Coeliac Children's Nurse Alex
Introducing Alex, a Children's Nurse who was diagnosed with both Coeliac Disease & Type 1 Diabetes as a child
Introduce yourself – name, your Instagram, about yourself.
Hi, I am Alex, I am a 29-year-old children’s nurse living in the North East and you can find me @gluten_freetravel
Describe your life prior to your diagnosis.
I was diagnosed at the age of 6 with type 1 diabetes, and at 8 with coeliac disease, so I can’t remember a life without them. I know it might seem crazy, but I prefer to have never known a life without having it because it’s no different for me (except the food is a lot better)!
When did you first suspect you might have coeliac disease, and how did you get diagnosed?
My diagnosis came 2 years after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This was picked up in a routine annual blood test, and I was sent for a biopsy for confirmation. At the time I wasn’t poorly, I just had a large and hard belly!
How does managing type 1 diabetes impact your approach to a gluten-free diet?
Thankfully it doesn’t. I am lucky enough to carbohydrate count for my food meaning I can eat any anything as long as I have the insulin for it, (and of course its gluten free)!
Have you found any support groups or resources that help with managing both conditions?
I am always on the lookout for support groups but haven’t found any where I live yet. I have recently started my Instagram last year and have been lucky to find a supportive group of people who are sharing helpful tips & tricks, making life as a coeliac so much easier. Diabetes UK and Coeliac UK have great websites & helplines for anyone requiring further help and support.
How do you prepare for a trip to make sure you have safe food options for both coeliac disease?
Plan, plan, plan! It is one of them mundane jobs, but you can’t be unprepared when it comes to holidays- Tripadvisor is my go-to, and I always check @myglutenfreeguide travel guide for recommendations too.
Which destinations have been the most coeliac friendly?
Australia is my number one- I have been four times now and never had to worry about pre booking or being glutended- there is just no issue to accommodate over there. I really wish the UK would make it that easy.
I also visited Porto last year and there were lots of amazing coeliac safe foods there too!
What are your go-to travel snacks that are coeliac-safe?
I always carry ‘Nairs Oaties’ as they come in packets so they’re really handy and don’t melt in the sun. ‘Welove cake’ raspberry ripple cakes are my little treat I always take on an adventure. Other boring but essential snacks I carry are fruit and popcorn.
Would you like to add anything to your story?
After being diagnosed with these conditions at an early age it inspired me to become a children’s nurse. I am passionate about using these conditions to their advantages in order to help children and their families see that these conditions live with you, you don’t live with them.
