The Celiac's Best Friend

Since my diagnosis, I've felt pretty left out.  Many social activities revolve around eating and drinking, and now that I have dietary restrictions to cope with, I haven't been invited to or involved with many gatherings.  Even at work, my co-workers don't ask if I want to "do" lunch anymore, and on ordering-in days, my cubicle is skipped over.

At home, we haven't been eating out nearly as much as we used to, except for a few times when we'd hit up Culver's and I'd order a salad.  This is good, because it's saving us a lot of money -- and fast food is a meal option that's healthy for us to miss out on, anyway.

It's just that I miss it.  A lot.  Eating out is a hard habit to break, made even more depressing by the fact that I don't have many (any?) good gluten-free fast food options.

Until now, that is!  My friend (and fellow celiac) suggested I try Jimmy Johns' "Unwiches."

These tasty morsels are just like their sub sandwiches, except they're wrapped up in crisp lettuce instead of warm bread.  They're a little bit messier to eat, but they taste amazing -- and the best part is, they're healthy and gluten-free!

It's nice to have an option that fits great with my nutrition plan (lean protein + complex carbs in one wrap!) that I can enjoy while out with family and friends.  Even if you're not on a gluten-free plan, I highly recommend trying an Unwich!

Disclaimer:  I'm not being paid by Jimmy John's to endorse their product(s), nor am I affiliated with the company in any way (besides being a loyal customer of theirs).  I'm just a somewhat crazed fan of gluten-free deliciousness!

Sabotage

I have a confession to make.

This is so bad.

I have been eating gluten.

Not a lot -- not enough to make me feel sick immediately after eating -- but enough.  Even a trace of gluten is too much for a celiac.

I don't know what my major malfunction is on this one.  I know I shouldn't be nibbling on my daughter's french fries, I know I need to avoid the mini breadsticks from the pizza parlor, I know better than to grab a croissant from the gas station on my way to work.  I can definitely tell the difference in how I feel.  In other words, I've felt like crap the past couple of days, and I know it's because I've been giving myself permission to slowly poison myself.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.

The problem is, I can't seem to stop.  One little french fry seems so harmless... even when it turns into two, three, or even ten.  But continue that gluten consumption over the next few days, and it becomes too much.  Way too much.

Part of my problem is, I haven't found the "good" gluten-free products yet.  Most of the gluten-free options I've sampled taste plain nasty, if they have any flavor at all.  And because gluten is the "glue" that holds many foods together, when it's removed from the recipe, the dish just turns out wrong.

Another barrier is that I don't have any celiac or gluten intolerant connections.  I don't have anyone to talk to who relates to and understands what it feels like to have celiac disease; to be told that you can never, ever eat gluten again.  (I'm a super big baby on this point, because food as always been like a comfort blanket to me.  A bad day could easily be remedied by a nice, comforting bowl of Noodles & Co. Wisconsin Mac and Cheese.  Now, I can't turn to my old comforts anymore -- and it's making my anxiety level skyrocket!)

The good (bad?) news is, I feel completely miserable now.  I feel like I did before I went gluten-free in the first place, which is pretty darn crappy.  I'm hoping that feeling miserable will be enough to remind me to eat healthily and to treat myself well.

Because I deserve it.

Fit Point: Alternative Diet

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Alternative Diet Options
This week’s Fit Point explores Alternative diet options: Many health conscious individuals may be Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free dieters or employ other alternatives to the normal dieting habits even semi-regularly, and we want to hear about them! What are the health benefits of the way you eat, and why did you decide to eat this way? What is your favorite recipe?

I considered myself to be a vegetarian on-and-off throughout middle and high school, but my dedication was never great and the commitment never lasted long.

Now, however, I'm in an entirely different boat.  I have celiac disease, which means that I must stick to a strictly gluten-free diet.  (Gluten is a protein that is found in grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye.  It acts as a toxin in my body, causing lower-intestine inflammation and a host of other problems).  So long as I avoid all gluten-containing foods and products, I'll be fine (once all traces of the protein leave my body).

So yes, there are a LOT of things that I can't have.  Most breads, pastas, and cereals contain wheat or gluten, sauces frequently contain gluten as a thickening agent, the glue on envelopes has gluten in it -- even certain medications and cosmetics contain gluten products!
The health benefit is clear, though -- I am forced to avoid a lot of junk foods.  Most fast food, candies, cheap chocolates, and snack foods are off-limits.  Losing weight and being healthy is going to be much easier with the removal of most of my biggest temptations!

Since my diagnosis, I have been eating a lot of salads.  I'm kind of a minimalist -- my favorite salad is made with fresh baby spinach, corn, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, a sprinkle of cheese, and a drizzle of low-fat dressing.  Yum -- I think I know what's for dinner tonight!