Shared experiences create a unique kind of connection that’s hard to replicate in any other way. Whether a diagnsois of coeliac disease is challenging or easy because others you know have been diagnosed before you, every individual's experience is unique.  This is Cilla's journey with coeliac disease....

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease over 20 years ago. After being continuously unwell and anaemic, I was referred for an endoscopy. When my GP confirmed the diagnosis, I had no idea what it meant.

It wasn't easy to begin with, as I love my food. Many times, I wandered around supermarkets looking for a quick, easy meal, or hoped that a fast-food outlet could provide something gluten-free. Seriously, I was dreaming - about 99.5% of the time, there was nothing. At times, I would just end up in tears.

Fast forward 10, 15, and 20 years, and how times have changed. I now feel spoilt for choice. The taste, texture, and variety available today are pretty amazing. In addition, there is far more information, many cookbooks, and people in the hospitality industry now have some knowledge of gluten-free food.

For anyone beginning their gluten-free journey, it is seriously tough at first. Not only are you learning to read labels and changing your shopping habits and pantry ingredients, but it is also difficult to educate family and friends, as they often forget. It does get easier - I promise.

Cilla’s top tip is to always keep a lunchbox or a supply of gluten-free snacks on hand - in the car, at your desk, or elsewhere; especially when attending workplace meetings, lunches, or events. That way, if suitable food isn’t provided or your dietary requirements are overlooked (which unfortunately happens often), you’ll still have safe gluten-free options available.

Once again, I’m delighted to be a new member of Coeliac New Zealand and look forward to bigger and better things to come for our coeliac community.