. It takes no more time and less effort to make homemade mashed potatoes then it did for me to make Rice-A-Roni back in the pre gluten-free days.

Eggs - Cheap. Besides the obvious, boiled, fried, scrambled, omelets...Devilled eggs, egg salad, (Hellman's is gluten-free but I can't have it because of the soy) sliced eggs in salads, chopped hardboiled eggs are delicious in tuna salad.

Rice - Cheap. I ditto the Rice Cooker suggestion. Oriental stores sell beautiful jasmine rice at a very reasonable price. I alternate health food purchased organic brown rice with jasmine rice each week and make a big batch of rice every weekend to consume during the week. Warmed up rice with a scrambled or fried egg on it with feta cheese works for breakfast. Stir fries are really inexpensive and an excellent way to use up leftovers. Even though I pay more for some foods, I find that I use almost everything and waste less, which is better for my conscience and the earth.

Chicken - I get every cent out of BJ's Heartland Chicken. I buy two at a time, one to shred and freeze in packets (for chicken salad, bbq chicken, chicken soup, chicken stir fries...)and one to eat during the week.

One product I love is Riceworks chips. They are delicious on their own and have a satisfying crunch. Crushed, they can be used as a filler for any stuffing recipe vs. breadcrumbs ... like meatloaf or stuffed mushrooms ... or be a breading substitute for panko (crusted fish, etc.) They make delicious natchos (Tostitos are gluten-free too)

Don't pay the big buck for gluten-free salad dressings, because you can make better dressings at home with safe ingredients and less effort than it takes to read all those ingredient labels.

I haven't bought many gluten-free labelled foods because they're so expensive. I'd rather splurge on shrimp or something that's really gluten-free without having to wonder if the producer is being honest.

All the best to you. My boyfriend doesn't miss the gluten.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator

Eat clean in the beginning to help healing. Don't go nuts on gluten free junk foods and starchy carbs.

When you feel better here are a few things I like.

By far the best bread I've tried and the cheapest ($4 a loaf on the internet order place named after a river) is Gluten Free Pantry Basic White Bread Mix. It's super easy to make. Mix it up. Rise in the loaf pan half hour. Bake half hour. Makes a big loaf.

Tinkyada rice pasta. This is from an italian girl who was freaking about pasta. Like it a lot.

Betty Crocker cake, brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes.

Awesome peanut butter cookies super easy to make.

1 cup peanut butter.

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix up the dough. Form balls and then smash with a fork. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes until lightly browned.

AMAZING.

Glutino pretzels and wafer cookies are great. Also their crackers. I love Glutino stuff. Gluten free pantry is owned by them.

Gluten free pantry french bread and pizza mix is yummy for pizza.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator

