Celiac Crazy
I’ve been hearing a lot lately about Celiac disease in the news. I think it’s great, after all Celiac Disease is severely under diagnosed in the United States and people with Celiac Disease are often misdiagnosed with things like IBS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. On the other hand I’m hearing a lot of misinformation (like Celiac Disease is an allergy) and some people are turning gluten free diets into a fad. So publicity is a double edged sword.
I’m also noticing some things about the GF community now that I’m reading so many GF blogs and working so hard to get healthy. For starters a person with Celiac Disease (NOT Celiacs Disease, sorry pet peeve) is not ‘a Celiac’. Every time I read a sentence like: ‘Celiacs have an intolerance to wheat’ I want to pull my hair out. It’s a misuse of the word but worse it’s totally defining the person by their disease. I’m not my disease, I’m not a celiac, I’m a human being who has Celiac Disease. And while we’re on the subject, please don’t refer to me as a cancer survivor. Cancer doesn’t define my life, it’s a small fraction of what makes me who I am but it’s not the defining factor of my being.
The other thing that’s really been bothering me is the fact that every GF blog is focused primarily on bread products. Where to buy them, how to make them, what to use as a substitute. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some bread. Before my diagnosis I was breads biggest fan. When we had to stop eating out Olive Garden called to make sure I was all right. But come on guys! Bread, pasta, pastries, they’re all great but we’re becoming a little obsessive. Instead of fighting your condition why not work with it? Embrace it?
I’m not saying I never eat bread products. I’ll make a pie and some stuffing for Thanksgiving. I have a homemade granola bar (or two) every day. I’ve even been known to buy a box of Pamela’s cookies once in awhile. But just like the disease doesn’t define me, my dietary restrictions don’t rule my diet. Going GF can be a really good thing, even for folks with Celiac Disease. It’s naturally low carb. Then we go and muck it up by eating all kinds of GF bread products that cost twice as much as the wheat variety and tend to have even more carbs and fat than the originals. Every GF food blog I read lists tons of recipes (primarily bread products) but almost never lists the nutritional information. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but just because you have dietary restrictions doesn’t mean you get a free pass on fat and calories.
No one is saying you have to give up bread products for life but there are a whole lot of other foods out there that are cheaper, better for you, easier to find and taste really good. So please folks, broaden your horizons. There’s a whole world of yummy food out there just waiting for you. So put down the rice bread and visit your local farmers market. And remember, you have Celiac Disease, you aren’t Celiac Disease.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Thank you for this posting. I do not have celiac disease, but due to my infertility (PCOS) it was recommended that I go gluten free. I have started to learn a little as a dear friend was just recently diagnosed. This has helped me understand a little more and I love that you don’t just concentrate on bread, but on other foods as well. Thanks a million for those of us who want to learn more!!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I agree with you about the whole bread issue. First of all why would anyone want to eat something that tastes like flat cardboard? I was diagnosed over 5 years ago and I live a very good food life. There are many foods that are naturally gluten free and find that one can enjoy life without gluten or even trying to replace it. I eat healthier now that I ever did with a gluten heavy diet. My philosophy is don’t replace what you can’t eat but expand what you can.
June 24th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
1/10th of my high school class was diagnosed with Celiac Disease within 2 years of graduation. I don’t know much about it, but I do remember all of us obsessing over the bread & dairy products. When you’re eighteen and eat pizza religiously every Tuesday… We still sort of obsess over it still. Thank you for your article. Sometimes it’s hard to remember there are other foods besides the teenager’s staples.