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I need some help, tips or advice. My daughter is 2 and diagnosed 3 months with diabetes. Since then we have had to change our dialysis routine and diets. Now they say she has Celiac's Disease which means she cannot have gluten in her diet. I have to restrict her diet even more and I don't even know what foods have gluten in them but I'm told a lot of them do. I'm feeling very overwhelmed with all these changes and upset that my daughter has to go through life this way. Any words of encouragement as this is all new to me.
Responses
Ginger Vieira says
Well, I don't blame you for being overwhelmed! I was fortunate enough to have a year between my T1 diabetes and Celiac diagnoses at the ages of 13 and 14. You and your child are facing a lot of changes and new responsibilities all at once. My first word of advice for you is the hardest one: take a deep breath. I've lived with diabetes for 12 years and I'm still learning new things about it on a regular basis. You don't have to learn it all tomorrow (or even by next year), and you definitely don't have to do it perfectly.Living gluten-free is doable, but yes, it's a pain in the butt and sometimes a true challenge and test of willpower. Gluten is the protein found primarily in wheat (even when processed into white flour), barley, and rye. This covers most common breads, cookies, crackers, pastas, and some cereals. Fortunately there are so many more gluten-free foods available in the average grocery store compared to even just ten years ago. Usually, you'll find these things in the "natural foods" section of the larger grocery stores. If you live near a "Whole Foods" store, you're in luck, as they have some of the best selections I've ever seen of gluten-free foods. You can also check out places online like Pamela's Product, and Glutinos (there are many more!). Also, look up "Betty Hagman" for great cookbooks on gluten-free baking, from breads to pizza dough to desserts of all kinds.
For a full list of foods containing gluten, and more on Celiac, visit: http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/List_of_Foods_Containing_Gluten
I make videos on living with Type 1 diabetes here: www.YouTube.com/user/GingerVieira
Other great sites to learn and read about life with diabetes include: www.SixUntilMe.com. www.Living-in-Progress.com. www.ScottsDiabetes.com. www.DLife.com. www.DiabetesDaily.com. www.DiabetesResource.com.
I don't know how old your daughter is, but I know she can do this. I know because I've been doing it happily since I was 13 years old, and I know many, many others in the diabetes community who are living well with both of this diseases. Living happily! While you continue to learn and read about these diseases, I believe it's important for both of you to remember that life is full of challenges. These diseases are a few of the challenges your daughter is going to face in her life--and she can do it.
Deep breath!
