1 year after the celiac diagnose

We were on vacation when the phone rang. 
"The blood test results for your daughter are in – the result is clear – your daughter has celiac disease!" BAM! The diagnosis hit us like a ton of bricks, even though we had already started considering the possibility before the call.

Our daughter's iron levels had been low for a long time. She was growing slowly, often tired, and lacked energy. She had never complained about stomach pain, so we never suspected that her diet might be the cause.

Now we had certainty, and as a mother, I immediately felt a wave of guilt: "Why didn’t I notice this earlier?" We were incredibly sad and also worried about the changes this diagnosis would bring.

At the time, our daughter was four years old, and we explained to her what would change. To this day, we are amazed at how she embraced the new situation without much complaint. Of course, even now, a year later, she doesn’t fully grasp what it means to follow a strict diet for life. But by now, she knows exactly what makes her feel good and what happens when she accidentally eats gluten. It has happened a few times – and each time, her body reacts fiercely, as if fighting off an invader.

Other parents in the same situation had told us, "You’ll see how much her mood will improve." And they were right. Today – one year later – we are exhausted but happy. Our daughter is full of energy and joy. She plays, laughs, and grows. And she continues to surprise us.

She loves sharing her food and explaining to others what she can and cannot eat. The kids in her kindergarten group are incredibly attentive and curious – they see it as something special. One of her friends even wanted to have a gluten-free birthday party. Moments like these make us so happy.

By now, our daughter has become a little food expert – and our toughest critic when it comes to sourdough bread. She is our driving force, reminding us to never lose sight of the joy of eating. And she proves to us every day that all the effort we put in is always worth it!