Oh the things you learn the hard way when you have Celiac, The doctor hands you a pice of paper and says speak with a nutritionist. Then your nutritionist givers you a list of food and wishes you well. It’s overwhelming and tough. You are going to accidentally gluten yourself in the beginning. It’s just part of the learning curve. Here are just a few things that stick out in my mind that I didn’t know but wish someone had told me.

1. Don’t assume that it’s gluten free just because it seems like it should be. Things I thought were okay but definitely were not. Soy Sauce…not just soy. The second ingredient is wheat, who knew? All my life I thought it was made from just soy.. Now I use this Coconut Aminos. Which is very good and very similar to regular soy sauce. Imitation crab meat also not gluten free. As with most things in celiac you must have ingredients in their purest form. Even while Turkeys can have wheat. Please, please always read labels and “when in doubt go without”. A saying that has become my mantra. Ask yourself is it worth it?
2. If you are celiac it’s common to struggle with other foods, for me it’s oats (even certified gluten free), chocolate, coffee, quinoa, cashews, pineapple and most of the nightshade family. I know it seems unfair but what can you do but adapt. Quality of life is better when you’re knowledgeable of what your body can handle and what it can’t and most importantly respect it. It’s okay there’s still a lot of food out there you can eat.
3. Make up, hair products and body products can contain gluten. When I found this out, I was shocked… But why would it need to have gluten in it? To be honest I’m still not sure why but I check my labels when I’m buying products no matter what.
4. Vitamins. If you’re newly diagnosed with Celiac you’re probably deficient in some of your fat soluble vitamins. If you can convince your doctor to get a vitamin panel done, do it. It’s worth it. This helped me so much more than anything on my journey. If I don’t supplement vitamin D, I suffer. I personally use a vitamin D tincture for better absorption but each person is different so do what works for you.
5. Fast food is dangerous. The truth is even if they have gluten free items, cross contamination is real. Fast food restaurants are built for the masses so they’re not always aware of the severity of not changing their gloves or making sure their work area is safe for us. Your experience may be better than mine but just keep in mind it can be risky.
6. Not all beverages are safe. That was so disappointing for me. Two things that are quick indicators whether or not there can be gluten hidden in your drink. Check for malt which is a derivative of barley. Also Carmel color should have you hopping on line to check if your brand is gluten free. Even sports drinks can contain gluten.
7. Digestive enzymes are your friend, sometimes our bodies have a hard time digesting food. Enzymes can help so much, I don’t take them with every meal but with larger meals and they help my struggling digestive system process. Maybe this is not your issue but if you miserable after you eat I recommend talking to your doctor about taking them. In my experience they have helped.
8. Collagen is not just for looking younger, they also believe it helps soothe your gut. I’m not a scientist or a doctor but I can tell you that when I drink it in the morning with my tea, my stomach feels calmer and better. Especially in the beginning of my healing journey, having collagen in my morning tea is something i looked forward to. It helps so much with the bloating and stomach discomfort.
9. Licorice root, marshmallow root and slippery elm tea. They are my personal godsend. I’ve tried a lot of things to heal my stomach and during my research. I came across these three herbs and they have changed my life. Do they fix everything..no definitely not but if my stomach is upset or I have indigestion this calms it down dramatically. I make my own tea now but here’s a link to a tea that I use when I’m not able to make my own. Throat Coat Tea
10. Stay positive, it’s hard I know. Like any new thing there is a learning curve. What works for me, may not work for you. It’s a struggle to be the complicated friend or family member but you and your people will adapt and get used to it. You’ll find ways to enjoy a night out to dinner or even complicated holiday dinners. I joke that Thanksgiving is my nemesis and if you have celiac you know that a traditional thanksgiving kitchen is a frightening place for celiacs.

I know you may be overwhelmed but it will get easier because you will get better and more importantly you will feel better.

Disclaimer: These are my own personal experiences, I’m not a doctor. You should always check with your doctor before you try a new supplement or dietary change.

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