Going Gluten-Free

The last few weeks have been stressful, as Maddie was ordered to have some tests after her annual physical.  This lead to a Celiac Disease diagnosis, a trip to see a specialist (a pediatric gastroenterologist) and a switch to a gluten-free diet.

Let me just say that you do not realize how prevalent gluten is in the American diet.  Nearly all processed foods have some form of it, and even a little bit can trigger the autoimmune response.  This will definitely be a learning experience for us.  We are quickly finding alternatives for things like cereal and pasta, and fortunately,  we don't eat a huge amount of processed foods.  So the switch is going pretty smoothly. 

Since I am a baker, and like to make most of our desserts from scratch, this will be a real change for me.  I mean, how do you bake without wheat flour?  I'm thinking about starting a gluten-free blog where I can talk more about our experiences and test out some recipes -- maybe review some gluten-free cookbooks and products.

If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, I would love to hear from you! 

Comments

[margene]

I've been GF for over a year, diagnosed with Celiac in May of 2009. My brother is also Celiac. There are many, many GF blogs with recipes galore, but always room for another as there can't be too much info or input. Because my diet is mainly non-processed foods I've had an easy time, too.
Many flour blends and bread mixes are available, as are pastas, etc. Good luck! GF cooking is an adventure but one that's enjoyable and fun.

[Katy in MA]

check out the blog & cookbook by GlutenFree girl--lots of useful (and hopeful!) info. Also, Adrienne Martini (knitting author) has a daughter w/ celiac and sometimes posts about that on her blog...she would also be happy to e-mail with you about it. best of luck.

[Dee]

There are *tons* of recipes on Tastespotting and Foodgawker. Not all are gluten free, but an increasing number are. You can also search for particular recipes on foodblogsearch.com. That's a great site. Good luck!

[gaile]

There are TONS of gf blogs out there. I have a boatload on my sidebar. Definitely get gluten free girl's books, they are a godsend. But also check out the many gf bloggers who have worked out the kinks for us. Bobs red mill makes great gf flours - make room in your pantry for about 10 new kinds of grain flours - from amaranth to teff, you have an adventure ahead!

[Adrienne]

Heh. I was just about to post that my daughter has Celiac when I noticed that Katy did it for me. Small blogosphere.

My Maddy has been gluten free for four years now. The first year is pretty rough but you do get the hang of it. There was a huge change in how she felt just two weeks into the new diet.

Please do email with *any* questions you might have.

[gaile]

oh, and as Celiac is an inherited disease, do please get checked yourself. it often presents with symptoms that are not obvious.

[rachel]

i've been gluten free since august and it has changed my life. ten years of undiagnosed celiac, and now 30 HAS to be the new 20 because i missed them while i was in the loo.

first and foremost- in the US you have amazing ready made mixes and products (like bionatrae pasta, which i think is the best and import from the us into canada) but i really encourage you to explore baking gluten free. you love baking and i think it'll be a fun challenge for you. otherwise, as long as the primary diet consists of lean meats, fruit and veg and some research, life can be totally normal and very happy. and if you guys like sushi- grab a bottle of tamari 'soy' sauce. i can't even tell the difference and it doesn't make me ill. please feel free to email me for any advice, julie, i'm so happy to help.

[Anna]

My co-worker was diagnosed a few years ago and after diligently following the diet, had her cilia grow back in her intestines (took 2 years). It was very exciting. The CIA (culinary institute of america) has a gluten-free baking book. She's managed to actually experiment and make her own GF equivalents--and they are YUMMY. Mind you her son is allergic to wheat AND corn, can you even imagine? Good luck, Anna

[Denise]

Try to focus on the things you CAN eat not the things you can't! There is also a good book called Breaking th Vicious Cycle. Great recipes and ideas in it!

Think seriously about you and your husband also getting tested.

[Mags]

Recently posted on the NPR website:
Have Your (Less Sinful) Cupcake And Enjoy It, Too by Eve Turow
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130191177&sc=emaf

A couple of the recipes in the article are gluten free. The Red Velvet made with garbanzo beans aren't too bad... I will admit the first bite was a bit earthy, but it got better as my taste buds adjusted.

Good Luck!

[amy]

King Arthur Flour's blog has some good recipes for gluten free cakes, biscuits, pizza crust, bread...

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/category/gluten-free/

[sewkatiedid]

We're gluten free and this woman's flour mix works great in any recipe:
http://www.artofglutenfreebaking.com/

Her whip cream cake is the best!

We also like Udi's breads.

[Theresa]

Sounds like that's a good thing to find out earlier rather than later. I know that our Whole Foods has a whole section of gluten free products, and that now there are a number of good substitutes for wheat-based products. I think the quinoa pasta is supposed to be decent stuff if you're missing a pasta substitute.

[Juliann]

I have been gluten free for 10 years now and it is getting easier all the time. Food labeling is much improved. And the payoff is feeling so much better.
This is my favorite blog for gluten free cooking - every recipe I have tried is wonderful!
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
Also look for Udi's bread - it is amazing and gluten free
http://udisglutenfree.com/

[Jessimuhka]

I'm not gluten-free, but I do follow and cook many things from the blog "Hey, that tastes good!" It's all pretty tasty and doesn't seem like it's missing something.