It has been over a year now since I was diagnosed with celiac disease. The disease where you cannot have gluten as much as you want to without horrible side effects, both long term and sort term. Until I write more, and even when I do, I encourage you to read about the disease if it interests you. I will never say I know everything, because I know I don't. Life is a continuous journey of lessons and experiences that mold your current knowledge base.
Today, while walking through the store, I had another sense of longing. Longing for the foods I once knew and had eaten with no, clear to me at the time, consequences before my diagnoses. The seeing of childhood treats like fig newtons and goldfish crackers had made me sigh a little. It is not easy being completely gluten free, and I have never quite understood why someone would willingly choose the diet, but then I smile at the thought when I look at the cereal on the shelf with clear labeling.
Each time my mind goes into one of those day dreams of remembering past tastes I remind myself how much better I feel when going for alternatives. Now I feel much more energetic. For one I am starting this blog, a feat I never even thought possible to accomplish before. I always wanted to start one, just didn't have the energy.
What helps in those times as well, is knowing I can try to make gluten free versions of treats I once enjoyed. So far some have come out alright, others, well, they need work. I do try though, which is what keeps me motivated to try again in the future, when I have time. If any of you would wish for me to post my food recipe trials, please let me know!
I know how the temptation of food memories can create this inner war within your brain. This happens with me particularly when it comes to foods I was accustomed to when I was a child, and continued to be a customer of the product later in life, until the diagnoses. This is why I hope this post helps you in any way possible with beating the inner dialogue, if nothing else because of reading being a distraction.
Visualization helps immensely, specifically certain images. Here is a list of them, should you wish to use them for your own fight against temptation.
1) Envision how you feel when you are reacting to gluten. That will be your reality, as it was back then, should you have that food, sweet, or drink.
2) If you are anything like me, think through how this one decision will make you feel horrible the next few days.
3) This is one I use that those of you who do not have physical symptoms of celiac disease can partake in. It is dark, but imagine how you want to die. Do you want to die from cancer? Of course you may die of cancer anyway, there are many factors which go into it, but do you want to increase your chances?
I hope that these visualization ideas help, at the very least, some of you who are reading this blog of mine. I remember when I was first diagnosed, being happy because of knowing what was going on with me, but sad that my diet and social eating behaviors were going to change drastically.
If any of you have questions for me and do not mind if I do a short article mentioning your question, please ask it in the comments. I only ask you please include in your comment how you prefer to be addressed, whether that is with a name or anonymous, and which pronouns you prefer.
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