Celiac Interview

Tonight my sister had to write a paper on something food industry related.  So she picked celiac at the last minute, because I was available to answer some questions.  One of the requirements for the paper was to interview someone in the industry (I guess you could say I am in the industry).  Well, the paper was due at midnight, and she gave me the list of questions at 9PM with some excuse about her previous interview falling through… procrastination runs in the family!  Below are her list of questions that cover almost all of my celiac experience, so I thought it was worth sharing.

I encourage anyone else to answer these questions and email them to me.  I will post them on the blog.  If you don’t have your own blog, still answer the applicable questions.  They are good questions that anyone eating gluten free can answer.  I, and probably everyone else, always loves hearing about other peolpe’s life with celiac.

What are your favorite restaurants? Are these different than before you followed the diet?

In my “previous life,” I used to eat anything- anywhere!  I would eat or drink anything: fast food, convenience store food, and delivery pizza, especially if it was cheap or quick.  I can no longer quickly grab something to eat while out of the house.  Every meal, or snack, has to be planned.  I regularly eat at Mexican places, because I know I will be able to eat nachos or find something that is made with corn tortillas or corn chips.

Are food industry workers knowledgeable about Celiac disease?

Awareness about celiac disease is quickly growing.  The gluten-free food industry is surpassing one billion dollars very soon.  Although, there are almost three million Americans still undiagnosed.  In almost every major city, a small gluten-free bakery has opened and are offering gluten-free breads, muffins, pizza crusts, and other bread related items.  Over the past couple years, many restaurants are starting to offer gluten free items, a gluten free menu, pointing out what is gluten free, or at least listing them on their website.  Gluten-free will not be mainstream until fast food and convenience stores start offering gluten-free options.

Do you trust that the food you receive from restaurants/friends/family members is gluten free?

It all depends on who it makes the food.  There are so many ingredients, that you would never imagine contain gluten, that people who have not done adequate research, overlook.  I don’t trust many foods unless they are made by someone who is gluten free or who regularly serves to gluten-free people.

What were some things you believed about Celiac disease that have proven false?

There are many ingredients that are not proven to be gluten-free.  Frequently you will find a reputable source making a determination on these, but they are always continuously debate by various sources.  A lot of uninformed people believe small amounts of gluten, or infrequent “cheating” on the GF diet can be tolerated.  This is untrue.  Any amount of gluten will inflame the intestines, ruin the person’s day, and take time to heal.

What precautions do you take when eating at family and friends’ houses?

If my friends or family know of my special diet, then I do not feel bad eating only certain foods.  I will ask what ingredients were used and only choose gluten-free dishes.  On occasion, I have eaten questionable foods to save myself and the cook from lots of tough questions and hurting their feelings.

Have you noticed a difference in how you feel?

I don’t have the most common symptoms of celiac.  I do not get the immediate stomach pains or an obvious reaction.  When eating gluten, I feel very tired and unmotivated.  I will sleep ten hours in a night, with only gluten to blame.  When I eat all gluten-free foods and no questionable foods, I feel great!  I have lots of energy and sleep much less.  The positive effects been enough motivation to stay away from my favorite gluten foods.

Why did you start www.switch2glutenfree.com?  What are your goals with the blog?

I started my website as a way to document my journey while switching to a gluten-free diet.  Over the first few weeks, I gained a lot of followers and questions.  My blog as evolved into a source of information, rather than just my story.  With my interest in business, I have lots of plans to monetize my blog especially by selling new non-food gluten free products.  My goal is to become one of the most trusted sources on gluten free and maybe make a little money doing it.

What are the most common topics on the blog?

My blog contains lots of different topics: my journey, food and restaurant reviews, stories on gluten-free events, and recipes.  I don’t try to stick to one category.

What is the biggest difficulty with having Celiac Disease?

The biggest difficulty having celiac disease is finding something to eat when away from home.  I used to be able to stop at any convenience store or fast food location, but I cannot anymore.  I frequently find a grocery store and eat deli meat and cheese.  Eating on the go, is very tough.

What are the foods you missed the most?

I miss pizza and Bud Light, the two things I lived on in college.  I could go on forever about the foods I will never be able to eat again.  Fortunately, select restaurants have provided gluten free versions.  Although, I have yet to find a gluten free beer that comes close to an Anheuser- Bush (Inbev) product.

Does Stephanie eat gluten free with you?

When I home, my girlfriend eats gluten-free with me.  Sticking to the basics of meat, veggies, fruits, and dairy is much healthier than eating processed foods.  I do most of the cooking and purchasing of food, so it is very rare that we have any gluten in the house.  With her busy work schedule, she eats out a lot, so she can handle eating gluten free for one meal a day.

You initially did not follow a gluten free diet.  What made you change your mind?

When I found out I have celiac disease, I was in college and doing typical college things.  Ultimately, I didn’t have any symptoms at the time, so I didn’t not have the daily negative reminders or consequences of eating gluten.  After college I started a business where I worked 24/7.  It was rare if I ever ate a meal at home.  As said before, eating gluten free away from home is not easy or cheap.  So, I always something quickly at buffets or fast food.  After selling the business, my life slowed down.  It was then that I noticed that I was frequently tired and didn’t feel well.  I realized something had to be wrong.  It is not commonly known that a lack of energy is a symptom of celiac.  I had already switched my diet when I came across this little known symptom.  It was reassuring that I was on the right track.