What price good health?

When I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2003 after being very ill for a considerable amount of time my first reactions were:

• well at least I know what it is because my grandfather had the condition
• now I know what was wrong with me I can do something about it
• all I need to do is change my diet*

I’ve generally been an optimistic person throughout my life. Like everyone else I’ve had my challenges in life but in the last few years I’ve learnt that the only difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they view those challenges. Sadly in our education system (I am a qualified teacher too) kids these days aren’t allowed to fail which does not set them up for life.

Yes you can feel sorry for yourself and think ‘Why me?’ or you can take responsibility for your life and health and do something about it! I’ve made mistakes over the years and continue to do so but each time I learn something and it makes me stronger.

There is too much focus from the medical profession and Coeliac UK on what we can’t eat instead of what we can! There are only 4 things that coeliacs can’t eat – wheat, barley and rye and some oats. OK that pretty much cuts out most processed food but no one should be eating that anyway. It’s no wonder that many people have other health issues as well such as diabetes and thyroid problems because many are pushed gluten free substitutes for these foods instead of being given advice on proper nutrition. Sadly the quality of advice people receive from their doctors and dietitians varies greatly on how clued up they are. Through trial and error, doing research, reading books I have learnt so much in the last 7 years about how important good nutrition is for our health.

Yes I know we are all told we need to eat ’5 a day’ and other information is bombarded at us on a daily basis but do you really know? And even more importantly do you do it? Although I knew the basics of good nutrition I wasn’t doing it and I put on a lot of weight after I was diagnosed. I realised then that what is needed as well as a change in diet is a change of mind too. It wasn’t until I changed the way I thought that I really began to see positive changes. As a result I not only lost a lot of weight very quickly but changes in other areas of my life too. I have better friendships, more opportunities coming my way for example. This isn’t just luck or a coincidence it is down to conscious action.

I have been helping people with weight loss following my success and now I want to expand and help coeliacs who have been recently diagnosed to regain optimum health as quickly as possible. Of course this is not intended to replace advice from their doctor or dietitian but in addition to it to enable them to take responsibility for their own health and stop feeling like a victim.

*I have since learned that there is more to it than that of course!