7 replies to this topic

[hnh]

My question is "is there a list of grocery store items that are gluten free" anywhere?

My story:

I am currently new to the gluten free world...My naturopathic dr. has recently put me on a gluten and dairy free diet. My previous "regular" dr.'s put me through all kinds of test to see why I have had pain in my left side of my abdomen for about 2 years. All tests came back "normal"...their next test was going to be a colonoscopy and I said enough was enough.....they wouldn't even consider that it may be something related to food.....so after having blood tests done with the naturopath for food sensitivities we are seeing if my symptoms disappear with the removal of gluten and dairy. I thought I basically would need to remove bread and cracker type items but it seems that gluten is hidden in everything.......also is their a list of ingredients that I wouldn't recognize as having gluten but really do?.....

Thanks so much!

[ravenwoodglass]

The best way to be gluten free is to eat mostly whole unprocessed foods.
If you go to the home page here you will find list of ingredients to watch out for:
http://www.celiac.com/

A couple companies that clearly label gluten ingredients are Kraft and Unilever in the US. Be sure to check all meds, both OTC and script, and supplements and read the full label on supplements as wheat and barley grass can be included but the item can still have a gluten-free label. You want to avoid those.

Did your doctor do a celiac panel on you? Be aware that if you go gluten light or gluten free that they will not be able to test you for celiac without a lengthy gluten challenge.

[hnh]

The best way to be gluten free is to eat mostly whole unprocessed foods.
If you go to the home page here you will find list of ingredients to watch out for:
http://www.celiac.com/

A couple companies that clearly label gluten ingredients are Kraft and Unilever in the US. Be sure to check all meds, both OTC and script, and supplements and read the full label on supplements as wheat and barley grass can be included but the item can still have a gluten-free label. You want to avoid those.

Did your doctor do a celiac panel on you? Be aware that if you go gluten light or gluten free that they will not be able to test you for celiac without a lengthy gluten challenge.

Thanks - this will be helpful

I did the 154 IGG test - which showed sensitivities....she did say to go gluten free to see if my symptoms disappear but that if I did want to do the celiac test I would have to be eating gluten on a regular basis. I am not sure which would be better...what I am doing or have the test done? She mentioned something about try going gluten free as she was afraid if I didn't it might turn into full blown celiac if i was to continue eating gluten occasionally....a bit confused on this.

[Skylark]

Before you go off gluten, you need proper celiac testing. Celiac testing only works on a full gluten diet. (Four slices of bread a day worth of gluten.) If gluten turns out to be your problem, you won't want to re-poison yourself for two months to find out if you have celiac disease.

Tests you need:
Total IgA
TTG IgA
deamidated gliadin (also called gliadin peptide) IgA and IgG
If the total IgA comes back deficient you need TTG IgG.

Your normal doctor can order this. It's called a celiac panel.

To answer your question for after the testing, shop the outside of the grocery store on your first couple trips. Veggies, fruits, potatoes and sweet potatoes, plain raw meat and seafood, eggs, natural dairy (cheese, butter, milk), and plain nuts are all naturally gluten-free and there is no confusing label reading necessary. You can venture to the processed food aisles to pick up some dried beans or plain canned beans and rice. For seasoning, single spices and herbs are fine, but many seasoning mixes contain gluten. Onions and garlic are good.

For your first dinner, make a roasted chicken, baked potatoes, and your favorite veggie with butter. Bake an extra potato so you can make home fries with eggs in the morning. Leftover chicken and a salad for lunch (olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing) and you're off and running. gluten-free. It's that simple.

For more meal ideas check our breakfast and dinner threads.
http://www.celiac.co...450#entry807548
http://www.celiac.co...ooking-tonight/

Leave the rest of the processed food alone on your first couple trips, until you start learning to read labels. If you want to get into the label-reading here are food lists.
Safe: http://www.celiac.co...ents/Page1.html
Unsafe: http://www.celiac.co...ents/Page1.html

[sa1937]

Welcome to the forum hnh! You might always want to check out the Newbie 101 info posted here in the coping section.

[Lisa]

After you get adequately tested, this resource may be helpful:

http://www.cdfresourcedirectory.com/

[Mim1]

I suspect I have a problem with gluten in my diet. I am just beginning my journey to be tested. I have an endocrinologist that I see for tyhroid issues. Is this the type of doctor that I should pursue testing with or is there another type of doctor. What is the test called a celiac panel?? Thanks for your help.
Mim1

[ravenwoodglass]

I suspect I have a problem with gluten in my diet. I am just beginning my journey to be tested. I have an endocrinologist that I see for tyhroid issues. Is this the type of doctor that I should pursue testing with or is there another type of doctor. What is the test called a celiac panel?? Thanks for your help.
Mim1

The tests that Skylark listed are the tests you need. Any doctor can order them for you but many doctors will want you to see a GI doctor for a biopsy if they are positive. The choice on whether to do that is yours to make as if the blood tests are positive you do need the diet. However false negatives on testing are not uncommon so after all Celiac related testing is done do give the diet a good strict try no matter what the results.