Comments on: Why My List to Santa is Blank – AKA why celiac disease is a gift, and why Bruce Springsteen is a poet.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:01:59 +0000

This is so true! Celiac disease is a gift, an unusual one to be sure, but still a gift.

Julie, another thing to watch out for is seasoning of any kind. I got cross-contaminated ordering off Outback’s gluten-free menu early on because I didn’t order the steak (or anything else) “dry” with no seasonings. Once I made sure to do that, no issues eating in restaurants!

Happy New Year everyone!

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:43:30 +0000

Oh hey! Thanks for the clarification-nice to see you over here! Hope you had a great Christmas as well! Did you try cooking with your rice protein yet? I have some rice and gemma on the way to experiment with….should be interesting!

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:52:53 +0000

Thanks!! And yup, I know all about soy sauce (can’t have soy either anyway). I eat my sushi plain And I totally always say wheat allergy…just so much easier! Hope you had a good Xmas! (btw I’m caseygirl from the GF forum)

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:47:17 +0000

Hey Julie!
Excellent points.
First off though, with sushi-regular soy sauce can be made with wheat, so heads up on that one.
For eating out, if at all possible I would try to go to a restaurant that offers a gluten free menu, like Carrabba’s or PFChang’s. It makes it easier than having to go thru quizzing the server and asking a million questions. (I feel the same way-I hate feeling like a pain in the rear at restaurants especially with a group. Most of my friends and certainly my family are accustomed to it now-it’s been quite a few years since I’ve dated!
If that’s not an option, I look for an option on the menu that appears naturally gluten free, like grilled chicken/breast/fish with veggies or potato/salad, and then advise the server I have a “wheat allergy” (I know it’s not correct but makes it quicker and easier to explain) and they are generally extremely accommodating and helpful. I also think even on a first date it’s totally acceptable and not TMI to tell your date you have some food sensitivities. If they ask, you can explain more. (I would definitely leave out the gory bathroom glutening details.) If he’s worth having around, he’ll understand.

As far as cooking-you don’t have to be a good cook! Take a look at the post I did recently on the Balsamic Turkey Breast, and the Tips for eating healthfully post. It can be very straightforward, I promise. I’m going to be doing more posts on cooking with methods as opposed to recipes soon.

Traveling and events are tricky without a doubt. If you can take a cooler and/or a big purse for snacks, that’s always an option. If you can get in touch with the caterer ahead of time I would try to do that. If all else fails, there’s always crudite and salads, but I don’t trust anything else in a buffet unless I can confirm gluten status. Staff is usually very helpful I’ve found though, and is more than willing to ask the chef when I’ve approached them. I always keep a ziploc bag full of protein powder and some nuts in my purse in case of emergency. A gluten free jerky would also be a non-perishable option.
Hope that helps!

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:25:06 +0000

Definitely agree with and share your perspective on Celiac disease. I look at it as a gift for sure! I have a built in excuse at parties for not eating something I don’t want to But also, it forces me to really consider what I want to put in my mouth. I think it’s easier for me, perhaps, because I’ve always been into healthy eating (or at least, I thought I was eating healthy before). This has opened up my eyes to what really is healthy eating haha. It has been a direct reason for my interest in nutrition, and my growing understanding of what my body needs to remain fit and healthy.

What is a challenge to me is dating!! I do very well when I’m on my own (live by myself) and when I visit family (very understanding!)….but dating can be difficult. So much revolves around eating..and I know an easy answer would be to go on dates that don’t revolve around food. That’s good advice, but sometimes, it’s nice to do the eating out thing. I’m not a high maintenance girl, and don’t like appearing picky at restaurants, if ya know what I mean. Also, people could say, cook dinner for the guy….well that would be good if I was a good cook, but alas, I’m not. Any ideas/advice/comments on this issue? I do go out to sushi without problem and feel comfortable eating that out…that’s a start.

The other challenging thing is going to big events/traveling…like traveling out of state to a wedding. I was lucky enough to have gluten free meals at the 2 weddings I went to this summer, but sometimes it’s more challenging. Any advice on weddings and things like that?

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:13:37 +0000

Thanks JC-I’m a big believer that perception is reality-if we view something as being a burden, it will be. If we turn that perception on it’s head and make it a gift-it will be. A gift is way better than a burden!

By: JC

JC — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:13:15 +0000

Erin, it’s refreshing to read a different viewpoint for a change. Many look at these kind of issues as an absolute detriment to health and life. It’s encouraging to see you deal with such a bad hand in such an awesome manner.