Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do you say that you are happy to have a gluten allergy diagnosis?

I had annoying health issues for years like itchy skin and breakouts, lack of energy, sores in my mouth, and more dental problems than other people. My joints ached and my knees were painful and swollen, and I seemed to get “food poisoning” all of the time!   My son even said to me “Mom, it isn’t normal that you throw up all the time!”  With all of those symptoms, I never put it together and neither did my doctors.  Now that I am finally gluten free, I’m not sick anymore!  I feel so much better! My skin looks and feels great, I have a ton of energy and I don’t feel sick all the time! I can step off a curb and not be concerned that my knees are going to buckle.  I know now what makes me sick!  I love finding new foods and putting together delicious recipes. Watching what I eat is something I can control and is a small price to pay for good health!

2. Why did you choose a vegan and gluten free diet?

I never intended to eat vegan. I took a plant based diet class called CHIP that was being advertised by one of my clients, hoping to overcome my lack of energy when I tried to eat vegetarian. After taking the month long class, I discovered that I could still eat a delicious diet by making substitutions and I not only felt better, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.  My blood work showed a huge improvement!  Once I began eating vegan, the issues of pollution and factory farming came to my attention and reinforced that I’d made the right choice.

I stopped eating gluten because in an attempt to find a vegan substitute for meat, I had a reaction to seitan which is made with vital wheat gluten.  My throat closed up!  A blood test indicated a problem, and after a gluten challenge, and an endoscopy, I received an official diagnosis of a gluten allergy.  I chose to eat vegan. I did not choose to be gluten intolerant.

3. Isn’t a vegan and gluten free diet expensive?

It can be, but avoiding processed food will help keep the costs down.  There are many naturally occurring gluten- free foods such as vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, fruit and gluten free grains, to choose from. Many of the substitute products like “meats” and chesses can get expensive fast, so using them sparingly will help with your budget.  Watch for sales and then stock up on your frequently used pantry items.

4. If a product label says gluten free, it’s safe to eat, right?

Unfortunately, a product can contain 20 parts per million of gluten and still be labeled gluten free by a manufacturer.  I have had a reaction to a product clearly marked “gluten free.”  Avoid highly processed food and  check the ingredients list to check for hidden gluten bearing ingredients, like rye, malt, and brewer’s yeast to name a few. I Google anything that I’m not positive about.  Also note that a “wheat free” product can still contain gluten.

5. What about dining out?

Don’t give up your social life because of your eating restrictions! Many restaurants now have gluten free and vegan items on their menus. When I know I’m going to a particular restaurant, I check their website ahead of time to scope out my best choices. If you call them during their non-rush hours, the manager may be able to make suggestions to you. Don’t assume that restaurant workers know what a vegan or gluten free diet entails. You may have to ask pointed questions. I once had a restaurant worker tell me that the “white sauce” was vegan because it wasn’t made with “milk”.  When I pressed her, it turns out that the base was regular mayonnaise, which contains eggs! Remember, you can always eat ahead of time and chose something that you know is safe, like a salad…no croutons of course!

6. How do you handle holidays with your family?

I finally have a handle on family holidays. I am the only person in my family that eats vegan and there is one other person that has a problem with gluten, but is not vegan. My mother is elderly and expects a ham or a turkey on the table for holidays and she will never change.  My solution is to put the turkey or ham on the table, but make sure that every side dish is both gluten free and vegan. At Christmas dinner, there was cranberry sauce, lot of fresh vegetables, fruit salad, and no one even noticed that the potato salad was made with vegan mayonnaise, the smoky baked beans didn’t have meat, or that the dip contained cashews!  Try to delegate the cooking of the meat, though. After you don’t eat meat for a while, cooking a ham feels like handling a body!

If you are eating at someone else’s home, take a couple of side dishes to share that meet your dietary needs and make that your meal.  The host, more than likely, will have a couple of things you can eat. Be sure to let them know you have dietary requirements just in case they’ve used bread crumbs in that casserole!