Glutened

[Mia1057]

My stepson arrived yesterday and wanted to cook and today I have been glutened. My husband doesn't want me to make too much fuss but I really feel bad and don't want it to happen again. Any suggestions. I suspect that my pasta and the sauce were stirred with the same spoon as the non GF pasta or the veg and salad were cut on their bread board.

[Liana]

We have family members in and out of our house all the time. When they arrive for the first time, I simply explain how serious a problem it is for me to be exposed to gluten. The first time they're in the kitchen, I teach them how to safely prepare food for everyone, including me. Most people are extremely respectful of my needs. It's very simple really ... no emotion ... just these are the facts and these are the kitchen rules as a result. Those that don't get it are given supportive tasks that don't involve preparing food that I might eat ... they set the table, clear away, do the dishes, chop the vegetables etc.

[katiespicer]

Hi Mia, the very first time I went to my meet my mother in law she glutened me and I was mortified at the thought of telling her and upsetting her. I didn't mention it that time but next time I saw her I did like Liana and just explained about cross contamination etc, not in relation to how she cooked but she picked it up and has never glutened me since. So maybe remove him from the situation and just explain to him without blame how to prepare food for you and how ill it makes you etc.

[Mia1057]

It's obviously a bigger problem than I thought because I am getting grief from my husband because the cramps, brain fog, diarrhoea and exhaustion mean I have been in my bed rather than just getting through it so my stepson doesn't feel uncomfortable.

[Janey39]

I understand how you feel. My step mum does not understand and am terrified of her cooking her question to me on saying no to an apple crumble was why what the hell is in that then! My dad is also just as bad there is pasta in the cupboard or do you want a sandwich. I just take my own stuff and refuse to eat their food and prefer to cook myself something. I have been glutened by a friend who knows and gave me cake her response was it only as a little flour in it, so again alarm bells when invited.

As for your husband that it totally unacceptable behaviour, maybe slip some laxatives in his dinner and see how he likes it. Hope you feel better soon and however uncomfortable it make you feel you must explain this to your stepson so that it doesnt happen again.

[Apricot]

How old is the boy??

I would try a different tactic...as step Mums are by reputation always "Wicked" in the traditional sense. I speak as a former Step Mum here...

If he is old enough..get him directly involved with the food preparation..show him how to do things safely....make a particular effort to teach him how (in new sense) wicked a step Mum can be....

Hope you are feeling better.

Janet & Smokie the kitty

[marywales]

my stepson and the rest of my family are all clued up; anyone new in the kitchen is shown the non GF utensils and board and asked politely to wash thoroughly after use unless they wish to see me as I was 4 years ago. that works...your life and health are in their hands, so far no magic pill, would you force feed a diabetic sugar?