Diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Now What?

You are told "You have Celiac Disease", and then you're handed the bill. Sound familiar? What's Celiac Disease (CD)? Now, what do I do?

As your doctor reads your diagnosis, your head starts to spin; you start having all these questions and concerns. It can even become emotional for some. You start thinking "Now I can't have pasta, bread, or go out to eat!? What will I do?"

You are going to grieve, it's only natural. You have, in fact, lost something. The fact that you've been thrown into the unknown is also a bit scary! I assure you over time it will get easier, it'll all seem rather normal, for the most part.

Food seems to be the foundation for so many things in our lives. The office party is a potluck, everyone brings a dish, but you can only eat the dish you bring. The holidays are always all about food. A time of year where we make everyone's favorite dishes that we all look forward to and now you cannot safely eat any of it? Or can you? Birthday parties, graduation parties, retirement parties, and the list goes on and on.

It's time to focus on what you can have and not what you cannot have. There are more naturally gluten free foods out there than you may realize at first. In 2022 there are also so many really great replacements for your favorite gluten filled foods.

Did you know that there is a lot more to being diagnosed with celiac disease than just the food? This is where speaking with a trained gluten free expert is such an important part of your health plan to help you heal and get better. The Gastroenterologist that diagnosed you likely knows all there is to know about the medical portion of celiac disease. However, he/she is likely not trained, certified, or even educated on exactly how to live a gluten free lifestyle. So, what is the 'more' you need to learn? Beyond the food aspect, there is having a safe kitchen for you to prepare your meals in, this means replacing several of your kitchen ware items. There is also the fact that most patients with celiac disease have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. On top of all that, there are foods that irritate the lining of your intestines that you may need to avoid in addition to gluten, those are usually temporary. Where should you start? Make a list of questions, add to it as more questions arise. Find a certified nutritionist that is educated in living gluten free and make an appointment for a consultation. Over time this will get easier and you will learn what you need to know in order to have a healthy life and live a safe gluten free lifestyle.

Consult with our expert nutritionist to get on the path to better health. Fill out a brief health questionnaire and we'll schedule a personalized consultation to address your wellness goals.