Comments on: The Gluten-Free Diet – Sometimes it just Sucks http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html Your guide to living deliciously gluten-free. Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:23:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Keely Guide http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-285911 Keely Guide Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:02:41 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-285911 Thank you for this post. I could really relate. Sometimes food just looks so good, it makes me want to cry when I can't eat it. And, sadly, I live in a place where gluten-free offerings are a rarity. As in, non-existent. When I ask if something is gluten-free, people look at me like "What the heck is gluten?" Maybe I should move to New York. Sometimes a girl just wants to eat out. Thank you for this post. I could really relate. Sometimes food just looks so good, it makes me want to cry when I can’t eat it. And, sadly, I live in a place where gluten-free offerings are a rarity. As in, non-existent. When I ask if something is gluten-free, people look at me like “What the heck is gluten?” Maybe I should move to New York. Sometimes a girl just wants to eat out.

]]> By: Julie http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-118786 Julie Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:49:03 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-118786 I am SO glad to know there are other people who feel the way I do about Celiac Disease. I was diagnosed 4 years ago, and went cold turkey. I've had issues with cake and cookies, but wasn't a huge bread person (is there such a thing as GF sourdough??), so that wasn't a big deal for me. HOWEVER... my mother, who passed this lovely life on to me, refuses to acknowledge this life changing event. Three days ago she is telling me about a recipe for something including angel food cake. As I gently reminded her I cannot eat it, she snaps and says "why not!?" I tell her (for the millionth time) that I cannot have anything with wheat or gluten in it, as I get very ill. And I threw in that I don't like spending a lot of time in the bathroom when I can socialize with friends instead. I am going to start my ADHD son on a 100% GF diet in a few weeks (he is visiting the family for awhile in another state). My family cannot understand why I need to "torture" him. Not only that, but they don't get why I don't want to come home for the holidays... they eat gluten everything!!!!! And seriously, make ZERO effort to make something for me. Apparently I am supposed to suffer in silence (relative: gas anyone?) or starve. Or bring an entire meal for myself. We do a bi-annual beach trip and I made my fantastic GF chicken tortilla casserole (so healthy... Greek yogurt, chicken, salsa-homeade, cheese, peppers, and corn tortillas) Everyone loved it! They couldn't believe how good it was. And they were worried it would "taste funny" because it was GF. One thing that annoys me the most is when people call Celiac "silly a$$" disease, as a play on the words. Do they not get that it is painful enough when they make the "poor you can't eat real food" statements? I'm pretty sure meat, dairy, veggies and fruit are real food. And healthier than that over-processed crap they are stuffing themselves with. Oh yeah.. my son is concerned about not eating pop-tarts. Well, using a GF pie crust mix and a lovely little thing called a Toaster Pastry maker from Williams-Sonoma, I am able to make him poptarts... with less sugar and junk than the real ones. Yay me! I am SO glad to know there are other people who feel the way I do about Celiac Disease. I was diagnosed 4 years ago, and went cold turkey. I’ve had issues with cake and cookies, but wasn’t a huge bread person (is there such a thing as GF sourdough??), so that wasn’t a big deal for me. HOWEVER… my mother, who passed this lovely life on to me, refuses to acknowledge this life changing event. Three days ago she is telling me about a recipe for something including angel food cake. As I gently reminded her I cannot eat it, she snaps and says “why not!?” I tell her (for the millionth time) that I cannot have anything with wheat or gluten in it, as I get very ill. And I threw in that I don’t like spending a lot of time in the bathroom when I can socialize with friends instead. I am going to start my ADHD son on a 100% GF diet in a few weeks (he is visiting the family for awhile in another state). My family cannot understand why I need to “torture” him. Not only that, but they don’t get why I don’t want to come home for the holidays… they eat gluten everything!!!!! And seriously, make ZERO effort to make something for me. Apparently I am supposed to suffer in silence (relative: gas anyone?) or starve. Or bring an entire meal for myself. We do a bi-annual beach trip and I made my fantastic GF chicken tortilla casserole (so healthy… Greek yogurt, chicken, salsa-homeade, cheese, peppers, and corn tortillas) Everyone loved it! They couldn’t believe how good it was. And they were worried it would “taste funny” because it was GF.
One thing that annoys me the most is when people call Celiac “silly a$$” disease, as a play on the words. Do they not get that it is painful enough when they make the “poor you can’t eat real food” statements? I’m pretty sure meat, dairy, veggies and fruit are real food. And healthier than that over-processed crap they are stuffing themselves with.
Oh yeah.. my son is concerned about not eating pop-tarts. Well, using a GF pie crust mix and a lovely little thing called a Toaster Pastry maker from Williams-Sonoma, I am able to make him poptarts… with less sugar and junk than the real ones. Yay me!

