Archive for Blog – Page 2

Invited Yet Not Included

By Jenna Drew · Comments (0)
Friday, September 17th, 2010

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Summer is coming to an end now and people are already starting to think about the Holidays. With the Holiday time comes lots of family get-togethers, food, and parties. Many times each and every one of the holiday events that you are invited to will have food as the main attraction.

Being on a gluten free diet can be most difficult around this time between November and just into the New Year. With each invitation comes another hostess (or host) to talk with about your diet restrictions.

This extra effort on your part may make you feel not really included in all of the festivities, so here’s three ways to ensure your enjoyment!

Talk with the Hostess Ahead of Time
Even when the event is hosted by one of your closest friends who is aware of your gluten free diet, you must take the steps to make sure you will either have a safe gluten free meal or enough notice to bring your own preplanned plate. The reason you must talk with every one (even your friends) is because the hostess is busy preparing for numerous guests and may over look your diet restrictions. Taking the time to prepare ahead of time will save any strain or headaches on the night of the event.

Talk with the Caterer
If you are attending a corporate holiday, awards party or banquet, it may be more beneficial to talk with the caterer instead of the party planner. Most caterers have experience working with many diet restrictions and will be able to work with you to develop a full dinner.

Eat Before the Event
For some occasions, it may be best to simply eat dinner before the event (even if you’ve pre-arranged something with the hostess). If you feel uncomfortable at all about your food being prepared in a gluten free environment, then follow your instincts. It is better to go to the event and taste the food (if it is safe) then to go to the event and be hungry all night!

Although we do have some time before Holiday festivities begin, take this time to educate some of your friends and family on your diet restrictions and how you are affected from accidentally consuming gluten.

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Gluten Free & Depression: Is there a link?

By Jenna Drew · Comments (1)
Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Many studies have been researching the links between a gluten free diet (because of the presence of Celiac Disease) and depression. According to a study conducted by Addolorato et al.*, the introduction to a gluten free diet and following the diet for one year failed to affect the symptoms of depressions in Celiac patients.

Some have hypothesized that there is a link between the feelings of depression and a reduction in the quality of life in Celiacs.

Think about this for a moment, these patients are experiencing a higher quality life because they no longer have the symptoms of Celiac Disease (i.e. diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, cramping, bloating, fatigue, ulcers, skin rash, and migraines) because of the gluten free diet. However, they were feeling depressed because of a reduction in the quality of their life.

This reduction to the quality of life is often the feelings of being alone in your gluten free diet, especially when there is no one closely connected with you that is on your gluten free life path.

Do you see the importance of not only changing your diet when you begin to eat gluten free, but also the need to realign your thinking?

As the Gluten Free Lifestyle Coach, I focus on the lifestyle aspect and your energy surrounding your gluten free diet. Even though you are not alone in your new gluten free diet, it is very natural to feel like you are the only one with severe diet restrictions especially at family dinners, specials events and holiday parties when you must pre-arrange a specialized menu with the host. I want to help you learn to celebrate and embrace your healthy gluten free diet.

Resources
*Addolorato G, et al. Anxiety and depression in adult untreated celiac subjects and in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease: a personality “trait” or a reactive illness? Hepatogastroenterology. 1996 Nov-Dec; 43(12):1513-7

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3 Ways to Jump Start Your Gluten Free Diet

By Jenna Drew · Comments (1)
Monday, August 23rd, 2010

When you first start a gluten free diet, it can feel very intimidating.  That’s only natural.  You are forcing yourself to change your whole mindset of food and how it affects your body.

Just a few years ago, if you would have talk to most primary care physicians, many would have dismissed your thoughts and turned you away.  In fact, a doctor actually wrote a script to see a psychologist for one of my good friends on a Gluten Free Diet because of her thoughts, concerns and observations with her own symptoms.   Today, doctors are being to be more open to a gluten free diet as a life choice, but they are not always the best people to turn to for support on your new found gluten free diet.

Here is a list of 3 ways to really help you jump start your gluten free diet:

Join a Support Organization.

Visit the websites of the top gluten free support organizations and find out which ones meet in your area.  The organizations that I support are the Gluten Intolerance Group, Celiac Sprue Association and the Celiac Disease Foundation.  There are chapters of these organizations spread around the country, but you will want to double check if a local chapter meets in your area.  If one doesn’t, consider starting a local chapter to bring more gluten free dieters together to celebrate this healthy lifestyle.

Start a Food Journal.

Start writing about the food that you eat at each meal and journal about how you feel.    This really helped me to see the progress that my mind, body and soul were making through my gluten free journey of discovery.  I’ve create my own personal food journal for you.  Click here to see the Gluten Free Lifestyle Food Journal and to purchase your own!

