Being a GF kid
By Kim Weaver
 |
| Photo: Casey Martin |
CG: Are you angry that you have
celiac disease?
MS: At
first, I was upset. But now I think it’s cool to have celiac disease. I’m
teaching my friends about it, and they will tell me if they see something at
the store that’s gluten-free. My family is [a] huge supporter. I’m really
positive.
CG: What special challenges do you have that none of your classmates have?
CG: What special challenges do you have that none of your classmates have?
MS:
Lunches. From sixth grade to now, I’ve had no single lunch ever at school. I
pack my lunch because I’m afraid of cross-contamination. When I was in
elementary school, I would take in a gluten-free pizza crust and a pan and the
kids would ask me what it is. They would ask me why I couldn’t have regular
food, and I would tell them I was allergic, but celiac disease isn’t an
allergy, it’s a disease. I just wanted to stand in line like everyone else, but
I couldn’t. I also have to take my own food everywhere.
CG: Do you read labels or do you
leave that up to your mom?
MS:
At about third grade, my mom taught me how to read labels. It’s second nature
to me now. If I see an ingredient I don’t understand, I’ll ask my mom. She has
done a lot of research about celiac disease.
CG: How do you handle eating at a
restaurant?
MS:
We go online and do research beforehand. We look at the menu. Most restaurants
are open to gluten-free diets, but some don’t know what we’re talking about.
I’m afraid of cross-contamination, so sometimes I get up and leave because I
don’t want to make everyone else miserable. I don’t eat out a lot.
CG: Do you ever intentionally or
accidentally deviate from your diet?
MS:
During sports season, soccer and track and field, I’m strict. I know the
consequences. But other times, if I really want something, maybe I’ll eat it.
Then I will have bloating or I get dizzy. My cheeks might flush and I’ll get a
rash. I’ll have stomach pain. It takes a full day to get out of my system.
CG: You are planning a career in
medicine. How will you avoid the possibility of cross-contamination in the
college campus restaurant?
MS:
I hope to find a college that will accommodate my special diet. Celiac disease
is more prominent now. I was at the University of North Carolina for 10 days last
year and the chef understood my special needs. I know that more and more colleges
will offer foods that are gluten-free.
CG: What advice do you have for
other kids with celiac disease?
MS:
Embrace it. You have it and can’t get rid of it. Educate people so they can
educate other people. Be positive.
Coping with Celiac Disease
- Work with a registered dietitian. That way, you’ll be sure to meet all your nutritional needs while totally eliminating gluten from your diet.
- When in doubt, ask. Call food companies and ask them about their manufacturing process and the steps they take to ensure gluten-free products.
- Watch the cost. Gluten-free products tend to be more expensive than foods with gluten. Bargain shopping and coupons come in handy when you cut gluten out of your diet.
- Ask your pharmacist to find out if your medications contain gluten. If they do, ask your health care provider about alternatives.
- A gluten-free diet is not a weight loss diet. Weight loss is simple math and occurs when a person burns off more calories than they are consuming. A gluten-free diet can contribute to excess calories, just like a gluten-containing diet can.
Source: WebMD
