Latest news with #RebeccaAdlington
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Rebecca Adlington: After my miscarriages, I was diagnosed with coeliac disease. It's changed everything
Rebecca Adlington, 36, lives in Cheshire with her husband and two children. In October 2024, she was diagnosed with coeliac disease after suffering with debilitating symptoms including stomach pain, extreme fatigue, and mouth ulcers for over two years. Initially, Rebecca put the pain down to hormonal changes following multiple pregnancies however, after suffering two miscarriages, her doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause of her stomach pain and sent her for testing, one of which was for coeliac disease. Rebecca says the diagnosis has been life-changing. The former Olympian talks us through her daily routine and what she eats – and how this has changed since her diagnosis. Wake up Each morning, the alarm rings at 7am and chaos descends on our household as my husband Andy and I attempt to get the kids (Summer, 10, and Albie, 4) ready for school and out the door by 8.30am. My first priority is to make our lunch boxes and prepare a breakfast I can eat on the go. My go-to used to be the instant porridge pots which I absolutely loved, however they're sadly off the table for me as gluten-free versions aren't readily available. I didn't actually realise how many foods contain gluten. After 35 years of freely eating them, it's been difficult to adapt to my food shop taking double the amount of time as I comb the aisles, searching for the Crossed Grain Trademark which means a product is safe for those with coeliac disease. Now, I tend to make a protein shake for breakfast with frozen berries, cashew milk, and protein powder (a variation that doesn't include oat flour). As a former swimmer, I've always prioritised protein in my diet and that hasn't changed. We're all out the door by 8.30, the children are dropped off at school and pre-school for 8.45, and I then set off to my full-time job at my company 'Swim!', protein shake in hand. My company helps children across the country learn to swim and a typical day for me includes lots of calls and meetings, as well as visiting new swimming venues and some of the schools we work with. Morning snack Before my diagnosis, I used to love snacking on protein bars. However, I find most gluten-free protein bars to be quite claggy. They mould into one in your mouth! It's been really difficult to find healthy and satiating snacks which I still enjoy as most gluten-free protein bars are nut-based and high in calories. There's an amazing gluten-free community on Instagram and they've been my saviour when it comes to gluten-free snack recipes. My current favourite is date and yogurt clusters. If I'm feeling peckish before lunch, I'll eat one or two of these, a rice cake with some nut butter, or a banana. I've got a major sweet tooth and have discovered (to my dismay) that many chocolate bars and sweets contain gluten, specifically barley. This has been devastating! I'm eternally concerned about cross-contamination (I call it 'getting glutened') so I try to make most of my food from scratch. Lunchtime At the moment, I'm in the bad habit of eating lunch at my desk whilst continuing to work. Sandwiches used to be my go-to however they're obviously off the table now. Whenever I ate bread (especially the pre-packaged loaves) I'd feel unwell and have horrific stomach pains, so I'd actually cut it out before I was diagnosed with coeliac disease but, of course, continued to feel horrific as gluten still featured heavily in my diet. Now, I prepare a salad for lunch most days. Again, focusing heavily on the protein, including some chicken or boiled eggs. On the more hectic days when I don't have time to prepare lunch, I sometimes brave a supermarket gluten-free salad or, if they don't look appealing, a Huel meal replacement drink. At the weekend, my family and I love to keep active and explore. On a recent day out, we stopped at a pizza place for lunch and I was delighted to see gluten-free options on the menu. It meant I could enjoy a satisfying doughy pizza knowing it wouldn't be followed by days of fatigue, vomiting and nausea. However, eating out is one of the biggest challenges and I'm still not used to it. As I don't live in a big city centre, there are just a few restaurants where I live and I only feel comfortable eating in one or two of them. On restaurant menus, foods are marked vegetarian or vegan but they're rarely flagged as being gluten-free. Even if they are, there's the perpetual fear of 'getting glutened' – especially as some workers won't know that food cooked in the same fryer or oven as gluten could still cause major problems for people with coeliac disease. I recently attended an event where I was served a lovely lamb and chicken shish kebab skewer with salad. They knew I had coeliac disease and there was nothing on my plate which contained gluten and yet I still had sharp, stabbing stomach pains and was vomiting afterwards. All the other plates had a pitta bread on so my theory is that the servers may have originally put one on my plate, and then taken it off when they realised my meal was supposed to be gluten-free. Those tiny leftover crumbs may have caused me to 'get glutened'. It's scary that something so small