Celiac diagnosis

[mc03]

Hi,
My DD2, who is 9, just got diagnosed with celiac. We told her last night and she was, understandably, really sad about it. I’m sad for her and trying to wrap my head around going completely gluten free. We also have a trip planned to Madrid, London, and Paris this summer and she has been so excited for this pastries walk/tour that we were going to do in Paris, but now that seems unlikely. The amount of research just to find safe options for her to eat while traveling is overwhelming. I don’t know what I’m looking for here. If anyone has any advice for us during this transition phase I’d love to hear it. Basically I’m sad and overwhelmed at the big changes we have to make. Thanks for listening.

[beepers]

Oof that’s a big change. Huge hugs to her and you as you navigate this.

Checkout the Spokin app/website/social media. They’ve got some good resources for travel with various dietary restrictions including Europe.

[theseaword]

You might be surprised with the availability of GF in Europe. I haven’t gone yet, but I’ve researched Italy and there are a ton of dedicated GF places there. Search for GF travel guides and blogs and you will find specific places and travel plans.
Find me GF is a decent app for traveling more locally. I would be sure to speak to a chef when you go anywhere if it’s not dedicated GF. Some places will just have GF bread but won’t do anything to prevent cross contamination.
Whole Foods has the most GF selection we’ve found, but even Walmart has a decent selection these days. We like Simple Mills and Feel Good Foods. Gluten free Oreos taste the same as regular.

[theseaword]

I’m sure you’re on top of it, but also have dedicated GF pans, pots, utensils etc. We all try to be as GF as possible at home to cut down on cross contamination, and we put down foil and such if we’re cooking something with gluten.

[bellatrixgotlost]

Hi, I was diagnosed Celiac 15 years ago.

Things have improved so much. That said, as with any foods, it's trial and error to figure out which brands you prefer. Also, if the whole household isn't going GF, I suggest getting separate cookware, toaster etc for your dd to avoid cross-contamination.

As other pp have said, GF in Europe is different and quite accessible. Something to do with how they process or grow their grains, I'm not quite remembering at the moment.

Feel free to ask anything or send a PM.

Also, along with the Find Me GF app, there's a GF scanner app to use in stores, you just scan the barcode with it.

[chocolatecake]

Its a big change but she will starting feeling so much better being off Gluten as the gut heals.

We’ve been GF in our household for about 5 years after my DD and I both were diagnosed. It’s hard at first but it’s gets easier.

My first recommendation is to look at her current diet and find out what foods she normally likes to eat and find comparable GF options. Walmart has a small section of reasonably priced GF products. We buy a lot of Glutino, Scharr, Katz & Walmart’s brand. Brailla is our favorite for pasta. Freschetta has good GF pizzas. If you want specific anything feel free to reach out , weve tried just about everything!

Definitely search out a GF travel dining app, very helpful!

[leahcar]

My DD has been GF for 13 years. It’s so much easier now than it used to be, but it’s a totally normal feeling to mourn what you lost.

While the pastry tour is probably a no, I suspect she can still eat well in Europe!

At home- Focus on what she eats now that she can still have. Then start researching substitutes. Barilla makes excellent GF pasta. GF Oreos taste just the same. I use Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour in a blue bag. No one can tell the difference with that flour for cakes, cookies, etc


My DD carried snacks with her for YEARS in case she couldn’t eat in public. That basically only stopped once she could drive. I also left GF treats with her teachers in elementary school. (It was usually packs of M&m’s). That way she could participate in birthdays without being left out.

Many of us have walked this road so please let us know anything we can do to help. She will feel so much better! This will all be worth it.

[beepers]

Oh yes definitely send safe treats for her teacher to keep on hand for birthdays etc if your school allows food treats.

I send a box of safe bars for DS to have and his teacher lets me know when he takes one out. Figure out which treat your DD likes best. Some GF brands I’ve seen are Partake and Made Good.

Partake cookies and Made Good Cookies both have little single serve mini cookie packs at Target (but not every Target carries them)

[jaidit]

I’m sorry to hear about her diagnosis- fear not, for in Paris there are a ton of great gluten free options for delicious pastries :

Copains - the best gluten free bakery, you seriously can’t tell the difference with their bread and pastries. They have one location in the Marais and another in Les Halles
60 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris, France
29 Rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004 Paris, France

Chambelland - another great option that has delicious cakes and tartes as well as bread and pastries
14 Rue Ternaux, 75011 Paris, France 75011

Noglu- the first gluten free spot in Paris, they have bakeries around the city and a restaurant.
noglu.fr/pages/contact

Macarons are naturally gluten free (just almond meal, egg white and sugar and filling) My favorite spot is Pierre Hermé.

[mc03]

Thank you so much everyone for the responses and tips and support. It really helps it all feel not quite so overwhelming. And jaidit thank you for the Paris bakery recommendations, this makes me feel so much better about our trip.

[chocolatecake]

I wanted to add that Aldi has selection of “Live G free” products throughout the store at reasonable prices, GF prices are no joke!

Also, on IG there are several people who travel and share their GF dining experiences/suggestions. That might be helpful with your upcomping trip. Just in case you hadn’t thought to look there.