I've recently moved to Dunedin with my young family, after being in Auckland for the last seven years.

Eating out has always been a source of anxiety for me since getting diagnosed with coeliac disease, but over the years we found several spots we knew 'got it', which gave me confidence that I could enjoy a meal and not regret it in the coming weeks. There is a sense of starting over again in a new city - finding the new favourite spot for a gluten-free scone (the holy grail in my book!), where stocks gluten-free beer and what places have an exclusively gluten-free frier. Luckily, I have friends who live in Dunedin who also manage the disease and who are happy to share their insider tips! I've found the CoeliacNZ Facebook page really helpful for finding new spots quickly and on the fly. 

Before we had our son, we hardly ever had any gluten in the house, however, we're conscious about exposing him to all the different allergens while he's young and so our top priority at the moment is allowing him space to explore all different foods. This does mean a bit more risk for me personally - we need to be extra vigilant when it comes to cleaning up afterwards. Toddlers are notoriously messy and you'd be surprised where crumbs can end up! I'm also conscious of traces on his hands and mouth. 

Organisation is key for me, especially when it comes to work. In Auckland, I was in a role that meant I was often out on site a lot, and the base didn't have many gluten-free options close by. I always kept pre-cooked rice packets and tins of tuna in the car as a quick fuel up if I needed it. Having a toddler made being organised on weekends easier - we'd always need to pack snacks for him, so it was a good reminder to pack gluten-free snacks for myself too, in case we ended up on an adventure somewhere that didn't have any safe options. 

I find getting glutened really impacts my mood and energy levels, rather than any immediate physical soreness. However, this makes me extra careful because the impacts can last a long time, and with a demanding job and a young son, it's time I don't have to spare. You think parenting on a hangover is hard - try parenting after being glutened! 

Article provided by Ben Grant, Board Member of Coeliac New Zealand (from 2022 - 2023)

If you are keen to share your lived experience with coeliac disease contact admin@coeliac.org.nz