And the winner is… drum roll….
Everything we eat. Wheat including gliadin and gluten. All dairy products, even casein and goat’s milk. Both the white and yolk of eggs.
If you peeked into my kitchen, one glance would be all you’d need to see we’re carbo-heavy eaters. Our average weekly milk consumption is 5-6 gallons! We have cheese nearly every meal.
Before I sound like I’m whining, I’m going to count my blessings:
1) When Andrea went through an allergic period, the one product she could not be around was corn. I don’t think Joshua’s allergies combined can be as pervasive as corn is. In some ways, this is going to be easier.
2) We’ll be eating healthier. I won’t feel guilty about spending so much money to have a ton of fresh veggies and fruits stocked up.
3) Related to #2–Joshua loves vegetables. Fresh spinach is one of his favorite foods.
4) When Andrea’s diet became so restrictive, we could barely scrape together enough money to buy the specialty products. Though we still are tight financially, because of other choices we’ve made (driving older cars = no car payment), we’re able to buy the gluten-free crackers, etc….
5) Gluten-free crackers actually taste good! He’s loved the special cookies we got for him to take for school snacks, the GF pretzels were also yummy, and he didn’t complain too much about the hard tapioca bread.
6) Remember how I said we drink 5-6 gallons of milk a week? We were always running out and having to zip to the store for a couple more gallons. And we paid more for the hormone-free kind so our little girl might stay a girl for a year or two longer than she would have on hormone-laced milk. Now, we’ll get a couple cases of soy/almond/rice milks that we like and always have more on hand.
7) Years ago, a group of scientists made allergy testing their focus. Because they were successful in their quest, I can bypass the stressful, confusing, and time-consuming process of removing foods from his diet by trial and error. This is a special blessing since Joshua’s reactions are all IgG mediated responses, meaning the foods don’t effect him until hours or even days after he’s eaten them.
8) I have two huge resources for recipes and safe products. My aunt Jeanine has found great brownie and pizza recipes, among others, for my cousin who has celiac disease. My friend Kirsten will be extremely helpful because her daughters have both the gluten AND dairy problems.
9) My son will be living life like he never has before: without constant stomach pain. I wonder if what we thought was colic 5 1/2 years ago was really him reacting to the foods I was eating. I’m excited to see the change in his emotions and looking forward to his constant complaining dissipating. Someone mentioned that the average time to diagnose a gluten intolerance is 10 years. Joshua will be turning six tomorrow, so we caught this one early.
I’m sure there are more wonderful things hidden in this restriction. Boundaries, after all, are there to protect us. We will find freedom in the great bounty of food Joshua still is allowed to eat. At least, that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself!
My sister went through this with child #3 . . . he still is pretty much wheat and dairy free. She amazes me how easily she has incorporated his requirements into their diet. Last night we had pizza and T got his special pizza – rice bread toasted with tomato sauce and dairy-free cheese. He’s a big lover of rice (brown) and beans too. You’ll be so glad to see your son feeling better, and you’re right – you’ll all be eating healthier!
Dianne, what kind of cheese does she use? I haven’t been able to find a truly dairy-free one yet. All the soy cheeses had casein. But, I must admit, I haven’t gone to a huge specialty store yet. I’ve just been picking through the small selections at the local stores. Can’t believe how much Joshua’s attitude has improved! 😉
Looks like you’re looking at the glass half-full, and that’s half the battle! Good for you.
I went through this last year due to a colon disease (nicer version of Chrone’s) and carbs are bad for me, too. I’ve found that Morningstar frozen goods are mostly really good. Tomato and Basil Pizza burger is great as are there sausage patties.
And, you’re so right. When I eat healthy and lay off the carbs, I feel like I have the energy of a teenager!
Hi Christina,
Hope the family is doing good.
Wanted to let you know I tagged you for a blog thingy. Check out my blog!
Cheers!