About Me
My name's Ali and my story begins back in 1996 when I started getting immense tummy pain and bloating but not knowing why.
I had countless trips to the doctor, an operation under general anaesthetic (after being misdiagnosed with endometriosis) and was reaching the end of my tether.
It was only a chance encounter with a new (and wonderful) doctor that I got my life back again.
He suggested coeliac disease, which eventually led to me having a positive biopsy and a strict gluten-free diet.
It wasn't long before I finally felt normal again. But I had to learn everything myself. I would have loved to have had someone to help me on my journey.
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And that's why I began Life on a Rice Cake.
Why 'Life on a Rice Cake'?
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After my coeliac diagnosis, I honestly thought my problems were over. But just a year later I was in hideous pain again. I decided it had to be food-related and started eliminating things. Eventually I got down to eating just rice cakes.
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I finally managed to see a gastroenterologist who went through everything with me.
"Are you eating gluten?" he enquired.
"No."
"Dairy?"
"No."
"Alcohol?"
"None. I'm only eating rice cakes."
He paused. "What are you drinking?"
"2 or 3 bottles of Diet Coke every day." (I saw it as a treat.)
And there lay the problem: Diet Coke contains caffeine and if you drink as much as I was, it's caffeine by the truckload.
I stopped immediately.
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2 weeks later I was back in a pair of jeans. (Anyone who suffers IBS will know what a triumph this is.)
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Since then I've put together strategies to overcome common issues that coeliacs face (many of us also have IBS).
And it's made my world a whole lot better!
I'd love to meet you!
I’d love to meet you and hear about your journey, whether it’s at an event such as the FreeFrom Food Festival, Allergy & FreeFrom Show or simply online.
I love hearing stories from people. When you're navigating a gluten-free lifestyle, whether due to coeliac disease or other reasons, it's truly inspiring to learn about how you're coping.
I can't wait to share tips, support, and encouragement with you. Together, we'll explore ways to make thriving without gluten a joyful journey.
Join me on this adventure, and let’s make your gluten-free life fabulous!
