BFree Foodie | Sam Smith

This June, we spotlight Sam Smith, who shares her experiences living with autoimmune conditions and their impact on daily life @simply.sweet.enough

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🟢 Name & Age –

Sam Smith, 34

🟢 City –

Midlands, UK

🟢 Diagnosis –

Type one diabetic of 22 years and silent coeliac of 6 months. After almost 18 years of raised blood levels and 4 inconclusive endoscopies, diagnosed coeliac October 2023 .

🟢 Diagnosis Backstory-

I was diagnosed with type one diabetes during my first year at high school. I had lost a lot of weight and was constantly thirsty. The day of my diagnosis I begged my mum to just take me home so I could sleep but thankfully she took me to the doctors who said I needed to go straight to hospital. We were later told if I had gone to sleep that day, it’s likely I wouldn’t have woken up.

Part of diabetes management involves screening for coeliac disease. They are both autoimmune diseases which means that those with type one diabetes are more susceptible to contracting coeliac too. I have never had any symptoms of coeliac disease at all. My blood tests were raised and I under went 4 inconclusive endoscopies before the final one in October 2023 which confirmed I did in fact have the disease.

It has been a struggle for me to adapt to a gluten free diet. I stick to whole foods at home but eating out has been a real struggle. Diabetes and coeliac means I have to concentrate on my food choices a lot more than one would ever expect and have to be really careful with gluten free products which can still be packed with sugar.

🟢 Bio –

I am a huge foodie! My passion in life is definitely spreading awareness around healthy living and a happy lifestyle. Food really is medicine and we all know what makes us feel good vs what makes us feel more sluggish.

I was lucky enough to reach the final 5 in the Fortnum & Mason Platinum Pudding competition in 2022 to find a dessert to mark the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations. Meeting celebrity chefs and being invited to cook in the Fortnum’s kitchen with some of the best in the industry was an absolute dream come true.

Since the competition I have been sharing my own experiences of living with autoimmune conditions and just how much affect they really do have on your every day life.

🟢 Fav Bfree product –

High Protein Wraps

🟢 Go-to recipe –

I love a mixed grill or steak!

🟢 Fav GF restaurant –

Miller & Carter have always been great for me!

🟢 Best life tip –

‘There is more to living that merely being alive’ – make the most of it and go grab every opportunity!

 

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Check out Sam Smiths’ instagram @simply.sweet.enough