Navigating Life with Coeliac Disease: Challenges, Triumphs, and Gluten-Free Magic

Diagnosis Coeliac

When was your diagnosis? You know, that life-changing moment when the test results came back positive for coeliac disease. 

Or perhaps you haven’t officially been diagnosed with coeliac disease, but you know, that gluten certainly isn’t your friend! 

This is part of my story. 

“Caroline, your test results have come back. They aren’t life-threatening, but they are definitely life-changing!  I strongly think you have coeliac disease.”  said the GP. And so my life changed…

It’s an overwhelming discovery, finding out that you have coeliac disease. Eating out becomes a minefield, and grocery shopping is a long and exhaustive task. To say it’s been a real “learning curve” would be a massive understatement.

Sometimes I get mad. Cafes that have a little sign in the food cabinet, celebrating that said item is gluten-free, yet it’s placed on the bottom shelf, with gluten-containing items displayed directly above!  “Argh” I want to yell… “have you not heard of cross-contamination and cross-contact?”

Other days, I put on a brave face, and a big smile when meeting friends for coffee or lunch. All while they feast on delicious-looking cakes, and I have the dry cookie (the only thing that comes in-house prepackaged and therefore safe!) “Mmm yes this is so tasty”, I am outwardly saying, whilst inside I am crying again.

But other days, well most days now that I have my head around my dietary restrictions, it’s ok! When I am eating safely at home and cooking my food myself, or when I can oversee food preparation at friends’ and family’s homes, it’s manageable. I got this gluten-free stuff sorted! I am fabulous and awesome. My body is my temple!

Is that how you feel? 

But it’s when I encounter something out of my routine (holidays, date nights, new friends, BBQs, social events…) does it become stressful. So yep, it’s a pretty regular occurrence when I come to think about it. 

STRESSFUL! 

Checking, reading ingredients, and asking loads of questions. Always being prepared by carrying random food items stuffed into your bag, or having a snack pack at work! Just in case the munchies hit and there are no safe options.

But us gluten-free peeps, those of us with coeliac disease or who are gluten intolerant, well we are a resilient supportive group. We become expert planners, with sharp laser eyes that don’t miss anything! Buffets beware! Shared utensils banished! And NO! No thank you, I don’t want to share my food!

Together we can overcome those tiny traces of gluten, and take on the world! 

Love,
Caroline and Gluten Free Freddie

Sprinkling gluten-free magic into the world, one story at a time! 

Coeliac or Celiac?

How is it spelled? It’s like a spelling test! Where both answers are right! Here in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, we like the “o”. In the US and Canada, you remove the “o”, but it’s still pronounced the same way! Either way, the message is super clear… stay clear of gluten!!