can have such an adverse effect. In more severe cases of cross-contamination, I've spent the next five days suffering from intense stomach pains, exhaustion, and vomiting. Dinner Andy and I collect the kids from school and it's then a case of getting them to swimming lessons, Brownies, and all of their other activities before we head home for the evening. The kids eat at 5pm and their meals sometimes include gluten, however it's easier if we all eat the same food so I focus on including ingredients that are naturally gluten-free such as rice, potatoes, and veg, rather than us all eating separately. Even so, I need to have my own separate kitchen utensils and equipment including a toaster, bread bin, knives, and butter. I try to make our evening meals healthy, hearty, and filling, and Andy and I tend to eat around 6.30pm after finishing our work for the day. He's happy eating gluten-free food which makes things easier. One of my favourite meals to make is chicken satay with Tenderstem broccoli and rice. Jacket potatoes are another reliable favourite. When we do occasionally eat out, my favourite restaurants for reliable gluten-free food are Wagamama and Pizza Express. Recently it was my birthday and I was absolutely craving a roast dinner. It's difficult to prepare gluten-free as the Yorkshire puddings are not safe for those with coeliac disease, the gravy tends to contain flour, and with everything mixed on the plate, cross-contamination is a big risk. However, about 25 minutes from where I live, we found a pub which serves a gluten-free Sunday roast. I almost cried! There was no flour in the gravy and they had gluten-free Yorkies which are the rarest of the rare. It was just beautiful. Evening snack Having two miscarriages in August 2022 and October 2023 took a massive toll on my mental and physical health. I stopped consistently exercising (besides the odd bike ride or dog walk), had zero motivation and just fell out of love with my body as I tried to grieve and process our loss. I know that there is a link between coeliac disease and miscarriages. However, as I was only tested after they happened, the doctors couldn't say for sure whether they were linked. I also have PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] which of course is also linked to fertility so it's impossible to know whether my coeliac disease was a major factor. After I cut out gluten in October, I actually wanted to workout again. Following my diagnosis, I finally had enough energy and motivation to get back in the gym and I've really enjoyed rediscovering my love for exercise. In fact, I've got a whole routine now – Pilates class on Wednesday evening, weights on Thursday, and a run or swim on Friday. A reformer Pilates centre has just opened up in my village and I'm excited to give that a try. Since my diagnosis, I've had more energy, feel so much healthier and happier, and haven't had a single mouth ulcer. It's been a transformative shift. After my evening exercise, Andy and I put the kids to bed – Albie at 7.15 and then Summer at 8pm. Then, I'll have a final evening snack (my current obsession being my yogurt dates!) and we'll watch TV before heading to bed. Bedtime I'm not a big drinker so certainly don't grieve the fact I can no longer drink gluten-heavy beer! I'll sometimes enjoy a hot drink before bed. In my most recent cross-contamination incident, I opted for an artisanal hot chocolate which actually contained melted chocolate that contained barley and I very quickly regretted my choice! Most shop-bought hot chocolates are fine, though, so if I ever need to feed my sweet tooth I may occasionally opt for a warming mug before going to sleep. Since my diagnosis, life has undoubtedly changed for the better and, rather than being exhausted 24/7, I finally feel like a normal 36-year-old. Andy and I nod off around 10pm and I find I actually sleep less now as I'm not fatigued all the time. I've always valued my sleep but it's great to get into bed and not instantly pass out when my head hits the pillow and to wake up feeling well-rested and refreshed. As told to Ella Nunn The Coeliac Awareness Month campaign looks at raising awareness of coeliac disease by sharing real stories and empowering those affected by it to recognise the symptoms, complete the online self-assessment, and take the first step on the road to recovery.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Rebecca Adlington says public called her ‘too fat' and ‘ugly' while competing in Olympics aged 19
Former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has opened up about dealing with hurtful comments about her weight and appearance while competing for Team GB, aged 19. The four-time Olympic gold medalist and BBC pundit, who made her debut at the 2008 Beijing Games and won the 400 and 800 metres freestyle, has said in a new interview that she 'blocked everyone out' while dealing with public criticism of her body. 'I had won an Olympic medal – but the media was saying I was too fat. That I wasn't in shape. I kept thinking: What am I too fat for? Yes, I've got big shoulders, but they're my power,' she told the i. She added: 'I was 19 and people were openly saying how ugly I was. I was still a baby. It was incredibly difficult to navigate because I knew I wasn't attractive. I've never considered myself one of the pretty girls. But I didn't realise you had to be stunning to be an Olympic athlete. 