We are all overwhelmed in the beginning. It gets easier and then it just becomes your life.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      128,875
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Nancy Robinson
    Newest Member
    Nancy Robinson
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.1k
    • Total Posts
      71.3k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Thanks for sharing, Karen. Certainly a needed reminder what we already knew (and I've posted many times on this forum) but sometimes forget, namely, autoimmune disorders tend to cluster. Where one is found, you can look for others to show up eventually. The thing that is unusual in your son's case is the onset of several of them at such a young age. My sister in law, who is in her early 60's has Crohn's and struggles with constipation so I don't think that is unusual with Crohn's. If nothing else, it's the outcome of not eating much because of the pain. Now that you know what is going on with your son and the Crohn's, we hope he is beginning to improve.
    • Nathan.
      Hi there. My son is turning 16 this month. He had an endoscopy and biopsy to confirm celiac. He went gluten-free and his pain never got any better. I think it got worse. Months went by. The pain started around 7th grade. He missed a lot of school in 8th grade, and a whole lot in 9th grade. He couldn't go to school in 10th grade. All along the gastroenterologist prescribed Hyoscyamine, didn't help at all. Cyproheptadine, no less pain. Peppermint oil, ginger, Miralax, Senna. Doc said he was constipated, but I couldn't get him to have Miralax daily. Eventually he went on Linzess and no senna or Miralax. Sorry this is long, there will be a point.  We gave his school not just a doctors not, but everything, and U of M makes a lot of notes. They still turned us in for Truancy.  I didn't get him enrolled in online school fast enough.  The school would not recommend an online school and i didn't know which one to choose.  Doc thought it was nerve pain and mental. He recommended the u of m my pain program.  Nathan did so good, 3 days a week supposed to be for 4 weeks.  Never missed, always on time.   After two weeks, they discharged him. Said it was not  benefitting him.  Pain went on. I had been asking if there were any other test they could do. Ultrasound, colonoscopy. Doc said we can do it, but I don't think we'll find anything.  Finally he had a colonoscopy and another endoscopy.  Guess what, they did find something. They found a ton of tiny ulcers everywhere, from the esophagus to his rectum. They think Crohn's. I understand they didn't check for that because he was more constipated, not much diarrhea. He is getting an MRI with contrast on Sunday. Also they want him to do a cal-protectin (give a poop sample). Then an appointment on the 16th to talk about treatment. Then the probation officer on the 17th. In the meantime he is taking Budesonide extended release.  $276.00 for 30 pills, and that's with insurance. Also he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Graves disease a few months ago. If it is for sure Crohn's,  it will be three autoimmune diseases. If someone is gluten-free for a month or more, and the pain is no better, don't stop looking. I was beside myself. Did they think he was exaggerating, lying? I was considering taking him to a holistic doctor, who would probably recommend Peppermint oil and ginger.  He's such a good kid. Kind of an introvert. He was on the 9th grade soccer team. He would try to go to practice and kept having to stop, the pain was that bad. Every time he ate, it didn't matter what, gluten-free chicken tenders, mac and cheese, pizza, ice cream, all gluten-free, he would eat a normal amount but stop and say, I can't eat anymore, my stomach hurts.  If anyone reads all this, thank you. I had a gut feeling, no pun intended, that he had an additional problem. They found celiac and stopped looking. If you don't feel better, keep on your doctor to check further, keep looking.   Take care, Karen  
    • Scott Adams
      Most likely cross-contamination I believe.
    • cristiana
      I think it takes different people different amounts of time, but in my own case I had pain,  bloating and loose stools for some time, exacerbated by a lactose intolerance, which eventually went.  I would say the really bad diarrhea got better quite quickly, but the bloating pain carried on for a few months, until I was told to give up lactose for a few weeks.  That helped enormously and once I realised milk and yoghurt was the cause, after a short break I went back to lactose very gradually and felt a lot better.  Now I can tolerate it well. From Coeliac UK "The enzyme lactase is found in the brush border of the small intestine. This is why people with coeliac disease can be deficient in lactase at diagnosis. Once established on a gluten free diet, the gut is able to heal and lactose digestion returns to normal. Lactose intolerance is therefore usually temporary." So if this helps your daughter, this doesn't mean you have to give up lactose forever, especially as dairy is such a good source of calcium for growing kids.   Bear in mind you should be able to reintroduce it. As for fatigue, this can be due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies,such as iron, vitamin D and B12.  Were these levels tested?  If not, I would suggest you get them done.  If your daughter is deficient in these, it is vital you address the deficiencies, and get the tests redone in a few months, particularly the iron, because too much can be dangerous.
    • knitty kitty
      Hello,   The medication in these inhalers can cause a thiamine deficiency if used by someone already low in thiamine.  We don't absorb sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals due to the inflammation and damage done to our villi in Celiac Disease.  Even a long term strict gluten free diet may not provide sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals.  There are eight B vitamins that all work together.  Thiamine deficiency often shows up first because our bodies use so much of it and it can't be stored very long. Thiamine deficiency symptoms can appear in as little as three days.  Without thiamine, the other B vitamins may not be able to function properly.   Thiamine is needed to clear lactic acid accumulation caused by the inhalers: Shoshin beriberi provoked by the inhalation of salbutamol https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12951730/    Significant Lactic Acidosis from Albuterol https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5965110/ Albuterol-Induced Type B Lactic Acidosis: Not an Uncommon Finding https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7263006/ Lessons of the month 1: Salbutamol induced lactic acidosis: clinically recognised but often forgotten https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6964186/ An Overview of Type B Lactic Acidosis Due to Thiamine (B1) Deficiency https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10731935/   Thiamine has antifungal and antibacterial properties.  Thiamine helps keep Candida in check.  Thiamine helps keep SIBO in check.  Thiamine helps with black mold, Aspergillis infection.  Riboflavin helps fight Candida infection in the mouth. Riboflavin Targets the Cellular Metabolic and Ribosomal Pathways of Candida albicans In Vitro and Exhibits Efficacy against Oropharyngeal Candidiasis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36625571/   Thiamine deficiency can make ones voice hoarse and can cause localized edema.  Niacin deficiency can make ones voice hoarse.  (Niacin deficiency and Thiamine deficiency can each cause irritability, agitation, and lability.) Hoarseness in pellagra https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21507655/ Hidden Hunger: A Pellagra Case Report https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8152714/   Anesthesia can cause B12 deficiency.  B12 deficiency can show up as mouth sores and geographic tongue, diarrhea, and dementia. Vitamin deficiency, a neglected risk factor for post-anesthesia complications: a systematic review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11823251/ Neurologic degeneration associated with nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8250714/ Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord following nitrous oxide anesthesia: A systematic review of cases https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30144777/ The Effect of Vitamin B12 Infusion on Prevention of Nitrous Oxide-induced Homocysteine Increase: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4052402/     Eating a diet that is heavy in carbohydrates can precipitate a thiamine deficiency.  As the amount of carbohydrates consumed increases, additional thiamine is needed, otherwise the carbs will be stored as fat.   Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8451766/   Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8533683/   The deficiency symptoms of some of the B vitamins cause gastrointestinal symptoms that resemble the same symptoms as when being glutened.   Thiamine deficiency can present as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain (Gastrointestinal Beriberi).  Niacin deficiency can present as diarrhea (Pellagra = diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, then death ).  B12 deficiency can present as diarrhea or dementia.  Not everything is caused by hidden gluten.  Gluten free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins lost in processing like gluten containing foods are. Blood tests are not accurate measurements of vitamin levels, but do talk to your doctor and nutritionist about supplementing with the eight B vitamins, Vitamin C, the four fat soluble vitamins and minerals like magnesium.  Your physician can give you a shot of B12 before anesthesia administration.   By the way, Celiac Disease genes have been traced back to having originated in Neanderthals.  I'm not a singing teacher on the net.  I earned a degree in Microbiology after studying nutrition because I wanted to know what vitamins are doing inside the body.  I've experienced nutritional deficiencies myself. Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!
×
×
  • Create New...