Being Celiac…

Hey there! My name is Ashley Nolan, and I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when I was 22. I received the call just a few days after I graduated college, ironically ate Italian food for graduation dinner and it clicked why I couldn’t finish my food when before I was able to.

Before being diagnosed, I barely understood what it entailed and found out my friend has had this disease for a good portion of her life and never realized it. At least when I got diagnosed, I wasn’t alone through the process. My family and boyfriend had to learn and understand along with me what I was limited to, how to control the cross contamination, and making the overall life change. I will say I had a few experiences that are lessons learned, read the menu when you go out to eat and inform of your condition, it isn’t worth the pain and the aftermath.

Going out to eat became a struggle, wanting certain baked goods was a struggle, and just finding what I wanted to eat and actually enjoyed. I will admit, I did cry multiple times when I couldn’t eat something I wanted. My boyfriend wouldn’t know what to do because he didn’t know how to bake gluten-free or what to get, so I became determined to bake on my own. I learned how to bake what I wanted, learned to cook what I wanted, and actually enjoyed what I made.

For those who are new to being Celiac, don’t let the struggle of adjusting put you down. Trust me, it may be tough, but it is worth it in the end.