Thursday, October 22, 2009

the gluten goblin

Well! Let's say the start of my week was a hard one. My oldest daughter was struggling with school and her swinging emotions.

Sometimes her reactions affect the rest of us. Sometimes it is positively exhausting to watch and help her through. Sometimes I want to throw in the towel and walk away for a while. And then sometimes I cry, let it all out and manage to gain a new perspective.

She is also our daughter that has food allergies. Not sensitivies, but allergies. Her allergy to dairy is almost right off the chart on every dairy product. If she has some dairy, we see physical symptoms fairly quickly.

Apparently the gluten allergy is a little harder to detect unless you know what you are looking for. Two years ago she was diagnosed with these allergies and we have been pretty good about avoiding dairy, but not so much with the gluten.

What we found today, on a trip to the naturopath, is that gluten given to a child who is allergic impedes brain function. Other tests today show that her adrenel gland is depleted which leads to excess tiredness.

We were here two years ago and a big part of me didn't want to go back today. My husband was absolutely convinced we needed to take her as we were beginning to wonder if she had ADD. The regiment prescribed by the naturopath takes her off gluten and dairy, and focuses on DHA from fish oils for mental health/power and L-Glutamine for her flora health.

Sometimes I find it so hard. It is easy for hubby to support me taking her in but now I need to be responsible and follow through on the day to day cooking for an allergy. If you haven't been there, it might be hard to understand. It's hard for a child, much less an adult, to say no to things they like to eat, especially when everyone else around them is eating it.

I don't find avoiding dairy that hard. I had to do it as a teen and adult. Avoiding gluten is another thing. It is in so much of what we eat...bread, cereals, granola bars, pasta, crackers etc. Lots of the non-gluten choices are blah! Guess I might really need to start experimenting and getting creative.

It's not that I don't want to do it for her. It's just that I get tired thinking about it. Hopefully soon it will become part of our routine and will just become part of life.

7 comments:

Stephanie said...

I can't imagine having to completely change what food I make for meals, it's hard enough coming up with meals now. You love to cook though and just think of this as a creative challenge. :) Here is a blog you might find helpful: http://shivayanaturals.blogspot.com/ Heather's 2 boys also have to eat gluten free and she posts a lot of gluten free recipes that she has perfected. She also knits and sews and makes some amazing things. Hope this helps.

Holli said...

Gosh, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles right now. You'll be in my thoughts as you navigate your way through figuring out new meals and tasty gluten-free treats. All Best!

Karina said...

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

That blog isnt mine, we share the same name but she has lots of gluten free recipes that look delish!

Journeying Five said...

Thanks I will follow those links and take this as a creative challenge and a step toward even healthier living.

Heather said...

Oh, I so want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you. We have gone through the exact same things, we are still going through them. Both of my children had celiac disease, as well as food allergies, and it is a constant struggle. I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers

Oh, and if you ever want to chat about GF, just shoot me an email.

Christina said...

Oh, as someone who has had to deal with allergies both personally and as my mom dealt with them, I know how hard it can be to adjust your whole diet! May God give you much wisdom. I'll be praying for you.

stitching under oaks said...

I'll be praying for you and your daughter...I know secondhand how tough that is on you as a mom and as keeper of the meals. Check out Heather's blog...she's got great recipes that make gf look delicious.