]]> By: Martha Richards http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-70135 Martha Richards Fri, 22 Apr 2011 23:25:13 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-70135 wow, I stopped looking at GF blogs until tonight when I was looking for GF beer recipes. I hate the word S*ck, but the title fit how I was feeling but not expressing. Anyway, oh, the pain, I try to think how lucky I am (DX 2007 and was really sick), but sometimes I wander off on to the times I could have a micro brew, a fish sandwich and fries, and I want to cry. Then, I think of how good quinoa is, and I still want to cry, ha, ha. Actually,Quinoa is great, but, really, most people who see you eating this at work think you are crazy. I guess that is what makes it harder, as you have to hide it, or just try not to be noticed while others are eating this great stuff. For those who have lots of trouble, check out SCD diet, specific Carbohydrate diet, it is also known as cave man diet, it helps in the beginning stages to heal your gut.I actually crave the stuff now. Teenage lady, my heart goes out to you, but it is OK, you will figure it out, be stronger for it, and others who have this will be drawn to you. And for all, it really could be a lot worse. But then, there is that Twinkie that I never really wanted until now. Only kidding, kind of. wow, I stopped looking at GF blogs until tonight when I was looking for GF beer recipes. I hate the word S*ck, but the title fit how I was feeling but not expressing. Anyway, oh, the pain, I try to think how lucky I am (DX 2007 and was really sick), but sometimes I wander off on to the times I could have a micro brew, a fish sandwich and fries, and I want to cry. Then, I think of how good quinoa is, and I still want to cry, ha, ha. Actually,Quinoa is great, but, really, most people who see you eating this at work think you are crazy. I guess that is what makes it harder, as you have to hide it, or just try not to be noticed while others are eating this great stuff. For those who have lots of trouble, check out SCD diet, specific Carbohydrate diet, it is also known as cave man diet, it helps in the beginning stages to heal your gut.I actually crave the stuff now. Teenage lady, my heart goes out to you, but it is OK, you will figure it out, be stronger for it, and others who have this will be drawn to you. And for all, it really could be a lot worse. But then, there is that Twinkie that I never really wanted until now. Only kidding, kind of.

]]> By: HT http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-68400 HT Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:21:28 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-68400 I know the feeling in this article way too often. I am really intolerant to gluten so even the smallest crumb will make me so sick. My worst experience was recent actually. I am in AmeriCorps VISTA and by doing so we are given a very small stipend to live off, and get food stamps (which are about $5 worth of money for food a day - hardly anything when you have to eat GF). Well at my office we had a staff lunch and they ordered Subway. When I explained that even a salad wasn't okay for me to eat because of the chance of contamination they just said "bummer". So I had to sit there for a 3 hour meeting watching them eat delicious subway sandwiches while hungry myself and I knew that out of everyone there I was the only person who could hardly afford food and wasn't even asked if there was something else they could buy for me. It sucked so bad. And even worse the only time I was noted in the 3 hour meeting was for a criticism from a coworker for something that actually was his fault. I know the feeling in this article way too often. I am really intolerant to gluten so even the smallest crumb will make me so sick.

My worst experience was recent actually. I am in AmeriCorps VISTA and by doing so we are given a very small stipend to live off, and get food stamps (which are about $5 worth of money for food a day – hardly anything when you have to eat GF). Well at my office we had a staff lunch and they ordered Subway. When I explained that even a salad wasn’t okay for me to eat because of the chance of contamination they just said “bummer”. So I had to sit there for a 3 hour meeting watching them eat delicious subway sandwiches while hungry myself and I knew that out of everyone there I was the only person who could hardly afford food and wasn’t even asked if there was something else they could buy for me. It sucked so bad. And even worse the only time I was noted in the 3 hour meeting was for a criticism from a coworker for something that actually was his fault.

