Celiac Support

HI. You are not alone. I am 66, just diagnosed two months ago which was a shock. However, and this is a big hoever, I am so grateful to know that I have Celiac and can do something to make myself better. First, your best information will be online. Find support groups. Use the computer for recipes, questions. I treat it like a magic 8 ball (remember that kids black ball - ask it a question and you get the anser?) I will put in "are m&m's gluten free? And get to a website where the question is answered. Grocery shopping was a nightmare in the beginning - stood in cookie aisle crying. No more oreos! Well, reality check. When was the last time I are an oreo?
You need to purge your cupboards of gluten foods - cereals, pastas, mixes, flours, cornstarch, baking powder (unless they say gluten free). Wash your cupboards and put everything back in. It is easier for your family to go gluten free than to cook two meals and try to keep gluten/gluten free separate.
Purge your utensils - gluten can stick in slotted sppons, on the edges of spatulas. Find a local $$$ store and replace what you have discarded. I keep two drawers - one for when I do make something containing gluten but those times are fewer and fewer.
*******Buy a new toaster - I bought a bright red $8 Walmart one. this toaster is just for you. Do not toast in the family toaster.
**********Buy a new colander (strainer)
**********If you use mayonnaise, open a new jar just for you. I write on jars that are G>F> and even draw a skull and crossbones on it.
Baking: go on online and look for flourless recipes to begin and satisfy your/the family sweet tooth. They are there and are good.
Before you throw out your cookbooks. I went thru mine and flagged the recipes that only needed a bit of flour, stuck a paper in the page and wrote down on a master list the name of the cookbook, the page and the item. Then established a binder as a reference. Buy a cookbook such as Incredibly Easy Gluten Free, The Cake Doctor Bakes Gluten Free. Also Gluten Free for Dummies is an excellent book for new Celiacs as is The Q&A book for Celiacs. Cookbooks by Annaliese, Roberts, The Culinary Institute, Bette Hagman, and others are out there. Before you invest in any flours buy a few books and READ. G.F. baking is expensive as you do not cook,bake with just one flour but rather blends. It is a new adventure and one you can easily throw your hands up in the air. However, it is worth it! King Arthur makes a g.f. flour which I keep in a glass jar on the counter and use for the recipes that call for small amounts of flour. Flours must be kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
I found a local ALDI'S supermarket that clearly marks their gluten free items with a symbol and the words GLUTEN FREE. That is where I shop for packages, cans. I pick up flours piecemeal at local supermarkets, even a Job Lot store. The Health Food store is my LAST place to go, usually for extra fine brown rice flour.
Try Tinkayada pasta, frozen Udi's bread - you must always toast the g.f. breads. The bread you find on the regular shelves has a short shelf life but the frozen bread does not. Pricey? Yes. Therefore I ration my bread and will eat a rice cake (Quaker g.f.) with a smear of peanut butter and a cut up apple with skin on for a lunch.
Lennnnnnnnngthy, but I hope helpful. Cecelia

What a helpful post Cecelia! My rheumatologist suspects I have CD because of a blood test so he sent me to a dietician. I came out of there in shock at what contains gluten & what I could no longer enjoy. I think I was depressed (& may still be) for 3 days afterwards. Seems like there are so few things left to enjoy in this world. I've checked out places online to purchase GF foods. The closest large grocery that carries GF foods is about 65 miles from me. When I went through its aisles after the dietician's visit I think I was just feeling overwhelmed. Made an appt. w/my GI doc as I was a definitive dx of CD before I go on such a strict diet. I'm wanting to go on Advocare to lose weight anyway but my goodness, separate toasters?
I'm 63, dx w/fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, had a colon re-section 4 yrs ago due to diverticulitis. I also have low vitamin D & cannot maintain a healthy level but no one has offered an opinion as to why. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks for letting me vent. I just feel like I need to mourn for a little while & have a "pity party" for myself, lol. I'll get over it.Elizabeth