Newbie Looking For Advice...

[roxieb73]

Any tips on how to start out things to know etc. I am going gluten free. I do not have Celiac just a double set of DQ1 genes subtypes (5,6) and a ton of symptoms that I believe to be gluten related. So in an effort to get well I am going to give this a try. Just want to make sure I do it the right way. So I am ready to absorb all the wonderful information you have to send my way. Thank you!

Roxie

[squirmingitch]

Start with this Roxie:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

[BabsV]

Have you checked out the following thread:

It contains invaluable information for those just starting out!

[GFinDC]

Some starting the gluten-free diet tips:

Don't eat in restraunts

Eat only whole foods not processed foods.

Eat only food you cook yourself, think simple foods, not gourmet meals.

Take probiotics.

Take digestive enzymes.

Avoid dairy.

Avoid sugars and starchy foods.

Avoid alcohol.

Some threads with good info:

FAQ Celiac com

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/forum-7/announcement-3-frequently-asked-questions-about-celiac-disease/

Celiac Newbie Info 101

What's For Breakfast Today?

What Did You Have For Lunch Today?

What Are You Cooking Tonight?

Easy yummy bread in minutes

[VydorScope]

The advice above is all great... but one caution. If you WANT an official dx from a doctor you need to do it before you go gluten-free as that will impact the tests. This is only if you want to get official testing from a doctor. If you are happy, as many are with just trying the diet to see if you get better, then go for it. There is no harm in the diet.

[IrishHeart]

Well, I was going to suggest something, but you guys beat me to it.

[squirmingitch]

And Roxie, I know from your other thread that you're going to try to stay on gluten till the tests are done & then go gluten-free no matter what the tests say. So here's what you can do in the meantime:

Go thorough your entire kitchen with a magic marker & read the ingredients on everything. Mark everything that is gluten-free with a big gluten-free on it. That way when you go gluten-free all you have to do is toss the gluteny stuff or give to a local food bank but you will be ready. Buy a new colander & any teflon that is scratched. When you go gluten-free then toss the old colander & scratched teflon.

Make sure your shampoo, conditioner & soap is gluten free. You can go ahead & switch that over now to gluten-free products as I don't think swallowing a little suds is going to add to your gluten intake for testing purposes. Also check your toothpaste & change it over now. Lipstick too or lip balms.

You could begin making a gluten-free shopping list of things you will need to get like new catsup, mayo, you know, all the condiments which have had gluten knives or spoons in them & you could go ahead & buy them but keep them unopened & then the day you go gluten-free you can open them & toss the gluten contaminated stuff.

[roxieb73]

Wow such great advice from all!!!!! I was gluten free a 1 and 1/2 days before the call to do the endoscopy so back on the gluten but come next Friday bye bye! Although I am not expecting much from the biopsies because DQ1 from what I read almost always come back negative. However if I could get the GI doc to biopsy my leg with the rash then maybe.

[roxieb73]

And Roxie, I know from your other thread that you're going to try to stay on gluten till the tests are done & then go gluten-free no matter what the tests say. So here's what you can do in the meantime:

Go thorough your entire kitchen with a magic marker & read the ingredients on everything. Mark everything that is gluten-free with a big gluten-free on it. That way when you go gluten-free all you have to do is toss the gluteny stuff or give to a local food bank but you will be ready. Buy a new colander & any teflon that is scratched. When you go gluten-free then toss the old colander & scratched teflon.

Make sure your shampoo, conditioner & soap is gluten free. You can go ahead & switch that over now to gluten-free products as I don't think swallowing a little suds is going to add to your gluten intake for testing purposes. Also check your toothpaste & change it over now. Lipstick too or lip balms.

You could begin making a gluten-free shopping list of things you will need to get like new catsup, mayo, you know, all the condiments which have had gluten knives or spoons in them & you could go ahead & buy them but keep them unopened & then the day you go gluten-free you can open them & toss the gluten contaminated stuff.