'For me, it was very normal to have a tall body frame and big shoulders. Swimming is a very exposing sport; you are in a swimsuit. But people in swimming clubs do not look at one another as fat or thin. I look at people and think they're in shape.' Adlington said that she felt the 'most sorry' for her parents, because they would see the hateful messages 'about their little girl'. To cope, the athlete kept a tight-knit circle around her and 'blocked everyone else out'. 'I don't know how I got through it. I don't think I handled it the best way,' she said. Adlington, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, retired from competitive swimming aged 23, and now works as a well-known face in BBC Olympic commentary and runs Swim!, a school that teaches children to swim. She shares a son, Albie, with her husband Andy Parsons. She also has a daughter, Summer, from her first marriage to swimmer and personal trainer Harry Needs. Adlington has recently been using her platform to raise awareness of coeliac disease, which she was diagnosed with after experiencing recurring miscarriages. Coeliac disease is a condition where the immune system attacks a person's tissues when they consume gluten, a protein naturally found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye, which can damage the small intestine. 'Looking back, I've had symptoms for a couple of years, but I was not aware that the disease was linked to fertility and miscarriage,' Adlington said in the same interview. She said that doctors initially thought she had gastroenteritis – an inflammation of the stomach and intestines – but doctors tested her for coeliac disease after he recurring miscarriages. 'I think my symptoms worsened with my second pregnancy with my son Albie,' she said, adding: 'I put the fatigue down to my hormones changing so much with getting pregnant. I would have a painful stomach and bloating.' In March, Adlington partnered with the charity Coeliac UK and handed a petition to the UK government to highlight the importance of protecting access to gluten-free prescriptions for people with the disease.
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
I've just been diagnosed with the same disease as 1 in 100 people – but I've never felt lonelier
I returned from a blissful holiday a couple of months ago to several missed calls from my doctor and a message to call my surgery urgently. 'We've had the results back from your latest blood tests, and it appears you have coeliac disease,' my GP told me, as I returned to reality with a huge bump. He was almost gleeful that he had finally figured out the core reason for the fatigue and other bizarre symptoms which had been plaguing me for months. As I have two friends with the condition, I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about coeliac disease. According to charity Coeliac UK, 1 in 100 people are estimated to have it, albeit more than a third of those are thought to be undiagnosed. Team GB Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington also recently spoke out about her diagnosis. But as a whirlwind of medical testing, scans and adjusting to a life-long restrictive diet followed, I started to feel more and more alone. Coeliac disease is where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten – which is present in wheat, barley and rye – and prevents normal digestion and absorption of food. There are dozens of symptoms, including fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, anaemia and neurological issues like 'brain fog'. And if the condition is not managed, it can cause serious health complications, including malabsorption, osteoporosis, infertility and even certain types of cancer. There is no medication, and the only treatment for coeliac disease is adhering to a strictly gluten-free diet and avoiding cross-contamination with foods which contain gluten. One of the biggest misconceptions about the disease is that 'it's just a food allergy', but it actually leads to long-term damage to the gut. That's why it's crucial for sufferers to avoid eating even a crumb of gluten. But, if managed correctly, sufferers can lead a healthy, symptom-free life. In recent weeks, when revealing my diagnosis out of both choice and necessity, I received comments such as: 'So can't you have a tiny bit of gluten occasionally?', 'Can you just try one?' and shockingly, even: 'If I was diagnosed with that, I don't think my life would be worth living anymore.' This is a medical condition – not a lifestyle choice. People's lack of understanding, combined with a struggle to find restaurants which will cater properly for gluten-free diets, left me feeling increasingly isolated. Until my diagnosis, I didn't realise gluten-free products aren't truly safe unless they have been prepared and cooked in a contamination-free environment. For example, they can't be fried in oil also used to cook gluten-containing items. I'm a very social person and having to check restaurant menus whenever I'm invited anywhere, insisting on specific catering for hen parties, weddings and events over the summer, and requesting my partner to have a kitchen free from gluten has left me feeling like a burden and takes up a lot of energy. Facing supermarkets remains