READ...READ....READ.....

...I was diagnosed with CD 12 long years ago, and quite frankly I was ecstatic! There WAS something wrong with me! it wasn't "all in my mind". So with that attitude I stormed headlong into investigating and researching this strange disease I'd never heard of!!! I surfed the net for any information I could find, and thanks to a wonderful Practice Nurse at my GP's I rang Coeliac Queensland (then called The Qld Coeliac Society) paid my joining fee and was introduced to the FANTASTIC Warwick area contact. I never looked back.

I have stayed a member for 12years and in that time SO many things have changed, the products have improved, ingredient ratings have changed (yes CHANGED) what was once considered taboo is now fine due to new processing standards and research in Australia has started. Every quarter there is new information about our funny little disease.

In time I became my Doctor's Coeliac Teacher. As with most GP's his knowledge is broad and its difficult for them to keep up to date with every piece of new information. So I would tell him the latest each visit and he would then add that information to his vast knowledge!.

So when I meet people who don't look thoroughly at information about products, ingredients and research it strikes me as odd. I wanted to know exactly what was wrong with my body and why. Although some of the questions are yet to be answered, I have been strictly GF for 12 years. Why risk it? My Mum has had 2 first stage Bowel Cancers 8 years apart, unique. If I was running in the Bowel Cancer Melbourne Cup I'd be the favourite!! So I am vigilant, strict and endeavour to stay and eat healthy.

Its really not hard! What you put into your body...is what you get out of it. So why then do some tempt fate for a moment of self indulgence? I know alot of people with CD who eat Spelt Bread, why? Would you eat a tiny bit of rat poison? Or take on face value that a product is GF just because you where told it was?

Read...everything you can get your hands on! That's my advise! The more you know the better! Just because the lady at the shop said it was GF doesn't mean it really is..did YOU read the ingredient list? What qualifications does this lady have to assure you that she is right?? All the information you need is available...you just have to look!

What the hell is a FODMAP?!?

As a licensed Nurse and the Owner of this little shop I get asked alot of questions about diet. My first question to my customers/patients is this "Have you seen a Dietitian/Nutritionist?" The answer most frequently is "No but I do see my Naturopath" *Doh! Slaps forehead* not the same thing...at all!!

When you have a muscle problem...you see a Physiotherapist...
When you have a tooth problem...you see a Dentist..
When you have a bad hair day....you see a Hair Dresser
Soooo (now stating the BLATANTLY OBVIOUS!) When you have a diet problem....you see a Dietitian/Nutritionist!!!

All humor aside this NEEDS to be the first stop of EVERY newly diagnosed Coeliac! Then its off to get a free bone density (yes the government gives us them for free as we qualify for the high risk category for osteoporosis...your Dietitian will tell you why!!)

When you have a problem you see a specialist! And thats what they are!! They will explain how to go about "refeeding" your sick and recovering gut, or your on going grumbly tumbly, or why you are still having symptoms!

They know the secrets of FODMAPS, the confusing contradictory "Gluten free even if wheat derived" products that I'm always being asked about. The strange but true reality of Men also being at risk of Osteoporosis! The importance of being strictly gluten free (and NO they can't have EVEN A LITTLE BIT...aimed at that ONE annoying person who just doesn't understand your new gluten free status!!) and why you can't "JUST HAVE A SALAD" (hint you need protein!)

Forewarned is forearmed...KNOWLEDGE is power.

Why the dramatics? ALOT of new and even the long time Glutenless sometimes waver at being confronted with the (rather rude) questions of...."Surely alittle bit won't hurt you", "Well if there's nothing on the menu...you can have the salad". I have learnt rather an impressive list of comebacks to these lovely statements but alas, not print worthy! Empowerment comes with a firm knowledge of what Coeliac Disease really is...what is HAS done to your body and health and what it WILL do and CAN do. Then you too can accumulate your very own repertoire of responses!

Lesson of the Day! DIETITIAN/NUTRITIONIST'S ARE COELIAC'S SUPERHERO'S!!!