Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Hello! Looking For Some Advice..

Lola

Recommended Posts

Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted

Hi everyone.. I did a quick search on the internet and this site/messageboard popped up. I'm a messageboard junkie myself so I was highly excited to see so many knowledgeable people on-line in regard to celiac disease. So for that I say THANKS!

My boyfriend was just recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. He goes back to the doc on Friday. On top of that, they also believe he may have a hole in his intestines that will require surgery.

I've heard of the Gluten-Free diet (I work for a cruise line and from time to time, my passengers have faxed me information to forward on to the ship).. So I'm a little familiar with the idea that you can't eat wheat, etc... however after reading a few things on here, I've come to realize that it goes beyond food! I couldn't believe that you have to even watch your shampoos, lotions, etc. What a challenge! And eating out seems to be quite the task. I'm here to gain some knowledge about living gluten-free. I've told my boyfriend that its a total lifestyle change - and that it will take time. But we do plan a future together, so of course, i am going to have to learn how to cook and such for us to be able to dine together!

I'm sorry this is so long winded - i just have so much on my mind I guess. I was hoping you can suggest a book or two that i can pick up on the subject that you've found to be helpful? Easy for me to understand and to help him with this new lifestyle? Also, can you tell me off hand, the major things (breads, etc.) in which he should cut out of his diet NOW while we still learn what he can/cannot have?

For right now, our biggest challenge is dining out. I reside in Florida and he lives in Tennessee. We meet up in different cities to catch sporting events together, therefore we eat out quite frequently. Any tips on what we should look for is highly appreciated.

Thank you so much! :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted
  • Author

dahhhh i just saw the whole forum about books/publications.. sorry for asking that in my post. LOL

:P

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Dining out will be your biggest challege, as it has been for me. I live in a small town and they welcome me into the kitchen to talk to the chef to see what can be prepared for me for that night.

We recently went to a pot-lock holloween dinner at a neighbors and I ate some ribs. I asked the chef what was in the merinade (who doesn't know about my affliction) and what he mentioned sounded ok. I ate one and wished that I didn't.

I feel your problem. I don't want to make this a public issue, so it holds me back for eating all the wonderful food at parties and receptions. The holidays are comming, and to be honest, I am not looking forward to them.

When I eat at home, I know it is safe. We seem to have more people, neighbors over for simple meals. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked bean ....all that I know is safe.

Dining out is a real challenge. Always approach the manager and ask about any gluten free foods. If non available, bring your own salad dressing and order a salad. Restaurant managers are often very helpful if you explain your situation.

Hope that this will be helpful, not rewarding, but good heath is paramount.

Lisa B.

Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted
  • Author

Thank you. This does help. For right now, the dining out part will be challenging until we have the knowledge to know exactly what to look for. Hopefully I can pick up some literature this weekend at Barnes & Nobles so I can have a clue on what to do. Its also tough being a few states away - I can't keep an eye on him to make sure he's paying attention to what he eats :blink::blink:

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
Thank you.  This does help.  For right now, the dining out part will be challenging until we have the knowledge to know exactly what to look for.  Hopefully I can pick up some literature this weekend at Barnes & Nobles so I can have a clue on what to do.  Its also tough being a few states away - I can't keep an eye on him to make sure he's paying attention to what he eats :blink:  :blink:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lola:

Search the web and go to the Delfi Forum, Go the the gluten-free Product List, sign on with a free password and you can down load lots!!!! of Gluten Free Products. It is about 80pages but it is essential to a new Celiac (or a person who has Celiac Disease). It will get you and your friend started on knowing what to buy and what is not safe.

Also run off the Celiac Safe and Forbiden List on this site. It will be confusing until you learn what to look for.

Good luck and if you have any further question you can post here or e-me on my personal site listed here.

Best of luck, keep that man straight. ;)

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

The things to cut out are the obvious and not obvious:

* most breads/pastries/bagels/muffins, etc.

* most hot and cold cereals

* most crackers and cookies

* most pastas/noodles

* most flour tortillas

* most soy sauce and asian sauces based on soy sauce

* most fried/breaded items

* most pies/cakes/tortes, etc.

