There are times in life that I wish I would have listened to other people rather than foolishly believing I knew what I was doing. The first thing that comes to my mind is when I bought a condo in a REALLY BAD part of town in Providence after living in Rhode Island for 6 months. My Mom urged me not to buy it but I was 24 years old and knew *everything,* after all, what would she know about urban living? In typical Mom fashion, she knew much more than I did. I bought the condo, basically moved in with my then-boyfriend/now husband a month later and ended up selling it a year later for $20,000 less than I bought it for. An expensive lesson that could have been much worse considering those condos are selling for less than half of what we bought them for in 2005. I consider myself lucky that I was able to sell the darn thing and didn’t get shot (my ears still perk up when I hear about a shooting/stabbing in Providence and I silently take bets on if it was my old block. They usually are).
Eight years later, I’ve learned to listen to my Mom much sooner than years past. When she was visiting a few weeks ago she noticed that my kids gravitate to certain types of food.They always choose a piece of fruit or meat over a piece of bread. When most kids love pizza, mine would rather eat fresh broccoli (my friend Beth Ann’s husband was in shock when he witnessed Jackson turning down cupcakes for broccoli). My Mom mentioned that maybe they have some sort of dietary issue that causes them to gravitate towards those foods. She mentioned a gluten sensitivity and this time, I listened.
I first heard about celiac disease from the Hasbro Feeding Team specialist who mentioned that Jackson’s blood test had something funny regarding the test for celiac. I also had twitter friends who mentioned the possibility of a gluten intolerance or celiac disease for his weight gain issues. It’s not that I didn’t listen to these people, but it is. I didn’t listen and I wish I would have researched it more when it was first mentioned. A Rhody Blogger friend, Kirsten (QueenoftheEarth.com), also mentioned her gluten-free diet when we were at the Blue Man Group show a few weeks ago. Hearing about her success with the lifestyle change caused me to really take this gluten thing seriously. After diving head first into gluten intolerance/celiac disease research for the past week, I’m much less scared with the possibility of celiac disease but am more hopeful that I can find relief for my kids. I haven’t even mentioned it because I am so exhausted from Jackson’s FTT diagnosis, but Sidney has now basically earned a FTT (Failure to Thrive) diagnosis since her weight plummeted from the 50th percentile to the 5th percentile. The same time Jackson did, right after weaning at 13 months.
I’m not going to ramble anymore but am thrilled that I have personally eliminated gluten from my diet and feel much better and clearer than before. My stomach hurts less and the canker sores I have always suffered from are gone. However, last weekend when we went on our ski trip I fell off the wagon and into the gluten pit. I felt like crap until today, but that could have also been the excess of beer I had too (I know beer has gluten but the keg was too tempting). Hangovers are not the same as a 32 year old Mom of 2 toddlers, they last for DAYS.
I’m working on getting the kids’ diets gluten-free as well, but it is much trickier than just switching mine. I need to find alternatives for the chicken nuggets and crackers that they like– any suggestions?
I’d love to hear about your experience with going gluten free, I’ll take all of the help I can get!
It’s great that maybe you’ll get some answers for the kids by going gluten free! For chicken nuggets and other gluten free products, I’d think Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods would be your best bet.
Thanks Sarah! I’m going to check out TJ’s today!
Your blog looks different!
I don’t know a whole lot about gluten free :/
But maybe grilled chicken nuggets? It may be a bit of an adjustment but still quick and easy. I don’t know if y’all have Chic Fil A up there, but they have them in Kids Meals. I know Publix (do y’all have one of those?!) have a huge Gluten Free section. I know there are a ton of gluten free blogs, and I bet there are a lot of kids tips. I think it’s great that you’ve found something that has seemed to really help!!!
Thanks Katie! Sadly we don’t have Chick Fil A because it is my fav!!! I’m going to search out some GF blogs, thanks 🙂
We love the Blue Diamond Nut Thins. They are usually in the natural foods aisle at Stop & Shop. The Almond ones are my favorite, and Benjamin loves them with hummus. I haven’t found a gluten free chicken nugget, but I have a few recipes for them that are easy. Benjamin has liked this one: http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=36211&CategoryId=341 which uses corn Chex as the breading!
And remember, beer has gluten too! So the combination of eating gluten plus drinking beer with gluten, and just drinking in general could have all contributed to your overall meh feeling!
Going gluten free is tough. But if you are committed, it really does make a huge difference!!
Thanks Melissa! I definitely knew beer has gluten, but with the keg and eating other gluten I just kinda went crazy. Thanks for the links, LOVE it!!!
