Coeliac | Wahaca, Southbank.

Prior to being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease I considered myself to be a real foodie. Once diagnosed I went on a bit of a mental health journey whilst I accepted my newly discovered food restrictions. I used to visit London often and thoroughly enjoyed the foodie culture, in particular the markets and street food vendors. Since going gluten free I've only visited London once and I was rather hesitant regarding food and chose to stick with well known restaurant chain, Wahaca. I know there is a vibrant gluten free foodie community just waiting for me to discover but whilst my confidence grows it's reassuring to know that there's a safe place to me eat when out and about in the city.

Coeliac | The Golden Cross, Coventry.

We recently stayed at Bede Serviced Apartments in Coventry to attend the Freefrom and Allergy Show at the Birmingham NEC. We had a spare afternoon and decided to make the most of our child free time by heading out for a meal. Eating out when you're Coeliac is an anxiety inducing occasion that requires a lot of planning, scouring menus and reading reviews. We researched gluten free places to eat in Coventry and came across the usual chain restaurants but to my delight I chanced upon a glowing review for The Golden Cross, a 17th century pub that has an entirely gluten free kitchen- what a stroke of luck to be a twenty minute walk from somewhere that sounded so amazing!

Coeliac | The Stable Birmingham

After a busy day at the NEC for the Allergy and Freefrom Show we headed into the city centre to visit the German Christmas Market. A quick Google of the best gluten free places to eat brought up some fabulous reviews for The Stable Birmingham so we decided to give it a try.

All Mine Cakes By The Lake

All Mine Cakes By The Lake, Maythorne Lane Southwell, NG25 0RS

I wrote a post about how I'm coping with having Coeliac Disease a year on from my diagnosis and though I admit it's been emotionally challenging learning to accept gluten free life I've begun to look for the positives and I'm trying to embrace life as a coeliac foodie. A family member tagged me in one of All Mine Cakes Facebook posts and I couldn't quite believe that such a place existed. A tea room that is entirely gluten free and the best part is it's just 30 minutes away.

Coeliac Disease : A Year Living Gluten Free

Being diagnosed as having Coeliac Disease in adulthood was really difficult. I'd had 32 years being able to eat whatever I wanted. I'd enjoyed my life as a foodie, eating out often, trying new things and enjoying the freedom and convenience of a unrestricted diet. It isn't an exaggeration to say that being diagnosed coeliac felt like the end of the world. I felt like one of the key aspects of my personality had been taken away from me. I couldn't possibly be a 'foodie' anymore. I'm not afraid to say that accepting that diagnosis was a period of grief. I mourned for the food I could no longer eat. After a period of self pity and genuine sadness I began to get accustomed to my new way of life and it is an entirely different way of life, it's so much more than 'not being allowed' foods with gluten. 

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease And Living Gluten Free

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. It is not to be confused with a gluten intolerance or a fad diet. People with coeliac disease have an immune response when they ingest gluten. Continued exposure to gluten causes damage to the villi in the intestine. The villi are finger like structures that usually stand upright and help the body to absorb vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. In those with untreated coeliac disease the villi become flattened and can no longer perform their function.