My mid-teen is newly diagnosed Coeliac & for the first few weeks, it's been going pretty well. Now though, both her and I are starting to struggle - her with her emotional well being & feeling ok about herself / her confidence and me with cooking ideas, worries about her and trying to keep balanced so I am emotionally supporting her. It's like a big light bulb moment when you realise, this is the rest of her life, and we've both had that moment recently.
I know it could be 100 times worse & I know it's manageable but it's hard, especially eating out, which we've stopped doing. The general availability of GF safe foods seems to be limited to hot chips. It's also hard when places don't take it seriously so you just end up feeling like an idiot asking about GF - she got laughed at recently, so just ate something off the menu and was sick for days.
Luckily, we've not had to change diet at home too much - we generally eat very healthy / whole foods. Bonus is she's not a fussy kid either and will try anything.
So... looking for your favourite GF recipes (or ideas that can be turned into GF) family meals or treats, and best tips for eating out please.
And also, any great ideas you might have about how I can support her and help her feel better about it. I know it's a time thing, but it's tough & a bit sad right now x
5 Replies
Take your daughter to her GP for a mental health care plan, so she can see a psychologist to discuss how she’s feeling about everything. Probably wouldn’t hurt for you to get a plan so you can see someone too. Maybe get a referral to a dietitian as well, to help guide you on what she can and can’t eat. Check out the health food aisle at Coles or Woolies to see what gluten free premade snacks are available. You can buy gluten free flours so you should be able to adjust recipes you already make so they are gluten free. (I started eating low carb a couple of years ago, and still essentially use the same recipes I’ve always used, I’ve just adjusted the ingredients so they’re low carb. Takes a bit more prep work, but still tastes just as good as it always did.)
Join some Support groups on fb. I know many type 1 diabetic kids with celiac, it’s linked and it’s tough to deal with. I think the support groups would share some great recipies and advice.
This page has information, maybe worth joining for the first 12 months to help navigate, it's $110.
https://www.coeliac.org.au/s/
Or get a referral to a dietician or clinical nutritionist.
Maybe you could put what area you're in so locals on a GF diet can give you their best places for eating out. If anyone laughs at her again dead pan them and say, "she has a disease". Guaranteed to put them in their place. Also be careful of hot chips because many that are used in restaurants have a flour coating on them to provide crunch. Just to make your life a bit harder.
Eating out as a Coeliac is fraught. My girlfriend is a sensitive Coeliac and rarely eats when we go out as a group. She has a few trusted restaurants that she knows are vigilant and we frequent them. Be super careful of GF on menus. Most are Gluten Friendly not Gluten Free... You are right people just don't get it. And I am amazed that chefs and food preparers don't actually know what gluten is and where it is found. I thought it (along with food intolerances and food technology in general) would be one of the key topics in hospitality education.
I have learned lots of fantastic recipes over the years to ensure she is included on our home gatherings. In fact I pretty much have swapped to gluten free for anything that's 'shared'. Eg Pate, crackers, dips, etc. Or anything on the menu if she is participating. Not worth risking her health. In the last 5-10 years the Coeliac choices in super markets have improved 1000%.
Good luck in your journey