Celiac Disease

I'm glad to say, it doesn't have to be the end of the world. If you go to your local health food store, you'll find a HUUUUGE selection of wheat free, gluten free products. Right down to pizzas! And they're actually a lot better for you!

I was diagnosed almost a year ago. I have tons of info to share. Yes, the health foods store has lots of stuff...but it can get really expensive too. It' s hard at first but gets easier. Eating out is the hardest part for me. Here's some helpful website I've found so far.

I live in Houston so this website if very helpful...I'm sure you have one in your local area.
http://www.houstonceliacs.org/
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/
http://www.celiac.com/categories/Safe-Gluten%2dFree-Food-List-{47}-Unsafe-Foods-&-Ingredients

Random things I've learned the hard way: Don't like stamps or envelopes..they have gluten, Soy Sauce, Twizzlers, marinades

Restaurants with GF menus online: Pei Wei, PF Changs, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Carabba's (might be local), Carino's.

I have celiac and would just put in a little warning because this happened to me.... I felt so deprived thinking i couldnt have things I wanted that I ate a lot of GF junk food in the beginning and had to take charge of my diet and start eating more nutritionally and less empty calorie GF items like cookies, etc. I wish someone had told me that when I was first diagnosed and I may not fallen into that routine. Now I just replace one thing with another. I use brown rice wraps, eat gluten free oats (you can get them from Whole Foods,etc), I have millet instead of other grains. Every now and then a rice crust pizza but since I have a hard time only eating a little bit of pizza I try not to do this often. I tend to eat more whole foods and less processed foods.

Good luck and check out the gluten free blogs for great recipes!

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
glutenfreegirl.com
http://www.bookofyum.com/blog/

if you are feeling like you want a cookie- WOWbaking.com is giving them away....not sure if this is something you want to have but my free cookie is coming soon and I will just plan it in.

I eat a lot of brown rice wraps which I can find in large health food stores. GF companies are trying to increase fiber in the items and decrease the sugar and other crap in them. I have found the food blogs to be fantastic and I check them everyday.

I bought a loaf of GF bread and froze it and when I want a panini I take out a few slices and make it myself. It is important to not feel deprived! I also take extra fiber to supplement. I also eat the GF oatmeal by Bob's Mill.

Reading the labels is really important but if you can start making some of your own stuff as well- you can make some great dishes and breads.