Join us for our 30 Days to Gluten Free Program.

Knowledge is critical to success on a gluten free diet.  When you don’t completely understand the gluten free diet in itself, how will you be successful?  Set yourself up for success by joining us for the 30 Days to Gluten Free Support Program.  If you are new to gluten free or still struggling with the Gluten Free mindset, I highly recommend joining us, the program starts on September 16th.  In this program, we will start with the basics of gluten free living and by the end of the 30 days you will see a total transformation in yourself and your thoughts about gluten free living.  Click here to register your space in this empowering teleseminar series today!

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Gluten Free Temptations: Is it Really Harmful if I Cheat on my Gluten Free Diet?

By Jenna Drew · Comments (1)
Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Absolutely! Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease, a disease in which the response happens against any of your own organs, tissues or cells (Dictionary.com). When you eat any foods containing gluten [wheat, rye, barley, oats] your body reacts by attacking the villi in your small intestine.

Villi are ‘wormlike processes on certain membranes, esp. on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.’ As your body attacks these villi it becomes very hard for you to absorb the nutrients and vitamins necessary to give you and your body a healthy life.

As you eliminate gluten from your diet, the villi begin to heal themselves. If you do not consume any more gluten, no more intestinal damage will occur.

However, just one dose of a gluten containing food can significantly de-rail your healing process and send you and your body back to damaging your intestines.

Be careful not to “talk yourself” into having just one bite of pizza or one bite of cake. This is very harmful.
Today there are many delicious gluten free equivalents to traditional snack foods and tempting foods.
Betty Crocker has fantastic gluten free brownie, cake and cookie mixes available.

In my opinion, Betty Crocker’s gluten free brownie mix is even better than the ‘real’ thing.

As you learn, changes are good that you will accidently eat something containing gluten and become ill. In this case, don’t get discouraged. It happens to everyone. The key aspect of this situation is to learn from the experience.

Start a food journal. Yes, you probably haven’t thought about journaling since you were in junior high, but honestly, keeping track of your daily food habits will help you notice where you could be exposing yourself to hidden glutens. Your journal is your private outlet. After a few weeks of food journalling, you’ll begin to look forward to this time and self-discovery.

Your journal can also be an escape to let out frustrations or a celebration of a great gluten free meal.

Do not cheat on yourself and your gluten free diet. Wouldn’t you rather feel your best?

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What you didn’t know about Cross Contamination…

By Jenna Drew · Comments (6)
Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Did you know what you can pick up traces of gluten through cross contamination?

When preparing gluten free foods near gluten, it is very easy to cross contaminate, even though the ingredients in your meal are gluten free. Cross contamination occurs most often when others are preparing food for you in a non-gluten free environment like at a restaurant or a relative’s home.

Gluten cross contamination is mainly due to the food preparer’s lack of knowledge or understanding of your gluten free diet. As a simple example, if a relative is preparing your meal in the same area she is cutting bread there is a high risk of cross contamination. However, she may not understand the fact that crumbs of the gluten protein can contaminate your entire meal.

As another example that I see very often, when you are dining out at a restaurant, your waitress handles your meal under other gluten-full meals including rolls, croutons, dressings, sauces, etc which could easily lead to cross contamination.
There are also many items in your kitchen at home that risk cross contamination. Here is a list of the most commonly contaminated articles:

  • Toaster: Use a dedicated gluten free toaster because it is too hard to clean out every crumb.
  • Cutting Boards
  • Grills & Fryers
  • Plastic & Wooden Utensils
  • Dish Sponge

I recommend an entirely gluten free household if at all possible. It is very hard to be on ‘high alert’ every moment even in your own home. If you do not live in an entirely gluten free household, here are some very common condiments that can be contaminated:

  • Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
  • Ketchup/Mustard
  • Butter
  • Sour Cream
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly/Jam
  • Cream Cheese

    • A minor crumb can be the difference between feeling like you or feeling ‘glutened’.
    To help reduce the risk of cross contamination, teach your family members and friends about the dangers of ingesting gluten for you and how to help you stay healthy.

    Stay in the kitchen with them as they are preparing foods. If they make a mistake, do not become angry, they are just learning too. Use mistakes as a learning experience and share why it is not safe for you. The kitchen is a fun room to socialize, and your friends will enjoy the company.

    Make sure you take inventory of your cabinets. When first starting a gluten free diet, I recommend labeling anything that is not gluten free as well as everything that is gluten free. This includes both food items and other items in your kitchen you use to prepare food.
    Never use a toaster that has been used previously with gluten. Plastic containers are very hard to keep gluten free, so I recommend having a separate area for your gluten free Tupperware.

