Looking back on my childhood, one thing is pretty clear: I had Celiac Disease. Hindsight really is 20/20! Neither myself nor my parents had any idea that everyday foods I was consuming were contributing to my illness. Those horrible tummy aches, the bloating, the exhaustion - we just thought it was irritable bowel. I just had a "sensitive stomach".
Flash forward to my freshman year of college in the spring of 2005. After I spent a weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks with my best friend from high school, I became painfully ill. I vividly remember sitting in the front seat of her silver Pathfinder clutching my knees to my chest as waves of sharp, shooting pains traveled through my abdomen. I called my father, a physician (ironic?), terrified that I was having some sort of appendicitis attack. He assured me that the pain I was feeling was most likely not appendicitis, but said we would investigate this once I returned home.
Upon my arrival home, my father told me what I thought at the time was the stupidest thing ever: "You might be allergic to wheat." He had done some research on the potential causes of my pain and concluded that I likely had gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. "You have got to be kidding me," I thought. My favorite foods were chock-full of wheat: Goldfish, sandwiches (esp PB&J), bread, bagels, crackers, cookies. To say I was a carb queen is a bit of an understatement. I didn't want to believe what he was saying, but after going to the gastroenterologist, undergoing blood-tests, and completing an elimination diet the truth was more clear than ever: I had to cut out the gluten.
I can't lie - at first I was so in denial about my diagnosis. Here I was at 18, having to change my eating habits completely. I couldn't just go out to dinner with my friends anymore and order the pasta or a sandwich. Birthdays meant no more cake and cookies. Have you ever tried to go to a party and eat gluten free?? Have fun with the carrot sticks! I was so upset about this new diagnosis that I did the unthinkable: I ate gluten. I know. So stupid. But I was 18 and I didn't want to be any different from my friends. I didn't want any limitations put on my life or my diet.
It wasn't until I read the book, "Skinny Bitch" that I decided to eliminate the gluten forever. It was the spring of 2008 and I knew I needed to make a change. I was exhausted all of the time, I was so bloated that my mother once visited me on campus and was concerned that I was pregnant, and I had a constant rash on my elbows and knees (Dermatitis Herpetiformis). On May 31, 2008 I went out with a bang. Taco Bell (yeah the meat contains wheat), pizza, cookies, Cheez-Its, Goldfish, cake - it really is disgusting how much gluten I ate that day. On June 1, 2008 I woke up a very sick, but gluten free girl.
It's been almost 5 years now that I've been learning to cope with Celiac Disease and avoid gluten at all cost. It hasn't always been easy and I've been accidentally glutened more times than I'd like to remember. But I've learned a lot - I'm an expert on hidden gluten, I can transform a recipe to be gluten free like no one's business, and I've been happy to be able to try many new gluten free products as the industry has expanded.
There's still room for improvement, though. I recently was told by a waitress at a Disney affiliated property that the only gluten free item on the menu was the "wheat crust pizza". Fortunately, the manager of the restaurant knew better and brought me a gluten free menus. To my disappointment, though, my options were salad with no dressing or a burger with absolutely no sauces and no french fries. I don't know about you, but I go out to eat for enjoyment - not to eat rabbit food that I could make at home for much cheaper! Disney World is, for the most part, a gluten free diner's heaven! Avoid Splitsville if your travels take you that way, though ;-)
Gluten free dining in Saint Louis has improved over time, but there's still room for improvement. I'd like to use my knowledge and talents to help others navigate the gluten free lifestyle (by choice or not). I remember my first gluten free shopping trip - it took me 2+ hours to shop because I had to read every label. If someone had been there to help me the task would have been much less daunting. I'd also love to get into consulting with local restaurants about accommodating gluten free diners by providing staff education, menu item development, and creating safe work spaces for dietary needs.
Gluten free is totally the way to be and I look forward to providing reviews of new products and my dining experiences in the 'Lou!
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