]]> By: Nathalie http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-65030 Nathalie Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:53:06 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-65030 I got really sad after reading that thread! My worse memories are from the beginning of my 1st (and only yet) pregnancy. I was hungry all the time and everything I couldn't eat smelled so good! Worse - being pregnant increased all my food sensitivities, so absolutely no cheating was tolerable... One of the most famous bagel factory (St-Viateur) is located near my office. Once a month, the company provided us free freshly baked bagels. It was literally a torture working on those mornings. Of course I could bring my own GF bagels, but seriously, their taste & texture have nothing in common... Another time, during a XMas trip in my boyfriend's family, they had planned that we all go have supper in a somewhat fancy hamburger restaurant. I forgot to take an afternoon snack (worse mistake ever) and we had to wait in line for almost an hour before getting a table. Then I saw the menu and was horrified finding almost nothing that fit - I'm also dairy and beef sensitive. I couldn't order any appetizer and had to watch everyone enjoy a huge stack of onion rings, drinking milk shakes. My stomach hurt from hunger and I felt both like fainting and crying. Finally, I got my plate - a small chicken "burger" without the bun and without sauce, placed on a soggy piece of lettuce. At least there was (oily) sweet potato fries, but I wasn't even sure they weren't coated with flour. To be polite, I had to wait until everyone was served to eat, so the chicken was cold and dry when I ate it... That meal totally sucked for me. At least, I've learned my lesson and decided from now on not to be too polite when it comes to food (especially when pregnant)! Another sucky thing about being sensitive to food is that it's genetically transmissive. My girl is sensitive to lots of food so I put her on an even stricter diet as me (she reacts to fruits also). I have to deal with all the grandparents who can't understand that; either by judging me (sometimes even insulting me) or bypassing her diet (at least she's not that sensitive, so she only gets a little eczema & diaper rash). I'm often depressed about that, how bad my genes are and how I should be ashamed of propagating them. Now I'm considering having a second child and have to deal with all those thoughts & memories. They're probably not gonna stop me though! :) I got really sad after reading that thread! My worse memories are from the beginning of my 1st (and only yet) pregnancy. I was hungry all the time and everything I couldn’t eat smelled so good! Worse – being pregnant increased all my food sensitivities, so absolutely no cheating was tolerable…

One of the most famous bagel factory (St-Viateur) is located near my office. Once a month, the company provided us free freshly baked bagels. It was literally a torture working on those mornings. Of course I could bring my own GF bagels, but seriously, their taste & texture have nothing in common…

Another time, during a XMas trip in my boyfriend’s family, they had planned that we all go have supper in a somewhat fancy hamburger restaurant. I forgot to take an afternoon snack (worse mistake ever) and we had to wait in line for almost an hour before getting a table. Then I saw the menu and was horrified finding almost nothing that fit – I’m also dairy and beef sensitive. I couldn’t order any appetizer and had to watch everyone enjoy a huge stack of onion rings, drinking milk shakes. My stomach hurt from hunger and I felt both like fainting and crying. Finally, I got my plate – a small chicken “burger” without the bun and without sauce, placed on a soggy piece of lettuce. At least there was (oily) sweet potato fries, but I wasn’t even sure they weren’t coated with flour. To be polite, I had to wait until everyone was served to eat, so the chicken was cold and dry when I ate it… That meal totally sucked for me. At least, I’ve learned my lesson and decided from now on not to be too polite when it comes to food (especially when pregnant)!

Another sucky thing about being sensitive to food is that it’s genetically transmissive. My girl is sensitive to lots of food so I put her on an even stricter diet as me (she reacts to fruits also). I have to deal with all the grandparents who can’t understand that; either by judging me (sometimes even insulting me) or bypassing her diet (at least she’s not that sensitive, so she only gets a little eczema & diaper rash). I’m often depressed about that, how bad my genes are and how I should be ashamed of propagating them.