I’m trying to go Gluten Free also, while you don’t have a Chick-fil-a there you could probably make the grilled nuggets at home, (pinterest) I’d like to add that the beer might not have just been a hang-over but it was probably a big part of your “gluten pit” as it contains Barley and should be eliminated when going gluten free, I just read that the other day. Good luck on your journey, I’m starting mine because they say psorisis can be linked to gluten intolerance and I just want to see if my psorisis flare up will go away 🙂
I say go GF all the way, BUT, first let them confirm at Hasbro. Just in case it is something else, you don’t want to have eliminated the foods from your diet, and the kids diets, until they have all the info they need. Because your body can and will heal after removing gluten, it makes it close to impossible for them to tell with any certainty if Celiac Disease is the accurate diagnosis. My kids are much better now, growing like weeds. My husband tested negative, but he felt so lousy that they did more tests and he showed sensitivities to wheat, whey and cassein. Push back until you get all the details and then you can steer the kids back to all the good and healthy foods that they love. Good luck! XOXO
i’m glad you may have found a solution to some of the food issues! i know it will make a world of difference for you. you can make gluten-free chicken nuggets by buying gluten-free bread crumbs! i got mine at stop & shop, in their GF section. we aren’t completely GF, but we try to limit the kids to it (chad and i only have it on cheat days- and you’re right– we take 2 days to recover b/c we feel like complete CRAP). i’m about to switch to Paleo Bread completely here– (you can buy it at Back to Basics market in EG), so they can use that for toast or sandwiches, that they rarely eat. If you go completely GF, make sure you research the foods it’s in, b/c it’s in the weirdest things you’d never guess (like soy sauce). TJ’s has things like waffles, pancakes, etc. and I bet WF has a bunch more options. WE basically swapped out our ingredients that we cook with, eliminating it that way. GOOD LUCK with it!!! I’m curious to hear about your progress with it for the kiddos. Love that J chose broccoli over a cupcake! (My kids would beat each other down for a cupcake. LOL.)
No advice as we have no gluten issues here, but wanted to wish you good luck!!!!!
first off i had no idea there was gluten in beer! wow. i have no advice for you (sorry!) because i haven’t dealt with all this, but i am looking forward to seeing how it goes with you and the kids. amazed that in such a short time you are already feeling better too. maybe its something i will look into more. sorry you are having such a hard time with the kids. you are a GREAT mom – do not forget that. xo
I’ve been reducing gluten for a year now. It’s been life changing. I can’t even tell you all the ways. From heart “issues” to leg cramps to clarity.
When I’m not watching it, I feel miserable so that’s incentive enough. But it’s not always easy.
Joanna,
I have used a number of recipes from http://joelens.blogspot.com/ in my everyday cooking. She also has a section that lists some suggestions for pantry staples.
I also came across this article that addresses gluten free beer: http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2013/02/gluten-free-beer-tastes-good.html
Good luck!
I went G-free the year before I had G because my stomach was a mess and at first I thought it was dairy, but found I felt so much better sans gluten. Once I got pregnant my stomach seemed to rectify the situation…funny how that happens and I was able to digest gluten again. I avoid it now as much as I can because I felt so much better without it. No more bloated and blah feeling. Chipotle is G free if you get their burrito bowl and some items at Wendy’s are too. I have the book G-free diet by Elizabeth Hasselbeck and its a great resource. Also, Whole Foods has tons of options…tons!
I not too familiar with what is gluten free because it hasn’t been a concern for my family; however, I know Cape Cod and Snyder products are gluten free. Stop and Shop carries Applegate organic and gluten free nuggets.
One of my friends has become gluten free by choice – not due to any allergies. It is difficult at times, and has only been at it for two weeks, but was surprised how many options there are out there for those who need to steer clear. It gets tricky if you have any other allergies (dairy, or are vegan) but she has been happy with it so far. She has experimented with recipes like this: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2041020
Good luck!
I always enjoy your posts. You are so smart to open your heart and “own up” to your mistakes. You’re such a good mom, and by doing this, your kids are learning EVEN MORE great things from you. I have been hearing amazing things from people about how they feel when they go gluten-free, and I’m glad you’re listening to your mom! It sounds like you’re all better off without it! There are so many options out there with meals and snacks…and desserts if your kids decide they like cupcakes again, I can’t wait to hear what else you have in store in your new gluten-free journey.
I have been considering it because I have stomach issues and am always bloated. I’m going to start seeing a nutritionist soon and I’m going to ask about cutting it out. The only thing that scares me is the beer, it’s pretty much all I drink, I’m not a big wine drinker and I can toss back a bottle of beer in less than 15 seconds. I am also a bread and cracker addict. My kids love fruits and vegetables. My oldest gets a salad just about everyday at school for lunch, but they would NEVER pass up a cupcake (we had a fistfight last week over the last one a few days ago, I settled it by eating it).
I’m glad you’ve found a potential solution for the issues your family has had!! My cousin has recently gone gluten free due to sensitivity and its been great for her.
There are gluten free beers, and hard cider is gluten free too 😉
We haven’t tried gluten free but a lot of people I know swear by it. Hope this is the solution you’re looking for!
I don’t have much personal experience, but I have a BFF from middle school who was diagnosed with as a celiac, and she has found SO much relief with following her prescribed diet. I wish you so much love and luck <3
We’ve been trying alternatives to foods with gluten… The lentil crisps/crackers arre really good & Diamond makes a almond/rice cracker we liked. I buy Ezekiel products…bread, wraps, pockets… http://www.foodforlife.com/about_us/ezekiel-49
While we are not a Gluten Free household, my nephew has celiac disease and there house is all gluten free. THey absolutely love living that way. In 2 years, my nephew grew leaps and bounds.