A member of the Eating Gluten Free team is writing this blog post to talk about how to live a gluten-free life as a kid and teenager, from their experience of being diagnosed at a young age.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease at 15, and I have now been gluten-free for 11 years. My celiac diagnosis came out of nowhere. One day I was eating gluten products, and the next, I was told it would be detrimental to my health to ever eat it again. Just like that.
My mother put a slice of gluten-free bread in front of me and asked, “How would you feel if you had to eat this for the rest of your life?” Initially, it didn’t seem that drastic, but as the list of all the things I’d never eat again grew, the tighter my chest felt. It took quite some time to feel okay about eating gluten-free, and that might sound silly, after all, it’s just something you eat. However, looking back, there are a few things I’d like to tell my younger self.
Gluten-Free Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken
After my diagnosis, I walked around school feeling like there was something wrong with me like it was written across my forehead: BROKEN. I thought that people would think I was weird, that I’d be a reject. I’m here to tell you, that people are allergic to all kinds of things. They have varying health challenges, disabilities, struggles, etc. You are not some weirdo now. You are the person you’ve always been. This new thing doesn’t change that. So if it feels like a struggle or a little earth-shattering for a minute, that’s totally okay. Just know: gluten sensitivity or food allergies do not define you, and Celiac doesn’t have to ruin your life. I promise it will get better.
Encourage Kids to Talk About It and Seek Support
At first, I wanted to keep my celiac disease a secret from anyone that wasn’t in my family. I quickly realized that it wasn’t some dirty secret; it was a lifestyle change, and I needed the support. As I told people in my life, it became common knowledge. Keep in mind: this was back before celebrities were going gluten-free or doing keto, so there weren’t as many options.
Now, everybody knows somebody who is gluten-free for one reason or another. It also becomes easier to cope with being gluten-free when you talk about it, joke about it, and are upfront about your needs. The people who love and care about you can support you through this challenging transition. In my experience, my friends stuck up for me when I was made fun of for eating “cardboard”. This is a new and important thing about you, and you deserve to be treated with respect. I hope so much that you have that support in your home and your friendships.
Find Your Go-To Foods That Are Safe
Right after my diagnosis, eating was overwhelming. I would pause mid-chew and panic, worried that I’d eaten something glutenous without thinking. So I started to look for foods that I liked; things that I knew would be gluten-free and easily accessible. This is the way to do it: First, start at your local grocery store and look for gluten-free foods. Some stores have whole sections, and others incorporate gluten-free items with regular foods. Ask a sales associate to help you, and start from there! Also, learn how to read food labels. It’s not always obvious if something is going to be gluten-free or not. Second, assemble a list and purchase everything from basics, like gluten-free pasta and cake mix, all the way to snacks, you might keep in your backpack or car. Then if you need a snack or go somewhere that doesn’t have gluten-free options, you still have something to munch on.
It’s okay to put your health first by planning and making choices that promote your wellbeing
I never wanted to be that person who was seen as attention-seeking or obnoxious about being gluten-free, but this is a serious need. You aren’t being demanding or rude. It took me a long time to have the courage to say, “Thank you for the thought, but I can’t eat this” after someone brought me cookies for my birthday. You are not a bad person for avoiding foods that hurt your body. In large social situations where there’s nothing you can eat, it’s okay to say “no thank you” and whip out a gluten-free granola bar, or even bring your gluten-free foods ahead of time. You’re doing what you need to do to stay healthy, and that’s what’s important. You might be surprised at who wants to share your GF treat.
Eating Gluten-Free is here to help, support, and inspire your journey since 2006
You’ve come to a good place since you’re still reading this blog post! At Eating Gluten Free, we are a family full of people with celiac disease. We get it. And if you have questions or need support, we would love to be there for you! You are not alone in this journey!
Whether it’s just you who eats gluten-free in your family, or if there are a few of you, I highly recommend that you all join gluten-free Facebook groups. Everyone can get more support from other people who are going through similar things. These groups will share cool new gluten-free products that people have tried and loved, as well as things they didn’t love so much. This could help save time and money when it comes to finding safe foods you’ll love and enjoy. At Eating Gluten Free, we have lots of resources on everything from writing grocery lists to eating at restaurants, as well as TONS of recipes for every meal of the day, including dessert.
Remember: This time might feel super overwhelming, but there will be a day in the not-so-far-off future when you’ll sit down and eat an entire meal without even thinking about gluten. You’ll adjust, your family and friends will adjust, and life will taste good again. If you’re looking for products to help start your gluten-free cooking and baking journey, check out our product line of flours, oats, and easy mixes. They are tried and tested and very much loved by our family and our customers. You’ve got this!
