618.sticking to gluten free diet Moderated discussion and help for gluten free, coeliac, celiac, wheat allergies or intolerance, Cookery and recipes

sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-02

what do you do with 14 year old son who is rebelling against his gluten free diet.
he says that because he has no symptoms, and can eat ordinary foods, weighs in at 10 stone,is 5ft 8ins and hates being a coliac, that he's ok. He was diagnosed at the age of 4 and has stuck to a gluten free diet up until he reached 13 (that wonderful age

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-04

HTML>You have a difficult problem. I hope somebody who has experienced the same problem can comment.

Peter

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-05

One abiding memory of my time at school before my diagnosis, was returning from the summer holidays having unintentionally followed a gluten free diet.
In my first games lesson we ran a crosscountry course and I suprised everyone by coming third.
One week of eating normal food later, I did not have enough energy to complete the course.

This drastic difference may not be evident in others, but it demonstrates that
even if you feel well, you may not be as healthy as you think.

Regards

Richard

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-06

thanks richard for reply. i know what you mean, but trying to convince my son of that is not so easy, especially as he's at that lovely communicative, easy-going stage of development,i.e. a teenager! He says that he would rather eat normal foods than be different. i am hoping that it is just part of him being a teenager, you know, the "i must fit in stage". any way thanks again for reply.

all the best

sharon

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-18

I've just recently been told that I have coeliac,s after several blood tests and 2 endoscopies (first one did not confirm it, second one did apparently.)

I'm in my 40's and have no symptons other than anemia and raised platelet levels. Does this mean I have it fairly mildly?

After 6 months of being very careful can I occassioanly allow myself the odd treat like a chinese take-away

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-09-18

hello cathy,
i would suggest that if you feel ok, then the occasional 'chinese' will not hurt you. my son cheats on a regular basis! and seems to suffer no side effects. but be careful, just because you feel ok doesnt mean your not damaging your intestines.
i am no doctor but i would think that going by my sons symptoms when he was younger, before diagnosis, that you have it quite mildly. i hope i have been some help to you. good luck.
ps. i would suggest if your not already a member, you join the coeliac society.

sharon

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-10-02

Sharon
I was first told when i was 5 that i had to live on my diet, when i was 13 i was still on my diet, but breaking it when ever my mum and dad wasnt around, my dad could never understand why i was happy to make him a cup of tea before i went to bed, daft sod, i was nicking the biscuits... Im now 42 im still alive and kicking, sometimes i have some bad days... indians and pizzas, can't help it i love um but it aint killed me..
your boy, sometime he'll break his diet, belive me when he feels ill he will know, and of his own accord he will sudenlly be on a very strict diet, dont worry it's never killed me just made me ill and sorry for myself........I wish you all the luck in the world, its not easy but belive me when your boy eats something that he shouldnt, he'll know and wont do it again.... tell him that 37 years ago all they had was tinned bread and a sort of biscuit??? good luck.

and yes, still now i break my diet and then when i feel the effects, go on to avery strict diet again, good job i like meat fruit & veg

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-10-02

Iain,
Thanks for your email, it made me laugh. I take your point about Mat sticking to his diet. But us mothers are born to worry about their sons!!!!!!!! And Mat has done exactly the same to me with regard to making tea! Im glad you only cheat on occasion and hope you do well in future. Again thanks for email, it helped

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-11-15

Sharon
thanks for your reply, hope your boys doing ok.. He really will know when he needs to be strict with his diet, dont worry to much wait till he finds the joy of beer he'll be ill then but dont worry he'll get over it. dont worry easy for me to say im 42 and my mum still nags me !!!
goodluk
Iain

Re: sticking to gluten free diet: from on 2001-11-16

Iain,
Thanks for email. Mat doing ok at the moment. Was bad this week, so i presume he has been cheating!!!!!!! As you said he puts himself back on the diet when he's bad so have decided to let him get on with it. I'll just see what happens! Also because he stays school meals i cant see what he eats at lunchtime, so have to trust him. Anyway, your mom is allowed to nag you, thats what moms do! We wouldnt be moms if we didnt have something to nag you about.
Thanks again for reply, hope your not cheating too much.
sharon