Now I’m considering having a second child and have to deal with all those thoughts & memories. They’re probably not gonna stop me though! :)

]]> By: Kristian Hayward http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-63761 Kristian Hayward Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:43:46 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-63761 Great post! I'm 15 years old, and was diagnosed with Celiacs on MLK day this year. It has been really hard, especially having to explain to ALL of my friends what it is, etc. I'm glad to know that crying about this is normal, because it's been pretty hard fighting back tears. I was at a friends house for a party, we were playing a video game, and they served pizza, pasta, salad, and brownies. It was very hard for me to fight my tears, but I managed to do so. Even in the classroom, we finished a test and as a reward our teacher brought us doughnuts. Everyone was excited and asked me why I didn't take one, as I usually would. It's nice to hear other people's situations. Thanks a bunch guys. Great post! I’m 15 years old, and was diagnosed with Celiacs on MLK day this year. It has been really hard, especially having to explain to ALL of my friends what it is, etc. I’m glad to know that crying about this is normal, because it’s been pretty hard fighting back tears. I was at a friends house for a party, we were playing a video game, and they served pizza, pasta, salad, and brownies. It was very hard for me to fight my tears, but I managed to do so. Even in the classroom, we finished a test and as a reward our teacher brought us doughnuts. Everyone was excited and asked me why I didn’t take one, as I usually would. It’s nice to hear other people’s situations. Thanks a bunch guys.

]]> By: Tania http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-60782 Tania Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:29:27 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-60782 I am only four days into my new life after being told by a clinical allergist.. after many years of problems... that I have to avoid gluten/wheat, dairy, amines and nickel. The withdrawals have been terrible, the headaches and exhaustion is horrible. I am also 11 weeks pregnant but know the headaches etc are due to coming off my danger foods. I have been searching for recipes and it hasn't been easy because I have so many food restrictions. I get sad when I watch my family eat the foods I love, but I have a mantra that I keep saying to myself.."concentrate on the foods I can have, not the foods I can't" which is what the nurse said to me to make me feel better when I was in tears, and there have been lots of tears. I wrote a list of the food I am allowed (fits too easily on one page) and emailed it to my parents, if it isn't on the list then I can't have it, they have been very understanding... thankfully I am sure after the withdrawals are over and I venture outside more I am going to be confronted with foods I am desperate for, and that will be a challenge, but I'll just keep going with my mantra and concentrate on how I feel and look. After only 3 full days I have already lost 2kgs (5 pound)!! I am only four days into my new life after being told by a clinical allergist.. after many years of problems… that I have to avoid gluten/wheat, dairy, amines and nickel. The withdrawals have been terrible, the headaches and exhaustion is horrible. I am also 11 weeks pregnant but know the headaches etc are due to coming off my danger foods.
I have been searching for recipes and it hasn’t been easy because I have so many food restrictions. I get sad when I watch my family eat the foods I love, but I have a mantra that I keep saying to myself..”concentrate on the foods I can have, not the foods I can’t” which is what the nurse said to me to make me feel better when I was in tears, and there have been lots of tears.

I wrote a list of the food I am allowed (fits too easily on one page) and emailed it to my parents, if it isn’t on the list then I can’t have it, they have been very understanding… thankfully

I am sure after the withdrawals are over and I venture outside more I am going to be confronted with foods I am desperate for, and that will be a challenge, but I’ll just keep going with my mantra and concentrate on how I feel and look. After only 3 full days I have already lost 2kgs (5 pound)!!

