Two days ago, my life changed forever. After being sick for months and not knowing why, my doctor figured out that I have Celiac Sprue and need to stop eating gluten.

My jaw dropped when he told me. Until that moment, I was always making fun of what I called “the gluten free fad”. I worked with a girl who was gluten free and it was all she ever seemed to talk about, and I guess I just got sick of hearing about it. Now I wish I had made fun or her less and listened a little more, because I am so lost.

It seems like everything has  gluten in it. Pretty much every item in my pantry needs to be tossed and I’ve been pretty scared to eat ever since being diagnosed. I feel like I’m losing a war against food. When I try to think of something I can eat, all that pops into my head are images of things I will never eat again. The burger joint I used to love, the cronuts I will never try…. they just keep running through my brain, taunting me.

So right now I’m starving. And if I am being honest, I’m a little scared. I don’t know what my new gluten-free life will bring, but I know it is going to be a challenge. Luckily, I have a really good doctor and excellent insurance, so next Tuesday I am going to go to a special class for newbies. Hopefully after they show me the ropes I will be more confident about eating.

Until then, I guess I will stick to plain salad and whatever expensive gluten free things I can find at Whole Paycheck tomorrow. It will cost me a fortune, but at least I will be able to eat with confidence!

What about you– were you scared to eat when you were first diagnosed? What kind of foods did you eat?

-Catrine