We started Mindful Chef, with one mission in mind, to make healthy eating easy for everyone. As a result we chose to make our service gluten-free so that we could cater for all dietary requirements.
As the UK’s only gluten-free recipe box service, this Coeliac Awareness Week, we want to help raise awareness of coeliac disease and offer advice and support for those suffering from the condition.
Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten, once diagnosed it is treated by following a gluten-free diet for life. We caught up with one of our customers, David, to get some insight into the challenges of living with the condition.
David’s story
At what age were you diagnosed with coeliac disease?
I was 50 when I was diagnosed. I had sought medical advice and tests showed that my thyroid levels had suddenly nose dived. I then went on to develop Dermatitis Herpetiformis, a skin condition commonly associated with coeliac disease. After further investigation, I was diagnosed with coeliac disease.
What were your initial worries?
I had read that being undiagnosed could increase your chances of developing stomach or bowel cancer. With a family history of cancer, this was an initial concern.
Did you struggle at the beginning to alter your diet?
How have things improved for Coeliacs in recent years, in regards to food availability and eating out?
There is a greater choice of gluten-free foods available through the big supermarkets now, with many providing snacks and meal deals. I also learnt, through careful reading of labels, that a lot of products are naturally gluten-free. Eating out has also become easier, as a number of restaurants and pubs now have the training and knowledge to cater for coeliacs.
When did you come across Mindful Chef?
I work for a delivery company and have dealt with a lot of parcels from food delivery companies. Having done some research, I realised that Mindful Chef was the only brand whose boxes were totally gluten-free.
How has the service changed your approach to eating a gluten-free diet?
Mindful Chef has opened my eyes to new ingredients that I would never have normally used (even before my diagnosis), so I am eating more flavoursome, exciting meals. I’ve also learnt different ways to cook and am really enjoying the vegan recipes too.
What’s your favourite Mindful Chef recipe?
I’ve loved most of the recipes I’ve tried, though one that stands out was a tasty Trout recipe, especially as I am not a great lover of fish. I hadn’t actually eaten fish for 25 years before being diagnosed with Coeliac disease – how things change!
Do you have any final advice for other coeliacs?
- Learn to understand labels and ingredient listings on packaging, as a lot of food is still suitable for our diet.
- Make the most of experiencing new tastes and ingredients, Mindful Chef certainly helped me do this
- Don’t be afraid to let people know or ask for help. There are tons of resources out there like Coeliac UK and even local support groups.
- And remember the more experience you gain, the easier it becomes.
Starting on the 14th of May, through to the 20th of May 2018, is Coeliac Disease Awareness Week. As the UK’s only gluten-free recipe box we want help raise awareness of coeliac disease and offer advice and support for those suffering from the condition. Each day we will be bringing you helpful tips and delicious gluten-free recipes #CoeliacAwarenessWeek
We would really like to thank David for sharing his story! If you would like to give Mindful Chef a go just like David, then use the following code COELIAC for £10 off your first box. Mindful Chef healthy recipe boxes provide you with the tools to cook delicious nutritious meals, in under 30 minutes. Each box contains recipe cards, pre-portioned ingredients and fresh meat, fish and produce sourced from small award-winning British farms.