The reason I say "most" on all of these things is because there are gluten free versions of all of them available. (In the case of flour tortillas, there are rice flour tortillas, but most of us just use corn tortillas.) It will take you time to find these items and figure out which ones are tasty, though.

In the mean time, there are a LOT of foods that are naturally gluten-free - any natural, whole, unprocessed food that isn't wheat, barley, rye, or oats. Anything fresh in the produce section is fine. gluten-free grains (white/brown/wild rice, corn, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.) are all fine as are legumes (like beans and lentils). Fresh, unprocessed meats are also fine. Plain dairy and eggs are good as well. Be careful of anything that comes prepackaged or has multiple ingredient lists - you have to read EVERY ingredient label. (There's a helpful safe/un-safe listing on this celiac.com site.)

Congrats to you for being so supportive and understanding and SO willing to learn! Your SO is lucky to have you! :-)

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Lola-

An excellent book to read is "Wheat Free, Worry Free" by Danna Korn. Reliable and large-scope information...will educate you all about Celiac. I bought mine on amazon, but you should be able to order or purchase in a bookstore too.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


debbiewil Rookie
debbiewil
Posted

If you're meeting for sporting events, consider packing a picnic lunch to eat at the event, or find a park and enjoy after. Outback, PF Changs and Carrabas have gluten free menus - you still have to be very careful, but it helps. Also Boston Market has a number of gluten free items. You can check their websites for more information. I'm sure there are some others, but those are the only ones I've been too since I started gluten-free a couple of months ago.

Debbie

Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted
  • Author

Thanks so much everyone. I appreciate you being so friendly and for giving me helpful tips!

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Cross contamination is a big issue for Celiacs, both at home and especially eating out. I am extremely sensitive to gluten (no other allergies, etc.) and am always careful to eat "identified" gluten free items at restaurants (fast food places, or other places that have provided info)....but still, I frequently find that I get sick. I usually don't have trouble at places with official gluten free menus, but at other places, its hit or miss. Even though some fast food french fries are "safe," they can be contaminated by being cooked in oil that was used for frying something breaded. Its the little things like this that Celiacs have to think about.

I'm sure he appreciates your support!! He is lucky to have you. Many on this board have wonderfully supportive partners and it really does make a big difference!! :D

kelliac Rookie
kelliac
Posted
.

I was hoping you can suggest a book or two that i can pick up on the subject that you've found to be helpful?  Easy for me to understand and to help him with this new lifestyle?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A really great starter book is The Gluten Free Bible by Jax Peters Lowell. She has celiac disease and her experiences and advice are worthwhile reading. In fact, this book is a gift I give to all my newly diagnosed friends and family (along with a basket of my favorite gluten-free products). Just met her at a GIG Meeting and believe me, she has a great sense of humor. :)

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Lola-

Please visit this current link on book recommendations, below. I also recommend you read what other members have to say about the Gluten Free Bible on this thread. Quite a few people here feel it has misinformation in it and caution others on reading it. I have never heard compliants on Danna Korn's book.

Open Original Shared Link

Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted
  • Author
Lola-

Please visit this current link on book recommendations, below.  I also recommend you read what other members have to say about the Gluten Free Bible on this thread.  Quite a few people here feel it has misinformation in it and caution others on reading it.  I have never heard compliants on Danna Korn's book.

Open Original Shared Link

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ironically, I was reading that thread the other night Jen and decided on the Donna Korn book for us as well. I'm picking up two copies since we each live in in different states. ;)

Lola Newbie
Lola
Posted
  • Author

I have another question...

Are there different levels of intolerence for Gluten? Reason I ask - I read on here how certain people really really get sick if even a little Gluten is in the food. Like the stomach aches and of course, the bowel movement. My boyfriend has not complained to me about stomach aches. Moreso after he eats, we giggle about the mad dash to the mens room.

Can I assume that if he doesn't cut the Gluten from his diet, he can cause damage to his intestines, etc?? Will he become more sensitive to the Gluten as time goes on?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.