Hello, I was just wondering if there are any other Coeliacs here? I was diagnosed as a baby, but it was never really understood, so as a teenager I was very off-diet, and now as an adult struggle with lots of issues because of the damage caused, I wondered wether anyone one else struggles with a low metabolism, blood-sugar problems, and that 'constant hunger' feeling, and if they feel it is a big contributor to weight struggles?
Also, how others manage rushed meals, etc? - as the bread is SO high in calories, I can't bear to waste my allowance on it, and struggle allot when out, and my family can just grab things, and I end up eating high-calorie rubbish as there is nothing suitable!!
Sorry if this is quite rambling, I am just interested if there are fellow Coeliacs out there!
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victoria-anne
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Hi yes im a coeliac and i understand ,i was diagnosed 9 years ago i am now 54 years,it came as a shock as i was in my 40s and never expected that all the problems i was having was down to that,and yes all i could ever think of to eat when out was a banana or a jacket potato,i have put on nearly 2 stone since being diagnosed,and i am prediabetic my blood sugars are too high,and i am finding it a struggle to lose any weight,i still struggle when on the go like you as there are not many options,a lot of the stuff for coeliacs are way over priced for what you get,im not being much help really as i too have not found many options when out for the day ,what to eat is tough,if you make sandwiches and take them with you ,coeliac bread does not travel well,it either ends up rock hard or crumbling into bits,all i can say is good luck fellow coeliacs and keep well
Yes, I can only imagine what it's like to suddenly be diagnosed - I at least feel lucky that I have always had it, so I don't really know what I am missing, and I like GF bread, because it's all I have ever known!!!
I guess it's all about forethought and preparation. I like Julie910 's suggestion of the big bulky salads, and Hidden 's of making deli lunches. Love those.
I had supposedly 'GF' porridge for breakfast earlier, now have a tummy ache, and am hungry again! hate porridge!
Hi Victoria-Anne. Yes, I and two of my sons can't eat gluten, and I totally sympathise with what you're saying about availability of food - although it has improved hugely in the few years since we were diagnosed. M&S have a good range of sandwiches, wraps and salads - in SOME stores - but as with everywhere else, it varies so much from one store to another. So many places seem to think that, if they do a gluten-free chocolate brownie, that will cater for any possible need a coeliac could have!
I hardly ever take gluten-free bread anywhere (I mostly only eat it as toast because it's so dry), but tend to keep raw almonds in my bag to stave off hunger if I'm caught out - those and a banana (or a latte, if you're really struggling) will get you through a lot. The Nakd and Eat Natural bars are more readily available these days, and at least have some decent nutritional value even if lots of calories, and I'm increasingly seeing crisps made with lentil, chickpea or marrowfat peas, too, which again have a bit more nutritional value, a bit less fat, and are a bit more filling. But if I'm taking a lunch somewhere, I take a big salad! The Systema (is that what they're called?) pots include one with a teeny pot to put (low fat!) dressing in, and by the time you've chowed through a big bowl of grated carrot, chickpeas, salad leaves, peppers, grated fennel bulb and cucumber (or whatever), you're ready for anything. The main issue with it all is the amount of time it takes to prepare, and the fact that it feels pretty unfair when your friends and family can walk in anywhere and pick something up without even thinking about it, but once you get over that, it isn't so bad.
And think how much easier it is to resist the temptation of tucking into a sticky cake with your bestie, when it's not only going to break your diet but make you feel horribly ill too! (Yup, it's true, I can find the good in ANYTHING!)
Yes, I hate the coffee shops that have signs out advertising they cater for GF, we sit down with the kids, then find they just meant they have cakes, which I can't have anyway due to the dairy! So fustrating!
I think I may invest in a good systema box - the one I have is terrible, but I do love those 'bento box' style lunches.
I can't imagine how tough it was for my Mum - I am now realising why we never ate out!
Hi Victoria Anne I'm not coeliac or gluten intolerant but part of my weight loss journey involved working out some food intolerance issues, starting with a year going wheat and dairy free, and now I'm dairy free and low wheat. I've found the following useful for packed lunches/quick snacks. Firstly always carry those little packets of oat crackers (is there a gluten free version of these?) Then if you get caught short you can always get a tub of houmus or a salad and salmon based lunch box and have it with the crackers. Next I make my own deli style packed lunches. I pre-boil brown rice, green lentils etc and freeze in small pots. Things like roast veg/butternut squash can be made in bulk and frozen in portions too. Then take one of each out of the freezer, add a boiled egg/mackerel/humous and a few leaves and it all defrosts nicely by lunchtime
I'm accustomed to it now. I've discovered cashew butter which is a decent cheese 'substitute' and I find it easy to base healthy meals around jacket potatoes etc. E.g. last night I had a massive baked sweet potato with veg and hummous. And a chai tea for afters Also I've found some breads are better than others. There is a part-rye bread at my local Turkish shop that I get on well with, plus I seem to be okay with pitta bread. Pitta bread pizza with a cashew butter and olive oil drizzle is an ace treat
It sounds like your restrictions are going to be much harder though. I only ever got into rice cakes as something to have with sweet stuff e.g. nut butter/dark choc coated. But maybe the same applies just always carry a pot of rice crackers. Then the rest of any urgent snack/lunch while out can be improvised around it
I just remembered about the hugh fearnley whittingstall light and easy book, recommended by Penel , where he followed a diet based around avoiding wheat and dairy. I found it quite easily in the library. Also lots of ottolenghi recipes are gluten/dairy free. Part of it is about trying different cuisines, eastern/middle eastern etc where bread naturally features a lot less
Wow, great ideas there - especially the butternut squash - I love it, but strangely never occurred to me to make in bulk and freeze! Definitely going to try this.
Not a coeliac but wheat/gluten doesn't agree with me - or I with it.
Buckwheat pasta is good, as is making pizza based from grated cauliflower. I really don't miss bread, that took a lit of personal training), and might still eat a little artisan bread if out for a meal.
Eat lots of vegetables, meat and fish. I think many of us are healthier without wheat as it does give you a blood sugar spike, not sure if gluten free bread does the same or not.
There are some really good cook books around that avoid wheat, also loads of recipes on the internet.
Ah yes, I keep seeing those pizza's from cauliflower! I want to give those a shot, as we have a fortnightly pizza night with my partners children when they come, and I think I should probably start having a healthier option!
I've had to avoid gluten for over 10 years and can tolerate a little dairy occasionally. There are a few things that help me. Always plan ahead when it comes to food, google to find somewhere that serves gf food if you're going out, alternatively, always carry some food with you as Julie910 has suggested.
I don't eat ready made gluten free bread because of the additives and because it is such a high GI product and really doesn't help with weight loss. I make pancake/ wraps from chickpea or buckwheat flour if I want a 'sandwich' type meal, you can make them in batches and freeze them. Being very careful with the type and amount of carbs I eat has helped me lose weight.
I have gone back to eating full fat foods, using olive oil and butter, to make sure that my body is able to absorb fat soluble vitamins. This has helped to stop any feelings of hunger. Perhaps have a look at a Paleo type diet to see if that might help you. Have a read of Sarah Ballantyne who blogs as PaleoMom and has some useful advice for anyone with an autoimmune problem.
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