Being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease during eating disorder recovery

Research shows a link between coeliac disease and eating disorders. In this blog, Grace shares how she navigated adjusting to a gluten free life while in eating disorder recovery.

In 2022 I was hospitalised and diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. At the time I was only 14 years old, and little did I know I’d still be going through recovery today.

I wish people understood the damage that being extremely malnourished and going through the hospital system can have on an individual’s life – it can take years to heal from. At the time of my admission, I was suffering from severe stomach aches and had been for all my life, as well as other painful symptoms.

During my time spent at the hospital, I raised my concerns about my stomach pain many times, but many medical professionals brushed it off as a symptom of Anorexia recovery. Eventually, with larger amounts of adequate nutrition and rest I became an outpatient.  

Throughout the next year, I was doing so much better and going through a lot of self-development, but I was still unfortunately experiencing stomach aches frequently. Eventually, this led my amazing paediatrician to test for an autoimmune disease called Coeliac Disease.

With genuine surprise, my blood test results came back with a strong positive. Being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease has been one of the biggest learning curves not just for me, but also my family. I also feel as though I was not given much information or guidance at that time of my Coeliac diagnosis.  

This led to a lot of trial-and-error testing new gluten free foods, leading to another hospitalisation to the eating disorder ward in 2024.

It was so difficult to find a balance between eating gluten free and not eating less than I was before finding out I had Coeliac Disease.

I moved forward from this by seeking out my own dietitian who could help me with both recovery and my Coeliac diagnosis – I would recommend having a health professional who specialises in Coeliac Disease as well as eating disorders.  

I’ve also found exploring new GF cafes and trying to make gluten free living fun really helpful! Use it to expand on recovery instead of a way to stay stagnate.  

Thankfully now, through many ups and downs, I’ve found what works for my body and I’m living happily gluten free with no painful symptoms.  

The gluten free lifestyle has brought upon some challenges such as having to read food labels, hearing other people say “oh, but you’re gluten free to be trendy” or feeling my mental capacity is at its max due to constantly thinking about cross-contamination.

Sometimes, it does make it hard for me to move forward in recovery when I medically cannot eat specific foods. However, it has also led me to start my GF Instagram account called Gluteen_grace, which has gifted me a sense of community and a place to hopefully inspire others.

My Coeliac Diagnosis has introduced me to a whole new population group of people that share something in common and we can all confide in relating to each other. Opening up and sharing my story has really helped me to get to a happier and healthier place myself.  

My aim with sharing my story is to showcase how there can be other health conditions that can contribute to Anorexia Nervosa. It is so important that healthcare professionals listen to their patients and don’t automatically stigmatise them due to having an eating disorder. 

If you’re in a similar situation to me or you know a loved one going through a similar experience with Coeliac Disease or an eating disorder, I would advise you to be honest and open with the people around you, so you feel supported and less alone.

It will get easier and one day you will look back and realise how far you’ve come! We are all on our journeys and everybody needs different amounts of energy to function, grow and thrive. Believe in yourself during recovery and you will bloom.  

About the author

My name is Grace and I’m a 17-year-old girl passionate about inspiring other young people to take care and nourish their body as I’ve seen the impacts that an eating disorder can have, both physically and mentally in my own life. I also want to show people within the Coeliac Disease community that it’s possible to travel, live your best life and enjoy great food, despite having to follow a strict gluten free diet for medical reasons. Also, to show people that life is so much bigger than recovery and you can achieve so much in life. 

Get support

If you’re struggling with coeliac disease and disordered eating or an eating disorder, reach out for help from professionals that understand eating disorders.

• Confidential and free counselling – Call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEDT).
• Find an eating disorder professional – search Butterfly’s National Referral Database to find eating disorder practitioners closest to you.