<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Kevin Haney writes:

>This past week, after having an upper endoscopy done to check for a
>possible ulcer (to explain my low iron levels), the doctor did a biopsy
>of my intestine, and found that I had severe villous atrophy, and
>diagnosed it as celiac's disease.

Congrats to the doctor for what appears to be a quick diagnosis.

>where do I start?  Do I send away to anyone and everyone for lists of
>products?  Is there a list of commercial products you can and cannot >have

Most of us start by joining one or more of the associations.  CSA is the
largest in the US.  Most, or all of them, have starting booklets listing
things to avoid.  See logs for addresses.  Most of us focus on the
igredients that we must avoid.  We read the labels in the store.  When we
get home we read the labels again.  I gave away all the foodstuffs in my
kitchen that contained gluten.

>Should I buy a bread machine?

Probably.  See logs for discussion.

>Breakfast is no problem, as I usually have Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies,

Wrong.  Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies both have malt flavoring.  Malt is
from barley.  The four major grains you have to avoid are: wheat, rye,
barley, and oats.  Check the health food stores for variants that don't have
the malt.

>lunchmeat

usually has chemicals from wheat or barley in it.

>and find a different noodle than what I eat now (rice noodles?).

Health food stores have both rice and corn pastas.  Rice itself is easy to cook.

>Maybe I'll finally gain some weight?

Yes.  If you are 100% gluten-free you will have all the same problems
keeping your weight down that non-celiacs have.  Note, however, that *full*
recovery of the villi could take two years.