What Should I Eat?

Some of you may already know this, but I'm pregnant. Yes, that's right Husband Joe and I are expecting Lil Olstadt in December 2010. Now I also have Celiac. Both happen right around the same time. I got diagnosed with Celiac in February and by April 1st I was pregnant. I'm confident that being gluten-free has helped me have a health pregnancy thus far, but it also presents some challenges.

Challenge # 1: When I gave up gluten in the hope of feeling better, I realized that I was giving up some of my favorite things FOREVER. I don't have an option. If I want to feel well, be healthy and not get a major life-threatening disease, I need to be gluten-free. So I parted ways with pizza, my mom's lasagna, Joe's Chicken Cordon Bleu, Oreos and many other really yummy things.

When I got pregnant, I had to gave up lunch meat, caffeine, soft cheeses, and alcohol. Rightly so--I'll do what I can to help my baby be healthy. But I have to remind myself on several occasions that I don't have to live without my favorite BBQ Chicken Breast lunch meat forever. Or that I can have a gluten-free beer (which actually tastes really good!) again. I have to remind myself that some of my dietary issues are in fact temporary.

Challenge # 2: Before being diagnosed with Celiac and before getting pregnant, I never really cooked for myself. Husband Joe usually takes care of me in that very important way. And he still does--don't get me wrong--he's been my biggest advocate and researcher when it comes to preparing gluten-free food. BUT there are nights, like tonight, when he is not home. So I have to fend for myself. And I've never been very good at that when I had all the food in the world as options (except peas, I've never liked peas). But NOW, now I have to really work. There are a few places I can go out to eat. And there are few meals that I can make quick for myself that taste okay. But on most occasions, as was the instance tonight, I eat a collection of random things.