Posts Tagged ‘celiac disease’

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Making Gluten Free Holidays Merry

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Alison St Sure
Alison

I met Alison St. Sure for the first time about a year ago at a food blogger conference. I had followed her blog, Sure Foods Living, for quite some time, but was still surprised by how vibrant she was in person. In the past, I associated Celiac disease purely with sickness, but the woman standing before me seemed anything but sick. Alison was energetic, friendly, beautiful, and down-right healthy-looking. I realized at that moment that Celiac disease may make people sick, but gluten-free living truly can be their cure. Alison is obviously living proof of this, but even so, I wondered, how in the world does she do it around the holidays? Rolls, cookies, and oh that stuffing!

Fortunately, Alison agreed to a little interview sharing her own holiday challenges and how she has learned to not only cope, but enjoy this special season …

Let’s start with a little background. Where did your gluten-free adventures begin?

Nine years ago I was diagnosed with celiac disease after a lifetime of symptoms that nobody ever connected. Finally, I was so anemic that a doctor was concerned about me going on my honeymoon to India – he didn’t know how I was even walking around, let alone how I could manage a major trip like that. So he referred me to more doctors to find the cause of my anemia. I had been anemic for many years and been on iron pills at times, and this was the first time a doctor was ever interested in finding out why. At the same time I was having terrible stomach aches and bloating, which was very upsetting since it was getting more and more frequent. Despite seeing doctors, it was my mom who really diagnosed me. She was worried about me and went on her own Internet search and came up with celiac disease, which neither she nor I had ever heard of. Sure enough, I had the testing and it was confirmed. I was so relieved to have an answer and happy to begin the gluten-free diet because I just wanted to feel better.

Wow, nine years! Awareness of Celiac disease seemed almost non-existent until just a few years ago. That must have created some huge issues around this time of year, when gatherings revolve mostly around food. What were your biggest holiday obstacles during that first year or two of gluten-free living?

The first couple of years during the holidays were challenging, mainly because no one I associated with knew anything about gluten-free. Everyone has at least heard of it now! But back then, I was the only gluten-free person in my world. Holiday parties with coworkers or friends were the most difficult because there would be little I could eat and I generally didn’t ask people to make special accommodations. I would just eat what I could and sometimes felt self-conscious because I was only eating salad and I wondered what people were thinking – that I was watching my weight or had strange eating habits or that I was picky!

Thank goodness more people are aware of gluten-free living now. How have you learned to navigate holiday gatherings over the years? Do you bring food for just yourself and family, or try to get more involved in the food for the event?

Family gatherings in the beginning were difficult because there was definitely reluctance on the part of extended family members to being open to gluten-free food. If they heard “gluten-free” then they automatically would say it didn’t taste good or they wouldn’t eat it. Now more of the family has adopted a gluten-free diet, and gluten-free foods really can be delicious. We have gotten really good at making gluten-free stuffing, gravy and desserts, and no one misses a thing. Now that gluten-free is “in,” friends are much more aware and accommodating. I am still happily surprised and grateful when someone thinks to buy gluten-free crackers or make gluten-free dishes to serve when we come over!

Truthfully, was it ever difficult for you to pass on the cookies, rolls, and other traditional gluten-filled holiday cookies?

I can understand how people feel deprived and that the holiday treats are tempting, but I am just so grateful for my health and how much better I feel, and I remind myself of that when looking at something that I remember tasting so good. There’s no cookie that’s worth feeling sick over! Plus, there are so many things that can be made gluten-free, if I really want something I can still find a way to have the gluten-free version of it – well, most things anyway.

Are there any special gluten-free recipes that you now make just for the holidays?

I’m in charge of the stuffing every year! I use a recipe called Harvest Stuffing and make my own gluten-free bread ahead of time to use in it. You would never know the stuffing is gluten-free. Also, two years ago I decided to make a recipe that my grandmother used to make around the holidays, a rolled pastry called Butterhorns. I had never made them before, and now I was going to make Gluten-Free Butterhorns! But they turned out great and evoked the memory of my grandmother’s cookies. I gave them to my dad for a present and he was so happy. I would like to make them again this year because my sister will be here for the holidays and she also remembers them fondly.

Here are the links to those two recipes:

Grandma Anne’s Butterhorn Cookies, adapted to be gluten-free

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Harvest Stuffing

Any last words of advice to people trying to navigate the holiday season gluten-free?

You know, I wrote an article on my blog back in 2009 called Holiday Food Allergy Blues. It happens to all of us, but the important thing is to focus on what you CAN eat, and on the other things besides food that the holidays represent. I am grateful for my health, my friends, my family, so I make sure to reflect on that. And hopefully the food will be yummy too!

Alisa photoBe well!

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Alisa

Check out my latest posts here

Posted in The Company You Keep | 12 Comments »

Five Ways to Listen to Your Body

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

 

Sometimes our mind doesn’t want to acknowledge what our body is telling us. For example:

  • When we have a bout of heartburn, we blame what we ate rather than our overindulging behavior.
  • Instead of taking a nap when we’re tired, we load up on the caffeine and sugary snacks for an energy boost.
  • When we’re developing shin splints or swollen knees, we tough it out instead of  cutting back or trying an exercise routine that is less physically stressful.

Many of us switch into mind-over-body mode because we tell ourselves that it’s not convenient to listen to our body’s wisdom. After all, who has a boss who’ll let us take a nap on the job? And face it, it’s hard to find time to get a therapeutic massage when you’re busy with work and family obligations.

However, when we ignore our body’s signals for long periods of time, we pay for it. In my case, when I’m tired I overeat, and when I overeat I gain weight. Also, when I’m tired I find it much harder to efficiently tackle my work. Plus, I have much less patience with my family when I’m exhausted.

