Celiacs and Gluten free foods.

[paddyandlin]

I have had a couple of people email me about gluten free food so please see the below info.

Paddy

Well, gluten is hidden in MANY foods. The obvious is wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten can be found in certain alcohols (they way they are processed), soy sauce, condiments, marinades, vinegars (Celiacs can only use Apple Cider Vinegar), artificial colors, artificial flavors, additives (like thickeners for soups or binding agents in medicines), etc. Also, gluten can be found in foods that would normally be gluten-free, but the way they are "processed" makes them contain gluten. For example, some manufacturers use "flour" on the assembly line to give shredded cheese a light coating to hinder them from sticking. Celiacs that are VERY sensitive to gluten as have to be careful for cross-contamination....making it hard to eat out and buy foods without first consulting with the company (or just buy from a gluten-free manufacture).

I am learning how to make good, yummy dishes that are gluten-free. I make my own bread with gluten-free bread mixes. I buy gluten-free noodles, baking ingredients, bread mixes, pancake/muffin mixes, etc. It is expensive, but worth it so I can have something to eat that doesn't involve a long cooking time. I also eat the following:

-eggs

-dairy (milk, butter, GF cheese)

-meats of all kinds (but only non-processed meats...they can't have any other ingredients in them)

-GF home-made soup

-fruits/veggies (well...I have to keep my veggies consistent b/c on coumadin)

-potatoes

-potato based products like hash browns (with no fillers or artificial crap)

-nuts / seeds

-rice and products made from rice flour

-Chili (if you choose the right ingredients, it can naturally be GF!! Just watch out for chili beans b/c they contain gluten in the syrup...use just kidney beans)

-Plain yogurt (containing no sugars...just plain. It contains lots of live bacteria that are good for your digestive system)

I also go to natural foods stores or co-ops and shop online. I buy the following Gluten-Free items: mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, salad dressings, baking mixes, local honey, cereals, vanilla extract, noodles, organic salsa (using cider vinegar instead), etc. I like going to these types of stores anyways because I only buy "natural" household goods such as soap, detergents, cleaners, makeup, lotions, etc. I feel so good not having loads of chemicals in my house or on my body.

Remember – when in doubt, just check with the manufacturer. I ask a lot of questions by just going on the company’s website and sending them an email. Companies have always gotten back to me within a few days.

Here are some good websites:

glutenfree.com/

celiac.com/

panix.com/~donwiss/

glutenfreemall.com/

gfkitchen.server101.com/

celiac.org/

csaceliacs.org/

enabling.org/ia/celiac/

celiaccenter.org/

celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_p... (gluten free medicines)

healthtouch.com/bin/EConten...

vegsoc.org/info/gluten.html

netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fa...

[Hidden]

thanks for the links. I was tested last week for celiac antibodies and should know in a week or so if I have this. One correction though- not sure about over in the UK but here in the US most white vinegars are safe as not made with wheat. Here is a link. celiac.com/articles/329/1/A...

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi there....I notice also the gluten free guerillas are on health unlocked, not had a look yet.. but the name is a dead giveaway. I am not 100 percent gluten free but limit it due to having so many autoimmune diseases... gram flour is a good one... and it means there is no excuse other than to make onion bhajis immediately. Mary F x

[Izzchick]

Hi all,

I've been wheat/gluten free for about five years now. I originally tested positive for wheat allergy (negative for Coeliac Disease), but on re-testing a year ago, I was negative for wheat allergy!

I think my body's playing games with me as I know I feel unwell after possible cross-contamination. I also had a second cousin who was diagnosed Coeliac, so we have a family history of it, amongst an array of other autoimmune conditions.

It was a nightmare cutting out wheat at first (especially as i'm a committed vegetarian!) but you simply have to educate yourself. Eating out can still be extremely difficult, but eating at home is now easy-peasy as most supermarkets are now labelling food much better.