What I Have Learned to Love About Celiac Disease

When I first got celiac disease, I thought there was a lot that I simply couldn’t do. I couldn’t go out to eat with friends, couldn’t wear certain makeup, and I even had to be wary of some bottles of lotion because the ingredients would mess with me. However, I soon realized that even though things changed, there were things that I learned to love about celiac disease.

If you have celiac disease, you probably remember the first thing you thought of after your diagnosis. I remember mine, “Oh… Well, now what?” Well now we live in a time when gluten-free options are a thing. We can have cauliflower pizza or something besides salads without croutons when we eat out. You soon realize, that it isn’t going to be that hard.

Don’t get me wrong, I got down about it during the early days of my diagnosis. But I didn’t stay that way. I made the most of what was “wrong” with me and made it right. And since then, I have found all the best parts of celiac disease! I want to share this with you friends, since you all have been there on my journey and know how open I am about living with celiac disease. But what you don’t know are the best aspects of this alternative lifestyle. And who knows, maybe this will help someone who is recently discovering they may have this and it will help keep them calm and positive during turbulent times. Here is a short list of all that I love about celiac disease.

What I Love about Celiac Disease

I am Diagnosed!

In a recent PEW study, there are over 2.5 million people in North America that have celiac and are undiagnosed. Being diagnosed with such a serious disease is honestly one of the best things about it because from there, you can take full control over what is going on with your body and start instantly getting better from there on out! Of course there is a spectrum with how bad it is for some and how others can get away with a little more, but if you feel like you or a loved one should get tested, you probably should – just to be safe.

I have an Instant Community!

Outside of my amazing peeps that read my blog and follow me in my adventures, I have an instant new community when it comes to being celiac. Whether it be fellow bloggers, Instagram friends, or even those I meet around the world, they instantly understand things I am not able to put into words. They already know what we all can have for dinner, they know the best recommendations when it comes to gluten-free skin care products or makeup brands, and they feel like home. Not that my friends make me feel estranged during events, but my celiac community makes me feel comfortable in my own skin!

I have Gotten Healthier and Wiser about my Food!

Although practicing a healthy diet is something I think I would be all about even without celiac (or type 1 diabetes), I have learned a lot about food and what it does for your body. Each meal I put into my body is carefully crafted and understood fully. I know its function and its benefits to me. Which I think is really cool and kind of beautiful knowing that my body is literally growing and becoming stronger from my food. I try to stay eating as clean as possible with going to farmer’s markets and such. So with also giving my body the good food it needs, I am also supporting local farmer’s markets, too! Try going to yours (even if you aren’t celiac!) once a week and I promise you will see and feel a difference!

I get my own Dishes at Food Centered Functions!

Yep. I get entire pies and side dishes all. to. my. self. Jealous? You should be haha but holidays like Thanksgiving, my friends and family are great in including me in what they prepare, but sometimes I have to bring my own dish which means, it is literally MY own dish. Yay! No sharing!

My Body is Enjoying not Having Gluten!

I’m not even kidding. It is like my body is thanking me for not eating gluten. My hair, skin, and nails have all shed their what used to be normal tendencies like not growing or having acne. Once gluten left my life for good, they all became stronger, healthier, and noticeably clearer! My hair started growing like nobody’s business and I had to start getting it cut on the regular – which was totally new to me! This is one of the unexpected things that I love about celiac disease.

Controlling my Celiac is Relatively Easy!

Though this has taken a bit to master, it really is not that hard to upkeep a gluten-free life. There are no hormones, shots, or surgeries that I need to have done to maintain my celiac. What I really need to do is my homework with what goes into my body whether it be food or products that will go on my skin. And putting in that extra effort really isn’t that bad when it has been part of your life for so long. There are so many tasty gluten free foods at Trader Joe’s or natural food stores, that I have a lot of choices.

I am who I am today because of celiac disease. And I am so proud of that! So my friends, just remember if there is something you are going through, especially healthwise, just remember that educating yourself and staying positive are the two best things you can do for you, your body, and your mind. You are totally allowed your bad days. Heck, you’re allowed bad seasons. We’re only human and trying our best here! Just remember to keep your head up and you got this. You are stronger than your fears!

What do you love about celiac disease? Follow along with me on Instagram if you aren’t already.

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