my biggest personal challenge, where I feel self-conscious about having to check the label of almost everything I pick up, and I am always horrified at the increased cost of my shop when I reach the checkout. It's not always as bad as I make out. I will soon adapt to the life changes, and I have an amazing support network in my family, friends and partner. There are definitely more options available than a decade or 20 years ago, with gluten-free bread and pasta much improved – and I've managed to find some amazing communities online which offer support, advice, and healthy recipe options. But following my diagnosis, I was shocked to discover that prescriptions for gluten-free staple foods, such as bread and flour, are only available depending on where in the country you live. Research by Coeliac UK last year found people with the condition are paying up to 35 per cent more for their weekly food shop, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis. I'm in a relatively privileged position when it comes to managing my health, as I can afford the more expensive free-from products, and I live in London, where there is a much wider range of options for restaurants and supermarkets than in other smaller towns. But for many, that's not the case. And even those who have access to free prescriptions may not benefit if gluten-free food is not available on prescription in their area. This may lead to people eating food which contains gluten for cost reasons, leaving them open to short- and long-term health problems, and adding further pressure to an already-overstretched NHS. Earlier this year, a petition signed by 22,000 people was brought to Downing Street calling for an end to the postcode lottery on gluten-free prescriptions. And to mark Coeliac Awareness Month this May, Coeliac UK is encouraging people to take its online self-assessment to check their symptoms and spread knowledge about the disease. The more people who are correctly diagnosed means those with coeliac disease are more likely to be recognised and catered for, and fewer of us are likely to feel alone.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Rebecca Adlington says miscarriage ordeal resulted in life-changing diagnosis
Former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has opened up about the moment she got a "life changing" diagnosis for an autoimmune condition that affects one in 10 people Olympic swimming star Rebecca Adlington wishes she had asked her doctors to test her for coeliac disease sooner. But her story, which she is sharing this Coeliac Awareness Month, is by no means unusual. With just 36% of people with coeliac disease medically diagnosed in the UK, an estimated 500,000 people will be living with unexplained and often debilitating symptoms. It was only in October last year, aged 35, Rebecca was finally diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune condition that causes the body to react to gluten in the diet. The four-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer describes it as 'life changing', after years of upset. "As I have had multiple pregnancies, I put a lot of symptoms down to hormonal changes,' she explains. 'I suffered with stomach pain, fatigue, mouth ulcers, bloating, and constantly felt run down or ill. The tiredness affected both my personal and professional life as I didn't feel as productive or have enough energy like other people. 'Meanwhile, the mouth ulcers affected my diet as I struggled to eat sometimes as they were so painful and so many. The stomach pain was persistent. I also experienced two miscarriages and whilst my doctor couldn't pinpoint the cause, this and my stomach pain ultimately led to me being tested for coeliac disease and subsequently diagnosed.' She adds: 'If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms or issues like I had, just ask the doctor for a test. I never even thought I might have coeliac disease but I wish I had asked my doctors to test me sooner.' For this year's Coeliac Awareness Month, running throughout May, Coeliac UK is urging the public to ask their GP: 'Is it coeliac disease?' and take the charity's free online self-assessment tool to calculate their risk. People can check if they are experiencing common symptoms and, if so, it is recommended they ask for testing for the condition. But it's important to not remove gluten from your diet until you have a blood test – and possibly a biopsy – to confirm it, as this risks a potential false negative result. Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition affecting one in 100 people in the UK – yet it remains hard to diagnose. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their body attacks its own tissues, causing damage to the gut and leading to serious health complications if left untreated. The only treatment is a lifelong, strict, gluten-free diet. Symptoms of coeliac disease can be recurrent, persistent or unexplained. They may include, but are not limited to, fatigue, stomach pain, anaemia, and neurological issues, such as loss of balance, brain fog and neuropathy – numbness and tingling in the body. What foods contain gluten? Foodstuffs such as flour, bread, pasta, cereals, cakes and biscuits contain gluten. But it can also be found in miniscule amounts in stock cubes, soy sauce, gravy and chocolate. A tiny amount of gluten can cause symptoms, so it's vital that coeliac sufferers avoid cross-contamination. 