Really new dishes? I don't know if I can afford it. The food is sooo expensive. I spent $50 the other day and got like 10 things. I am a bargin shopper and Gluten Free food is far from bargin prices.

[VydorScope]

Really new dishes? I don't know if I can afford it. The food is sooo expensive. I spent $50 the other day and got like 10 things. I am a bargin shopper and Gluten Free food is far from bargin prices.

Not all dishes, just the colander, and things like that where food gets stuck in places. Telfon pots with gashes in them fall in that category, as does plastic containers that are stained and/or have gashes in them. A stoneware plate is fine. Anything that you can effectively wash is fine. Some people say wooden spoons/etc have to go because wood is porous. The key is can you get it 100% completely clean or not.

[IrishHeart]

Really new dishes? I don't know if I can afford it. The food is sooo expensive. I spent $50 the other day and got like 10 things. I am a bargin shopper and Gluten Free food is far from bargin prices.

You do not need new dishes. I did not see that in her list.

In the NEWBIE 101 thread, I put a link to what to do about replacing household items.

Toaster, wooden spoons and cutting boards, scratched teflon, wooden rolling pins, plastic strainers, pizza stones.

Anything POROUS.

Don't waste all your grocery money on just gluten-free products.

Buy your meats, fruits, vegs, eggs, dairy (if you tolerate it) FIRST. They are most important. A few packages of rice or corn pasta and some bread.

Learn to make your own baked goods. It is much cheaper and healthier.

I do not spend that much more on groceries than I did before, except for flours. Those are pricey. But I would rather make my own baked goods than pay a high price for the packaged stuff.

If you like things like gluten-free Rice Krispies, Walmart's will be cheaper than the supermarket.

You'll get the hang of it.

[roxieb73]

I knew after shopping I was gonna have to learn to do a lot of cooking and packaging. It will be good for me but until then I am stuck with prepacked if I wanted the carb stuff. lol I will get there. Good to know about the kitchen supplies. I must have just misunderstood. It will still be pricey but I think I can get a few items to start and just use those for now.

[quincy]

Hey GFinDC,

do you avoid all restaurants? I have been eating out lately and kind of wondering if I am taking too many risks now that I have 2 year under my belt.

lately, I was visiting Organic stores that have hot/cold food in the back and I finally had to stop after really questioning their food preparers. They didn't use ANY prevention measures and still would post things as gluten free on their ingredients cards... that really bugged me. they didn't even use a separate cutting board for celiac sake!

thanks!

quincy

[GFinDC]

Hey GFinDC,

do you avoid all restaurants? I have been eating out lately and kind of wondering if I am taking too many risks now that I have 2 year under my belt.

lately, I was visiting Organic stores that have hot/cold food in the back and I finally had to stop after really questioning their food preparers. They didn't use ANY prevention measures and still would post things as gluten free on their ingredients cards... that really bugged me. they didn't even use a separate cutting board for celiac sake!

thanks!

quincy

Hi Quincy,

Well, my advice to avoid restaurants is aimed at people new to the gluten-free diet really. When starting and trying to adjust it is simpler for people not to take chances. I think after people do the gluten-free diet a while they learn what restaurants are safe for them to eat at. I mostly don't eat at restaurants though. I did try an Outback Steakhouse on Memorial day when my sister and hubs visited and that went ok. They have a gluten-free menu. It's kind of a wierd gluten-free menu, but I didn't get sick so that's fine. That's the first time I ate in a restuarant this year though. I am willing to eat salads or veggies in some places, Places with a gluten-free menu are a good risk usually.

I am probably kind of a bad example because I work at home and don't need to eat out much. But when I do I take some Lara bars and fruit or peanuts with me so I can have something safe to eat when I am out with friends. Just in case the restaurant doesn't seem safe. And then I might get a side of veggies.

I probably ate out about 4 times last year. That doesn't mean other people can't eat out more often and be fine. But like you found out, it helps to check with the staff to see if they know what they are doing regarding cc and gluten. I have improved after 4.5 years to the point I could probably eat out more often if I wanted.