    Be careful not to bake near or using non-gluten free flours. Flour particles fly freely into the air when you are baking, making it very easy to breathe in flour particles or contaminate anything that is in your surrounding area.

    These are some of the most common ways of cross contamination, but this is by no means a complete and total guide.

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    Recently Diagnosed with Celiac Disease? You’re Not Alone.

    By Jenna Drew · Comments (5)
    Saturday, July 31st, 2010

    “You have Celiac Disease” can be one of the most frightening things you hear your doctor say before you fully understand your diagnosis.  Somewhere on your path to understanding Celiac Disease and the Gluten Free Diet, it’s not uncommon to feel alone – especially if you are the only member of your family with the disease.

    You are never really alone.  You have amazing sources of strength and help everywhere that you look.  You just have to recognize them.

    One of the most important steps in overcoming the challenges of a Gluten Free diet is to build a support team around you.  Let’s look at a list of possible members of your support team:

    Parents

    Your parents probably had the biggest influence on your life up until you were old enough to move out on your own.  Your parents can help you with love and security.  My parent have been there since day one with continuous love and support.  They were my biggest supporters after becoming Gluten Free.

    Teachers

    If you are still in school, chances are there is a teacher who can offer you guidance and an outlet to talk.  If you’ve already graduated, many times there was a teacher who had a big impression on you.  Go ahead and reach out.  They can be very helpful in helping you shape your path to Gluten Free success.

    Friends

    Friends are there to encourage us, lift us up and be a large support system in our lives.  Many may not understand your new dietary needs at first, so you will have to help them understand the new aspects of your diet.

    Mentors

    People who truly desire to become successful in any aspect of their lives find a mentor that will walk with them as they discover and learn the path to Gluten Free.  Mentors can point out road blocks and obstacles along the way so we can see them ahead of time and miss them.  A mentor’s experience and willingness to teach is an invaluable gift, so make sure to repay your mentor with kindness and gratitude.

    Spiritual Leaders

    Spiritual leaders can help you see what is positive and significant in your life.  No matter what your situation, spiritual leaders have a unique ability to share life and light where there maybe darkness.  Without the proper support, it is not uncommon to feel a glimpse of depression after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and a spiritual leader can really help you step out of any dark places you may fall.

    Support Groups

    Celiac Support Groups are an amazing way to really understand that you are not alone.  There are many different organizations around this disease, but here are my three favorite: Gluten Intolerance Group, Celiac Sprue Association, and the Celiac Disease Foundation.  The National foundation for Celiac Awareness is also a very powerful organization dedicated to promoting awareness around the United States.

    Most of these local support groups offer monthly meetings and newsletters.  They are also a very powerful outlet if you are the sole member of your family diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  They can help you and your family understand the importance of a total Gluten Free household.

    There are also several support groups online. One of the largest is Gluten Free Faces.

    This is by no means a complete list of your Gluten Free and Celiac Disease resources, but a list of the ones I feel are most important to your beginning success on the Gluten Free Diet.

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    First Steps After Being Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

    By Jenna Drew · Comments (8)
    Thursday, July 29th, 2010

    1. Educate yourself.

    When I was first started eating a gluten free diet, I was very lucky.  My mom had been diagnosed with Celiac Disease three years prior.  My learning curve was dramatically shortened because of my familiarity with Celiac Disease and the gluten free diet – not to mention I had a phenomenal source of knowledge who was only a phone call away.

    Not everyone has access to such a knowledge base when first diagnosed, so you must make a conscious effort to become your own advocate.  You must become aware of ingredients that can be harmful to your body.  You must learn (or take the time) to read food labels.  In my “12 Steps to Gluten Free” I go in depth on reading food labels and finding “hidden glutens”.

    You may not have someone to double check an ingredient while your at the store like I did during my first few months of gluten free living.

    2. Create a Support Group.

    Invite a small group of your closest family and friends over for a “discovery day” and share your new gluten free lifestyle with them.

    Many of your friends may not understand the full details of your diet restrictions until you actually sit down and show them.  But, make it fun!

    The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and Pamela’s Products have created a fun “Cupcake Party” kit that you can get for free by going to this website.

    This was a fun way to “educate” my friends on gluten free.  I also asked each guest to bring a few dollars (in exchange for the Cupcake Kit) and donated the money back to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

    3. Find and Join a Local Chapter of CSA or GIG.

    Membership organizations like the Celiac Sprue Association and the Gluten Intolerance group are extremely valuable.  Each offers a newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on any happenings in the gluten free or Celiac world.

    Most of the time there is a local chapter that you can become involved with that holds monthly meetings.  These connections will really jump start your new gluten free life.

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