]]> By: Gina C http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-51517 Gina C Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:31:02 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-51517 Well I wish I could eat eggs for breakfast like I use to before I doubled over in pain. I wish I could eat whole grain bread without running to the bathroom after hours of bloating and pain. I wish I could eat a salad with cheese with regular dressing. I wish I could eat butter. I wish I could eat raw apples or pears. I wish I could eat popcorn or oatmeal. I wish I could eat pasta or meatballs with breadcrumbs. My list keeps getting longer.............. Eating out is a journey in who will abide by my restrictions and who will send me to the bathroom in an hour. Frankly, after suffering for years and having it progress to the point of not leaving my house. I now feel GREAT compared to what I use to feel. I still get that way but then I re-evaluate what I ate and of course don't eat that again or go to that restaurant. I try to eat only cooked veggies, plain meat/fish and certain fruits. I just wish that they would make sugar/fat-free gluten free products. :-) Well I wish I could eat eggs for breakfast like I use to before I doubled over in pain. I wish I could eat whole grain bread without running to the bathroom after hours of bloating and pain. I wish I could eat a salad with cheese with regular dressing. I wish I could eat butter. I wish I could eat raw apples or pears. I wish I could eat popcorn or oatmeal. I wish I could eat pasta or meatballs with breadcrumbs. My list keeps getting longer………….. Eating out is a journey in who will abide by my restrictions and who will send me to the bathroom in an hour. Frankly, after suffering for years and having it progress to the point of not leaving my house. I now feel GREAT compared to what I use to feel. I still get that way but then I re-evaluate what I ate and of course don’t eat that again or go to that restaurant. I try to eat only cooked veggies, plain meat/fish and certain fruits.
I just wish that they would make sugar/fat-free gluten free products. :-)

]]> By: Rebecca Vanderloosen http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-51486 Rebecca Vanderloosen Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:31:45 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-51486 I loved this post. I also cried the first time my boyfriend ordered pizza and I got the stupid salad. Living without bread has been tough, but the thing I miss the most...beer. Here in Minnesota we have Summit Beer, and it's wonderful. No one needs beer, and I know I'm probally better off without it, but it's so delicious. There are a few gluten free options, but they are not delicious. On a more positive note, in south Minneapolis Parkway Pizza will deliver GF pizza. It isn't bad and if you tell them to make it "well done" it's pretty good. I just wish someone could come up with a decent GF beer. I loved this post. I also cried the first time my boyfriend ordered pizza and I got the stupid salad. Living without bread has been tough, but the thing I miss the most…beer. Here in Minnesota we have Summit Beer, and it’s wonderful. No one needs beer, and I know I’m probally better off without it, but it’s so delicious. There are a few gluten free options, but they are not delicious. On a more positive note, in south Minneapolis Parkway Pizza will deliver GF pizza. It isn’t bad and if you tell them to make it “well done” it’s pretty good. I just wish someone could come up with a decent GF beer.

]]> By: Joanne Cataldo http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html/comment-page-1#comment-50773 Joanne Cataldo Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:05:27 +0000 http://aglutenfreeguide.com/the-gluten-free-diet-sometimes-it-just-sucks.html#comment-50773 The best thing about living gf for these last ten years, after not being sick ALL THE TIME, is that I've become a really good cook...forced to learn to replicate many foods I love but can only eat if I make myself...the worst is eating out..being GF has really sucked all the joy out of the restaurant experience..now, instead of looking forward to a new culinary adventure, I just hope to make it through without suffering any consequences later! Travel can be difficult as well...Celiacs are probably the only people who lose weight on vacation! I have to say things have gotten remarkably better over the last few years. I never thought I would be able to order a beer and pizza again never mind at a local restaurant (Stone Hearth Pizza - Needham, MA)...and my last couple of trips were a lot easier than I had expected, especially Dublin, Ireland....It is tiresome always having to check labels, always having to ask questions the answer you don't usually want to hear, the only reason I don't "cheat" is that unlike diabetes or other chronic diseases you pay the price of eating gluten immediately and it is never ever worth it. The best thing about living gf for these last ten years, after not being sick ALL THE TIME, is that I’ve become a really good cook…forced to learn to replicate many foods I love but can only eat if I make myself…the worst is eating out..being GF has really sucked all the joy out of the restaurant experience..now, instead of looking forward to a new culinary adventure, I just hope to make it through without suffering any consequences later! Travel can be difficult as well…Celiacs are probably the only people who lose weight on vacation! I have to say things have gotten remarkably better over the last few years. I never thought I would be able to order a beer and pizza again never mind at a local restaurant (Stone Hearth Pizza – Needham, MA)…and my last couple of trips were a lot easier than I had expected, especially Dublin, Ireland….It is tiresome always having to check labels, always having to ask questions the answer you don’t usually want to hear, the only reason I don’t “cheat” is that unlike diabetes or other chronic diseases you pay the price of eating gluten immediately and it is never ever worth it.

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