So many foods you pick up in the supermarket, even things that would have just a couple of ingredients if you made them yourself, have added wheat or barley. Sure, they can say it's for flavour and consistency, but the original recipes these things are based on don't call for these ingredients at all.

Honestly, I'm in a huff. I glutened myself for the first time since my diagnosis last night. My girlfriend is Greek, and I picked up some dolmades for us. If you haven't come across them, they're vine leaves (or cabbage if you can't find vine leaves) stuffed with seasoned rice. They're delicious, and I'd highly recommend them!

My girlfriend has made these before, and any recipe you search for is safe for coeliacs. Rice and greens, what could go wrong?

Well, I skimmed the label, but not well enough. After we ate, my girlfriend wanted to check the seasoning and took the package out of the rubbish. She was devastated to inform me that they contained wheat starch. Presumably this kept the rice together or something.

But why!? Traditional recipes don't call for flour. It doesn't add anything. Why is adding known allergens or risky ingredients to recipes that don't call for them acceptable?

Well, as you can imagine, my assumption cost me. I slept okay last night, but my bowels have been reminding me of my mistake since this morning. Stabbing stomach pains, headaches, tiredness, brain fog... All of the symptoms I went to the doctor for originally and that had been slowly fading away.

Honestly though, the mental impact is the worst. Dreading the gastrointestinal effects, both immediate and long term. The shame of knowing I did this to myself for not being vigilant enough. Seeing the concern in my girlfriend's eyes and her sadness knowing she was powerless to change the trajectory of the meteor approaching my small intestine.

Sigh.. Rant over...

Anyone have any tips for recovery?