Newbie Flundering And Freaking Out About Cc

[debrabenge]

I'm new to this (1 week), and have a few questions.  I used to do a ton of baking-I baked all of our breads, everything.  I use the Pampered Chef stoneware bread pans.  Do I need to buy new ones, or will a good washing in the dishwasher clean them up enough I can start experimenting with gluten-free breads?  Do I need to scrub all of my stoneware?  (I have a LOT of stoneware that I use on a regular basis.)  What about my bamboo utensils?  Do I need to scrap those and buy all new?  Should I switch back to plastic and/or metal?  Heck, are my regular pots and pans safe for me to use?  What about the plastic cups/refillable water bottles I've been using?  I didn't realize cross contamination was such a big issue...  Now, I don't know if I'm simply cooking my gluten-free meals in gluten pots/pans and defeating the whole purpose of the gluten-free diet.  And because I have no idea what my "tolerance level" is, am I going to have to worry about gluten in my shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, lip balms and such?  I'm beginning to think this isn't going to be as easy a transition as I thought it would be...

 

Thanks in advance!

[Lisa]

...and that's why we are here to help!  Welcome   Now...take a deep breath.

 

I would not put such concern to cross contamination at this point.  Concentrate on your food, with a few precautions in the preparation.  Think of gluten as a "crumb".  It's not a germ or a virus.

 

Most cooking untensil and pots and pans can be cleaned well.  I would discard any scratched teflon pots and pans, but mostly because they are  scratched.   And I would suggest buying a toaster for your use only.

 

As you begin your diet, I would make sure any lotions, lipsticks/balms and shampoos are gluten free.  I use Lubriderm, Suave and Dove Shampoo and I buy Red Apple Lipstick on line.

 

You won't know your tolerance level for many months or even a year or two.  Concentrate on eating well and naturally and you will quicken your recovery.   

 

Also, I would recommend eliminating dairy products for a month or so.  With an unhealed intesting, dairy can mimick gluten symptoms. After some healing can take place, dairy can be reintroduced successfully.

 

One more thing, check anything that can happen to comes in conact with your mouth, med included.  Check out www.glutenfreedrugs.com.

 

The learning curve is pretty steep in the beginning, but after you start feeling better, you will find the journey is well worth the ups and downs.

 

 

 

If you have been a baker in the past, I would not jump into gluten free processed foods or baked goods.  Not sure you will like them.  It's an aquired taste .

[Salax]

Before I was diagnosed I used the pampered chef stoneware. And I remember it not being dishwasher safe because it absorbs. With that being said, it would also absorb gluten. I gave mine away to my mother in law who loves those things. I bought a new one for general use that is strictly gluten-free. So I would say they aren't safe to use at all (I know that sucks) As far as your bamboo, I got rid of mine too. Another possiblity of something being absorbent. Plastic is generally OK, but if it's roughed up, scratched and nasty, I would replace. Pots and pans with cracks or straches for gluten to hid in I wouldn't chance it. Metal seems to be ok for things like serving spoons and the like. I would recommend you start with as new collander, cutting boards (don't use old wood ones-found that one out that hard way) and a couple pots and pans that are just yours and work your way out with the things you need to replace. (It can get expensive, but its worth it imho) As far as plastic cups/bottles I don't know, I doubt it, but I have no experience with those things.

 

As far as beauty products, anything that has the potiental to end up in your mouth you need to be careful with. Lipsticks/balms are a given since they are on your mouth. Some of us worry about shampoo others don't. I personally didn't until I accidently got some in my mouth (which never happens....or didn't to me) freaked me out bad enough to switch to a gluten-free brand. So if it ever happens again, no stress on me I also choose to use gluten-free lotions and soaps because again, if I put my finger in my mouth or eat a chip or something. I had it happen with wheat germ in a handsanatizer...ate a gluten-free sammy and bam! sick, couldn't figure out why until I realized I used a handsanatizer right before I picked up my sammy and ate it...darn thing had wheat germ in it! Who knew....not me apparently.

 

Going free is alot like riding a bike. Your going to fall off and get banged up a bit. But you gotta get back on and try again. It doesn't happen over night. So try to breath and take it one day at a time.

 

We are here for you, so welcome to the board and to your next adventure