Gluten-free diet: What has worked? Your tips

I am very new to GF. Only been GF for three months. Use almond flour for the little baking I have done and carefully read all labels. Dealing with people is entirely different as I am always being offered items with gluten. I am just very patient, smile a lot and either decline or on rare occasions take a piece of the item, put it on my plate but then will not consume it. But that is hardest part for me. I am not a big cookie/dessert eater, so seeing others consume gluten items or cakes or sweets does not bother me. Just dislike when others become pushy and insist. I am also on other dietary restrictions right now so must be very careful with what I eat. Being healthy, however, is most important to me.

Oh man, looking at a menu for days is absolutely right! In fact I am possibly going out for lunch today and I spent last evening doing that. Need to find a place my friend would like that has ANYTHING safe for me. And it ain't easy.
I am healthier but 2 yrs ago my hubbie and I got Fitbits and began tracking what we eat, calorie-wise. That has resulted in a healthier, more fit couple. The gf diet, I think of as my medical treatment for an incurable disease. My dad had colon cancer about 5 yrs ago and has had digestive issues for my whole life. And he's 100 % Irish. So I'm guessing he is an undiagnosed Celiac and it's come from his side. At 81 it seems it won't be what kills him but I have heard many stories from ppl who think a relative did die from it. I consider myself lucky to have finally been diagnosed (took a few yrs for them to ID why my ferratin was always so very low - it was being Celiac).
Anyway, good luck at the chain restaurant!
Theresa

Oh man, looking at a menu for days is absolutely right! In fact I am possibly going out for lunch today and I spent last evening doing that. Need to find a place my friend would like that has ANYTHING safe for me. And it ain't easy.
I am healthier but 2 yrs ago my hubbie and I got Fitbits and began tracking what we eat, calorie-wise. That has resulted in a healthier, more fit couple. The gf diet, I think of as my medical treatment for an incurable disease. My dad had colon cancer about 5 yrs ago and has had digestive issues for my whole life. And he's 100 % Irish. So I'm guessing he is an undiagnosed Celiac and it's come from his side. At 81 it seems it won't be what kills him but I have heard many stories from ppl who think a relative did die from it. I consider myself lucky to have finally been diagnosed (took a few yrs for them to ID why my ferratin was always so very low - it was being Celiac).
Anyway, good luck at the chain restaurant!
Theresa

Not only do I have possible celiac disease, but I've been told by 2 doctors to eat a low fiber diet (due to endometriosis on my intestines). One doctor even told me to cook my veggies and fruits. I have found people seem to understand about celiac disease and being gluten free, they don't seem to realize that gluten sensitivity (which is me) also must be gluten free. They think being sensitive means limiting gluten, not avoiding it. Sorry, but that is wrong thinking! Gluten sensitive still must avoid gluten. And women especially don't understand why I can't eat salads if the restaurant has nothing gluten free to offer. I guess they think I just don't like salads, when in reality my intestines can't handle the raw veggies or fruits, and the extra fiber.
Does anyone else have this problem?

My GI dr told me interesting news when I went to be tested for celiac. He said that he has noticed the Irish tend to get celiac more often than other people. I am half Irish. My friends with celiac also have Irish in them. It seems to be true.

My GI dr told me interesting news when I went to be tested for celiac. He said that he has noticed the Irish tend to get celiac more often than other people. I am half Irish. My friends with celiac also have Irish in them. It seems to be true.

@airey2
Hi,

This is so interesting and I did a little research because, although I do not have CD, my mom was born in Ireland and my dad in England. I found that both parents have to have the gene in order for it to occur in the next generation. They have identified it as a mutant gene which may have been around since 900 AD and is prevalent in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Europe. It was originally called the Celtic Disease. There is research suggesting a relation to another mutant gene causing an iron overload (not anemia) called Hemochromatosis.

You think of Irish food and you think of potatoes and oats. They theorize that the Irish , in the early centuries , had a high gluten diet. But even though the diet has changed dramatically, the gluten intolerant genes persisted ultimately leading to the high rate of CD in these countries. And it’s not only the Celtic countries.

I remember my mom, who had 2 Irish parents and grandparents, having stomach problems when she was about 50. She had 3/4s of her stomach removed after having suffered a duodenal ulcer for a long time. I don’t know if she had CD but she could eat anything after that operation but only small amounts. My dad never had a problem with stomach issues. His ancestors were a mix of Irish and English so I am guessing he did not have this gene and perhaps my mom did.

Anyway, now I know how the name originated. We have one friend who has celiac and I know how hard it is to live with that. She suffers when she doesn’t pay attention to what she eats.

FL Mary

My GI dr told me interesting news when I went to be tested for celiac. He said that he has noticed the Irish tend to get celiac more often than other people. I am half Irish. My friends with celiac also have Irish in them. It seems to be true.