Are you someone who ignores your body’s wisdom after feeling sick or “off” when we eat certain foods? Well, if you’re gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, you may cause more damage to your intestinal track if you ignore your body’s signals when you eat foods containing gluten.

It’s the same with exercise. Rather than switching to a low impact exercise routine after you develop soreness and pain, you may end up in the doctor’s office scheduling knee surgery instead.

Try listening to your body


Recently, I read an article about Brian Ingle, an osteopath, former yoga teacher and somatic movement educator. He said, “To use our body wisdom, we have to come into our first person experience of our bodies and, with that, our intuition, self-knowing, self-healing and autonomy will reveal itself.”

1. Find some quiet time in your daily routine and check in with your body. How’s your back and shoulders doing after sitting at your desk all day? How does your tummy feel after having lunch and dinner? Are you “regular” or has it been a few days? How many times did you hit the snooze button this morning?

2. If things are off, make a plan and write it down. What are your action items to feeling better? Maybe it’s going to bed 30 minutes later or arranging for your spouse to be home a little earlier so you can schedule a massage in the evening.

3. You should also add some healthy foods to your grocery list and make sure a few of them have probiotics or fiber so you’re getting your system moving regularly. (Attune Foods chocolate probiotic bars and some Erewhon cereals are smart choices for this!)

4. While you’re at it, take the time to schedule a meeting with a personal trainer to work on your fitness routine or a nutritionist to go over your diet.

5. Don’t forget to schedule some routine body maintenance, too, like a teeth cleaning, yearly check up or even the colonoscopy or mammogram you’ve been avoiding.

It’s all about giving yourself permission to listen to your body’s wisdom. What’s your body telling you?

Check out my latest posts here

Posted in The Company You Keep | 4 Comments »

Is a Dairy Error Code the Reason for Your Body’s Check Engine Light?

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Wouldn’t it be awesome if a little code appeared on your wrist every time your body signaled a problem? When the “check engine” light went on in your brain, you could glance down for the reference code and go to a manual to see what the problem is and fix it. Just ate lunch and feeling bloated? … ah, error code 008 – you’re lactose intolerant. Feeling fatigued? … looks like error code 019 – your B12 deficient. Genius, don’t you think?

It’s so true that our bodies are all-knowing when it comes to our health, but with life as hectic as it is, we can easily miss some cues. Not to mention, the messages our bodies send may be loud, but they aren’t always clear.

For example, when someone with undiagnosed Celiac disease ingests gluten, it can cause increasing damage to the intestinal lining over time. Chronic symptoms may develop that don’t magically spring up the second they consume a piece of bread. And, did you know that some food allergy symptoms can arise up to 48 hours after ingesting the food? I learned this one the hard way.

As an infant, the reactions occurred shortly after I ingested milk … hives, eczema, breathing issues. But as I got older, my problems twisted and turned. The eczema went away when I was a child (thus convincing my family and the doctor that my allergy had been outgrown), but then the digestive issues, infections, delayed rashes, and general asthma-like issues set in. They seemed mysterious … and though my body was telling me something, I didn’t know what it was.

Since that time, I have researched issues with food extensively, and have learned about many of the cues that can indicate food-related problems, particularly with milk…

Did you know that roughly 15% of you (in North America – this number is much, much higher in some countries) have some degree of lactose intolerance? After weaning from our mother’s milk, we naturally lose some of the lactase in our digestive systems. Lactase is what helps us to digest the lactose in milk. With time, the lactase often depletes further, which is why a higher percentage of seniors have lactose intolerance than children. It is actually very rare to be born with lactose intolerance (some preemies may have a temporary inability to digest lactose, but that is a special situation).

Ways your body might be telling you that you have lactose intolerance:

  • Bloating
  • Stomach Pain and/or Cramping
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (more severe cases)

Lactose intolerance is, fortunately, a message that our bodies shout megaphone-style. Any of the above symptoms would occur within about 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingesting a dairy product (think milk, cream, cheese, ice cream, etc.). Though you might have one symptom, or all of them, and your reaction might be quite mild or gut-wrenchingly severe, there really aren’t “delayed” lactose intolerance symptoms.

But, for those who react to the milk protein, delayed symptoms are a possibility. Food allergies and sensitivities involve immune reactions to the protein in milk (casein, whey, or both), and the symptoms can vary greatly from immediate and life-threatening (yes, milk allergies can be just as severe as peanut allergies!) to delayed, mild, and even chronic. The latter types of cues are the easy ones to miss.

Ways your body might be telling you that you have a milk allergy or sensitivity:

  • Chronic sinus and ear infections
  • Asthma
  • Rashes and/or Acne
  • Eczema
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Headaches / Migraines
  • Digestive issues (see the symptoms listed for lactose intolerance above)
  • Hives
  • Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores)
  • Swelling (or tingling) of Lips, Mouth, Tongue, Face, Or Throat
  • Sore Muscles and Joints
  • And more (see Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for a more extensive list)

One helpful way to assess cause and effect with foods like milk is to go a step beyond simply listening to your body, by documenting it. Years ago, I created a free Diet & Health Journal download to help with this. To date, the journal has literally been downloaded by millions of people. You can download a copy for FREE here.

Please note that this post isn’t meant for diagnosis. I am not a physician, and I’m certainly not your physician. Consult a doctor if you have any of the above problems or suspect an allergy or intolerance. Of course, your physician will surely find it helpful if you log your symptoms with that Diet & Health Journal!

So what about you? Has dairy or another food lit up your check engine signal?

 

Alisa photoBe well!

Alisa signature

Alisa

Check out my latest posts here

Posted in The Company You Keep | 13 Comments »

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