Tomorrow will be two full weeks since I started eating gluten-free. And while it’s not the easiest thing in the world, it’s also not the hardest either. In fact, I haven’t had many problems at all. There are still many foods I love that are allowed.
My solution for fast food? A baked potato from Wendy’s and two Whopper patties that I bring home and eat like a real meal. A chocolate craving gets a little too strong to ignore? Butterfinger candy bars are allowed (yay!). In need of comfort food? Tinkyada pasta to the rescue. Can’t tell the difference between ‘real’ macaroni and cheese and the gluten-free version I made last week.
The only thing that’s caused me any concern at all is this weekend. Yesterday was the annual pig roast my brother’s host every year. All the guests bring a dish to pass, and they provide…obviously…the meat.
I’ve always brought mashed potatoes and gravy, which meant peeling enough spuds to feed a small army, and cooking a pork roast for the broth. I’d add a couple of packages of pork gravy mix, and the results have been very tasty. Except this year I had to make a small batch just for me because the dry mix contains wheat.
I was also worried because I knew some of my favorite foods would be sitting on the buffet tables. Favorites I can no longer eat. Would I be strong enough to do the right thing? Absolutely. The only thing I did wrong was to assume the chocolate covered Rice Krispies treats were safe. I mean rice? It sounded safe enough. But having three of the little squares likely explains the almost overwhelming fatigue I’ve had to deal with today.
And that does lead us to today…my family reunion.
If I thought the pig roast was going to be challenging, it doesn’t hold a candle to the reunion. None of my mother’s scalloped potatoes or apple pie? Goodbye to the cheesy potatoes with the crunchy topping, a specialty of one aunt. And another aunt’s rice/chicken/broccoli/cheese casserole…no more (because it contains a cream soup with…you guessed it…a wheat product).
But surprisingly enough, I didn’t have a problem not eating all those foods. Yeah, I was a little bummed out about it, but it was a very fleeting feeling. Instead, I decided I was just going to have to find a way to alter the recipes so I can still enjoy them. Just probably not at the same picnic or pig roast, because in order for me to eat all of those dishes, I’d have to make all of the dishes. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make them all, one at a time, to enjoy throughout the rest of the year.
So all in all, I’m very pleased with the way the weekend food orgy went. I did eat the one gluten containing food, but that is because I assumed it was a safe food (and to be honest, I’m not really sorry because it was still really good!). It gives me hope that I will survive the coming holiday season without feel completely deprived.
For now, though, I think I’m going to have to find a recipe for that chocolate covered crispy rice treat that’s safe for me to eat. On the other hand, I’m the only one in the house that has to do gluten-free thing, which means they’d all be mine.
Hmm. Might not be the best idea I’ve ever had, even though my taste buds are thinking it is.