'Sources of contamination include breadcrumbs in toasters and on bread boards, utensils used for spreading and spooning jam and butter, and from cooking oil and water,' says Coeliac UK. Now mum-of-two Rebecca is on a strict gluten-free diet, she has seen vast improvements in her health and wellbeing. 'Since removing gluten, I feel significantly better. My mood, my energy – everything is better. I am not in pain any more. I am able to exercise more as I feel better. 'To achieve a balanced diet, I eat things that naturally don't have gluten, like rice and potatoes, but also rely on gluten-free substitutes for items like bread and flour, but these are so much more expensive. Shopping takes longer as you have to examine every label and ingredient to make sure it doesn't contain gluten. I had lots of people recommend Coeliac UK to me when I announced my diagnosis on social media. I found their support and information so helpful when adjusting to living on a strict gluten-free diet.' Hilary Croft, Coeliac UK CEO, says: 'For those battling with unexplained symptoms, a coeliac disease diagnosis can be life changing. Our campaign aims to increase awareness of coeliac disease and we aim to reach the estimated half a million people living with the symptoms of undiagnosed coeliac disease to help guide them on the road to recovery. At Coeliac UK, we're here to help with advice and information for anyone who suspects they might have coeliac disease as well as those looking for ongoing support.' The Coeliac Awareness Month campaign looks at raising awareness of coeliac disease by sharing real stories and empowering those affected by it to recognise symptoms, complete its online self-assessment, and take the first step on the road to recovery. What is coeliac disease? Caused by a reaction to gluten in the body, coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition – not an allergy or intolerance. When sufferers eat gluten – a protein found in the grains wheat, barley and rye – the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues in the gut, damaging the lining and making it harder for the body to absorb nutrients. This can lead to chronic inflammation, discomfort and long-term gut damage. Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach ache, bloating, indigestion, constipation, wind and vomiting. Some people will also experience tiredness, weight loss, rashes, infertility and speech issues, as well as problems with their balance. Bizarrely, some people don't get any symptoms, but still suffer damage to their guts. Because symptoms are so diverse, diagnosis can be difficult and one in four coeliacs are initially diagnosed with IBS. The average length of time to be diagnosed from the onset of symptoms is 13 years, commonly aged between 40 and 60. There is no cure but it can be managed by permanently removing gluten from the diet, clearing symptoms within a couple of months although it can take up to five years for the gut to heal. TV presenter Jameela Jamil and Men Behaving Badly's Caroline Quentin have spoken about living with the condition.
South Wales Argus
13-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Thousands in Wales missing out on 'life-changing' diagnosis
The charity has revealed that only 36 per cent of people with coeliac disease in Wales have been medically diagnosed, leaving an estimated 20,000 individuals experiencing unexplained and often debilitating symptoms. Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition affecting one in 100 people in the UK. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their body attacks its own tissues, causing damage to the gut and leading to serious health complications if left untreated. The only treatment is a lifelong, strict, gluten-free diet. Symptoms of coeliac disease can be recurrent, persistent, or unexplained. They may include fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, anaemia, and neurological issues. Rebecca Adlington, OBE, a four-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer, was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2024 after experiencing a variety of debilitating symptoms. She said: "As I have had multiple pregnancies, I put a lot of symptoms down to hormonal changes. "I suffered with stomach pain, fatigue, mouth ulcers, bloating, and constantly felt run down or ill. "The tiredness affected both my personal and professional life as I didn't feel as productive or have enough energy like other people. "Meanwhile, the mouth ulcers affected my diet as I struggled to eat sometimes as they were so painful and so many." Ms Adlington was diagnosed in early October 2024, aged 35, which she describes as "life-changing". She said: "Since removing gluten, I feel significantly better. "My mood, my energy - everything is better. "I am not in pain anymore. "I am able to exercise more as I feel better." Hilary Croft, Coeliac UK CEO, said: "For those battling with unexplained symptoms, a coeliac disease diagnosis can be life-changing. "Our campaign aims to increase awareness of coeliac disease and we want to reach the estimated half a million people in the UK living with the symptoms of undiagnosed coeliac disease to help guide them on the road to recovery."
