Anybody have coelics disease?

[3Rainbows]

Im going to be tested for the above and wondered if anybody has or knows anybody with this disease?

I have read quite a good website about a gluten free diet etc but how easy is it to change and cope with the drastic change of diet. Surely going out for dinner or a trip to the cinema etc is no longer straight forward?

Can anyone help or offer advice?

3R x

[3Rainbows]

Would help if i spelt it correctly. Coeliacs disease.

[jiggy-gb]

I was tested for this earlier in the year, turned out i had many things but not coeliacs, thankfully. I do have an allergy to wheat but not an intolerance, which is better as i get a nasty reaction but not the effects on my immune system that coeliacs causes. I find it quite easy to avoid wheat as i've never been a fan of fast food so avoiding burgers, pies, butties etc is not a big issue. The problems lie in such things as gravy and other sauces when you're eating out. More and more decent restaurants are offering gluten free options these days and if you book in advance for a meal and tell them you need gluten free you may well be able to pre-order your meal. A good chef can make wonderful sauces using cream instead of a roux with flour if given a bit of notice.

I would say that all it requires is a little more planning each day, don't leave lunches to chance when you're out or at work, most options are bread or pastry based, always have a gluten free snack in your bag when going out and make more meals from scratch, it's healthier for you anyway.

Fingers crossed you don't have it though, an allergy is easier to deal with. You could well have ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis etc, all give rotten symptoms (i have them all, lol) and that's why you need proper tests. Good luck :o)

[Hellyon]

Hi my sisters nephew is coeliac and my friend has an allergic type reaction if she eats wheat (diarohea and stomach cramps).

As jiggy -gb says it takes a bit more planning but is not impossible, problems are with hiddedn wheat/gluten like gravy, yoghurt, etc. Be aware that many items marked as gluten free are not necessarily wheat free.
There are some excellent recipe books on the market and wheat/gluten free products are now much better labelled than before. Most supermarkets now have a special section.
The trick is you need to change your mindset don't think 'I can't eat bread so I'll have to have a subsititute bread' Think more along the lines of 'I can't eat bread so what completely different other yummy things can I eat instead' .

[miacat]

I totally agree with Hellyon - it's like being on a diet, substitute foods taste like rubbish are nothing like the real thing. My mother-in-law has this and spends half her life (and money!) looking for cakes, biscuits and bread that are gluten-free and they are all disgusting. Just try to change your eating habits - there's plenty of good things out there for you to eat. I know it's easy for me to say! Good luck!

[Southernboun]

I have several friends who are Ceoliac, and as a chef i try to make my menu as gluten free as possible, within constraints. I can help you with sourcing products and recipes. Visit my new facebook site http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59699174 35&ref=mf