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Celiac Project Podcast

https://www.celiacproject.com/the-podcast/

AKA………2 Guys Talking Gluten Free

Since 2016, Michael and Cam meet up each week to discuss issues surrounding CeD (lifted this abbreviation from one of the recent on-line conferences/symposiums) You can find the episodes at their website as well as at your favorite app – Apple podcasts, Spotify etc……

Why? What? Where? When? How? These questions and more are addressed by the hosts, their guests, and other contributors. Some of the guests are fellow CeD folks, some are NCGS, other autoimmune folks for whom the g-f diet is a remedy, doctors, dietitians, support group facilitators, service dog trainers, chefs and more!

There are currently 370 episodes. I started listening in at #1 and in the past month have listened to the first 80 episodes. Here’s some of the things I learned that I had not known before – even after reading numerous research documents and website searches for over 16 years diagnosed and following a gluten free diet……

What does gluten withdrawal feel like? Mar 29, 2011. posted at beyondceliac.org

When gluten is withdrawn abruptly from the diet, certain susceptible individuals may experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, including, but not limited to, nausea, extreme hunger, anxiety, depression and dizziness.

What happens when you cheat on the gluten free diet? Info edited from the post of May 2019. posted at glutenfreeliving.com

You will NOT feel well! PLUS, you will continue to experience withdrawal if you are susceptible to that. see above note

You will not feel well!

Your system will be in a constant state of battle . You set off inflammation throughout the entire body. Inflammation affects every aspect of the body and is particularly difficult for the areas that have been the most stressed.

You prolong gut recovery!

Damage to the intestinal villi cannot be healed, cheating prevents individuals from absorbing essential nutrients. Since 70 percent of the immune system lies in your digestive tract, gut health needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.

You may lose support!

Friends and family are less likely to support you if they see you cheating. Why should they bother preparing gluten-free food or frequent restaurants with gluten-free menus if, in the end, you are going to eat whatever you want? A support system is vital to your success, so don’t let them watch you fail.

You could develop cancer!

According to a 2013 study conducted at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noncompliant celiac sufferers (cheaters) with unhealed small intestines have a higher risk of developing lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). “Celiac patients with persistent villous atrophy—as seen on follow-up biopsy—have an increased risk of lymphoma, while those with healed intestines have a risk that is significantly lower, approaching that of the general population,” said Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, MS.

And a special thank you to my dear fellow CeD friend Diane for sharing the Celiac Project Podcast with me.

There is also a Celiac Project documentary, created by Michael, for which our group will sponsor a watch party in the future for everyone interested in attending.

There are so many other things I’ve learned and am studying further after listening to the 2 Guys Talking gluten free. I’ll be posting more in the weeks ahead to share but for now – signing off.

This is how we support each other, create a connection, and advance education!

Local Institutions: Eating Gluten Free When You Can’t Choose Your Food

At our June meeting we had a discussion about being in a hospital and the availability of gluten free food.  Luckily none of us had recent experience.

If the hospital admission is planned, you can check with your doctor about when you will be able to eat and the hospital dietary department about their gluten free practices.  You may even want to bring your own food.  The last thing you need is to have gluten-exposure issues when you are recovering from illness or surgery.

But what about local schools?  And rehab facilities?  And nursing homes?  What if you are incarcerated?

How well do institutions in Northeast Ohio anticipate the needs of those of us eating gluten free?

Feel free to share your experience by adding a comment.

 

Holiday Social Dining- Gluten Free

Holiday Meals at Home.

Consider hosting the event yourself. Yes it will be work, but you can control what and how food is served. Believe it or not, most entrées, potato/rice side dishes & veggies, are naturally gluten free or translate into gluten free with minor adjustments.  Accept gluten dishes that guests wish to bring, keeping them separated from the GF fare.

Need ideas about what to serve? Honey Baked ham/turkey are gluten free holiday standards that are no fuss and feed a crowd. There are new GF cookbooks—The Lagasse Girls- The GF Table and  America’s Test Kitchen: How Can It Be Gluten Free—many others are available at your library. Delight Magazine or Simply Gluten Free Magazine have recipes (some online) as well as your favorite GF blogs like www.glutenfreegirl.com or http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

Don’t remove traditional foods from consideration. Try to modify recipes that only may need a little tweaking. Family may be much more accepting.

If you want “from scratch” GF baked goods, choose brownies or cookies which are easier. Or there are many good baking mixes out that fool the gluten guests— (these come to mind but you may have your own favorites) 123 GlutenFree Pan Bars (make a cream cheese frosting –delish!) or 123 GlutenFree Poundcake (makes 2 to feed a crowd, add berries or chocolate sauce). Check their website for availability.  Or just support one of our local gluten free bakeries that count on your business. They are listed on our Grocery/Bakery page.

Holiday Meals at Someone’s Home

If you are invited for dinner at someone’s home, and you aren’t comfortable enough to ask questions about the food, bring a casserole dish (with protein). Often times, hostesses are grateful that you offer. Bring up the offer as soon as you receive the invitation to allow the cook time to understand and accept your needs–they may then think about your concerns as they grocery shop.

If you are comfortable asking questions, consider these pitfalls, then check with the cook if you think these may apply:

  • First, start by thanking the cook for caring about you enough to let you share your concerns!
  • Concentrate on the entrée. Without going into a major explanation, simply say you have to avoid flour/wheat that may be hidden in marinades & gravy. If you determine the entrée is safe, you can always volunteer to bring a side dish or dessert to round out your meal. Most hostesses appreciate offers.
  • If you have a microwave divided dish, bring your own full meal, matching the hosts menu if you don’t want to be different.  A minute or two in the microwave, and you are good to go!

Entrée pitfalls:

  • Cooking Bags are great ways to cook big roasts or turkeys, but flour is required to prevent bag from exploding, so ask if you think they may have used this to prepare the entrée.
  • If a cream sauce/gravy is planned, suggest cornstarch to thicken or GF condensed cream soups (like Pacific Naturals or Progresso) can substitute for Campbell soups
  • If entrée is breaded, ask if a piece could be made without bread crumbs on a separate piece of foil. (Foil is wonderful to separate meat and readily available.)

Holiday Buffets

  • Consider being the first in line at the buffet so you can prevent serving spoons from being cross contaminated. You can let your hostess know if this is your plan.
  • Again, take a GF casserole with a protein. This way you know you can have a safe main course.
  • If you are comfortable with the host/hostess, offer to come early to help with prep. That way you can see how things are prepared or will be served.
  • If the event is catered, ask your host/hostess for the caterer’s name and offer to call the caterer yourself. They often have gluten free options, and you will free up the host as well as feel more in control if you call.

Let’s face it. The holidays are not all about the food. They are about enjoying family and friends. Try not to let your diet come between you and them. If in doubt, be proactive and do what you can to take care of your needs. Who wants to be sick?

How do you handle the holidays? Let us know by adding a comment!

Videos and Radio Programs and Podcasts

Here’s a collection of videos about celiac disease and the gluten free diet.