The exact same month that DJ Aimee Vivian bagged her dream job with Capital FM radio in London in 2015, she was recognized with coeliac illness – an auto-immune situation affecting the intestine. Each the prognosis and the job had taken a few years to attain, and every would mark the beginning of life-changing journeys for her.
She says, “I used to be poorly for a very long time, struggling a lot of completely different signs, together with fatigue, bloating and tummy ache. Getting the prognosis as I began my dream job was each a aid and a fear.”
Whereas it was nice to lastly have solutions, Aimee, now 31, was anxious about what her situation (the place gluten in meals causes the physique to assault the liner of the intestine) would imply for her life and profession.
“As somebody who was gluten-intolerant, I knew I needed to change my way of life and go gluten free. I went to the grocery store with my mum and acquired sufficient gluten-free meals to fill a kitchen cabinet.
I didn’t cook dinner a lot then, so Mum made gluten-free variations of my favorite meals, like carbonara or lasagne, and even rooster and chips. It was daunting, however I realised I needed to get organised round my meals and never be embarrassed to ask questions consuming out.”
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Aimee started cooking extra, beginning with gluten-free pasta recipes, as she discovered her ft within the kitchen. “I quickly discovered I may nonetheless have a Sunday fry-up with bacon, eggs and gluten-free sausages and bread. I slowly turned assured in what I may eat.”
Fortunately for Aimee, being on air proved to be a balm in additional methods than one. “As quickly as I went into that studio, it was like an off change between my mind and intestine,” she says.
Then, in early 2021, whereas making her lunch on shift, Capital Dance DJ Charlie Powell, 28, got here into the kitchen. “She noticed a few of my gluten-free meals and we bought speaking. It seems, she’s a coeliac sufferer, too. It was a aid to seek out somebody at work who totally understood my illness.” The pair quickly grew shut.
“Our jobs are fairly social, and at any time when we had a piece occasion, we had been those who couldn’t eat. Having a pal there dealing with the identical restrictions as me was a consolation. We teamed up at work events to order in gluten-free meals from eating places, and regarded out for one another on the pub. It was a unconscious factor, checking the menus and sharing with one another what may work for each of us. We did it with out even realising.”
The pair’s gluten-free journey stretched into meals out collectively in new eating places, and past London too, with the pair usually working collectively at music festivals across the nation. “I’d take gluten-free snacks in my bag and pack additional for Charlie, simply in case, or we’d discover one another and swap tips on which meals vans had been gluten free.”
Even with the help of her household and Charlie, the sickness does really feel restrictive at instances. Aimee says, “It may be irritating when individuals are off making an attempt all types of fantastic issues at meals markets, or testing thrilling new eating places on the town with out fear. Nonetheless, I’m fortunate to have Charlie in my life. At any time when both of us discover new locations to eat with nice gluten-free choices, we textual content one another and share it. It makes my world really feel that bit larger.”
Now, Aimee, who lives in Milton Keynes along with her fiancé Steve, fortunately makes her personal lunch and packs snacks for her radio shifts. “I normally quick from the night to mid-morning, then have a dairy-free probiotic and cereal bar. Then for lunch, I’ve a gluten-free wrap with halloumi, peppers and spinach, plus strawberries and grapes for snacks.” Charlie and Aimee usually swap suggestions for coeliac-friendly meals merchandise available on the market, too. She says, “Sharing gluten-free concepts has turn out to be a kind of shorthand for us.
“Issues have improved massively in recent times by way of choices for individuals who are gluten-intolerant, however there’s nonetheless a lack of knowledge total, to not point out the monetary penalty for gluten-free meals. Common fusilli pasta prices 85p within the grocery store, however gluten-free variations are £2. It could really feel like a punishment.”
Even after doing all the correct issues, this continual sickness can flare up with out warning. Aimee says, “The opposite week, I felt so gross, bloated, and sore. I knew Charlie was working, so I went as much as her ground whereas my songs had been enjoying and easily mentioned, ‘I really feel so garbage.’ She gave me a cuddle and mentioned, ‘I get it.’ I work with numerous males and don’t need to be telling them my tummy hurts. Having a pal like Charlie is supportive in probably the most important manner. It’s formidable to must be gluten-free for all times, however you must get on with it. You adapt, you survive, and when you’re fortunate, you’ll have folks round who will provide help to by way of it.”
Make Aimee’s gluten-free salmon pasta.
This function initially appeared in Good Meals Journal, January 2023.
