Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Janelle. You may have already know her blog Nellbe Gluten Free where she shares her experiences, knowledge and some great gluten free recipes. Janelle has coeliac disease so lives on a strict gluten free diet. Here's what she had to share with us....
Being pregnant, especially for the first time is an exciting
time as well as an anxious time. I know it was for me, lots of questions,
thoughts and worries went through my head. Just like all mums but for me, I
felt a worry about them and being food allergic.
You see,I have coeliac disease. Which basically means that I need to have a strict gluten
free diet for the rest of my life. If not, I will be a very sick woman.
Following a gluten free diet isn't easy but it is easier
than you think. Cooking for myself is super duper easy. Relying on others is
hard when they prepare your food, especially when out at a cafe or restaurant. Your
health and well being is totally at the mercy of someone else.
The ongoing research into coeliac disease has found there to
be a genetic link. That is if you have coeliac disease then there is a high
risk of your offspring being born with the gene and then maybe developing the
disease.
Hence the extra worry when pregnant. I breastfed in the first 6 months I knew they were being
gluten free so if they happened to have
coeliac disease when born, they should be ok.
Then came the solids. The worry heightened and I was
probably more careful that most. That is, I didn't introduce wheat until they
were 12 months old, no other gluten until beyond that and I still am very
careful about giving them too much wheat or gluten - but that's the mama bear
coming out in me, being over cautious.
I was also worried about other food allergies or
intolerances, no egg or nut products until they were 12 months, not actual
whole nuts until they were 3.
Some of Janelles favourite Gluten Free products
My sons are now 8 and 3 1/2 and so far, so good. My eldest does have eczema and asthma and
even though doctors tell me they are not food related conditions, I beg to
differ. We do trial eliminations and the eczema disappears for a while but then
it comes back. Which is frustrating.
They will be tested for coeliac disease when the time is
right, they still might develop it at some stage but for now, it seems they
don't have to worry about it.
My son goes to school where there is a blanket nut free
policy which is wonderful. My eldest has 2 children in his classroom that are anaphylactic to nuts. My son is more
cautious than others as he knows through my experiences how food can be poison to
someone else. He even told other children off for having fruit bars that may
contain traces of nuts!
Banana Cake
As a coeliac I have the awareness and understanding of
ensuring food allergic children I come into contact with for parties and food
treats that they are still included. I understand that how they feel when
everyone in the classroom gets a treat and they don't as they aren't allowed to
have it.
This is why in one way I am grateful for having coeliac
disease, to be able to cater for every child is something I am happy to do. I
understand that if I don't, they'll feel left out. And nobody wants a child to
feel like they aren't important enough to be thought of. They deserve a treat
too.
Hummus
If you, or someone you know needs some help with being gluten free, pop on over and check out Janelle's blog at Nellbe
Gluten Free where she shares recipes and ideas about being Gluten Free. She
also blogs about being a parent and all that fun that brings.
Janelle has just released an ebook called Gluten Free Kids. A fabulous resource for parents with gluten
free children.