I Guess I Have To Starve?

[Guest katzmeow21]

Well you could adopt an all or nothing attitude and run your life that way. Everyone will be different according to when their celiac disease was caught and how they're built to begin with. Some people will HAVE to stick to a certain diet with serious restrictions - others won't. There's little need to make sugar the enemy. Gluten free donuts, cakes, candies, shakes, chips... whatever you want- are also available to Celiacs who don't have additional food issues. There's no need to pretend we all have to be- your definition of- healthy here just because the topic is gluten intolerance. My kid's celiac disease was dx at age 3... he has NO other food issues. Are those with MORE food issues going to start looking down on those who can eat sugar... corn, dairy, soy, eggs, etc...? Is "diseasism" going to become useful in defining who's got it worse? (((( I'm a better Celiac cuz I don't eat sugar.)))) (((( I'm a better Celiac cuz I have more intolerances and allergies)))).

How about leaving the lectures on "Healthy eating means no sugar" and making "better choices than you" to yourself? There's no need to get *uppity* about foregoing something like sugar or corn syrup just because you have celiac disease. You don't get a badge of honor if you have additional food sensitivities that leave you sick after a eating Kinnikinnick donuts or a Snicker's Bar. I mentioned "tree huggers" and "granolas" because their image reminds me of "extreemists" which is what you are if you go around lecturing others who can eat sugar about how unhealthy it is and how celiac disease is actually a blessing because it forces you to be more in tune with your body and listen to the effects crap has on it .....blah, blah, blah.....

Yeah, right. If you COULD enjoy junk food **IN MODERATION** as I suggested, you would.

Face it.. You and your friends are just pissed off because you CAN'T have sugar. Stop whining and get off the backs of those who can eat what you can't.

Could you be anymore high and mighty? Puh-leeze. I guess this means, that as a parent, I'm "sacrificing" my child when I give him a peppermint patty. Oh, and I'm "foolish" too for pushing a lifestyle of "junk food in moderation". Well, you're a _______. Enjoy your healthy eating habits and that superior attitude. <--- Look, Ma! No cavities! (even though I eat junk food in moderation )

Exuse me but you are the extremist here! If you read the thread without your EXTREME bias you would understand that it's not even where you've brought this too.

This is why I will just mention "IGNORANCE IS BLISS"

[Jnkmnky]

Exuse me but you are the extremist here! If you read the thread without your EXTREME bias you would understand that it's not even where you've brought this too.

This is why I will just mention "IGNORANCE IS BLISS"

Why, yes. I see that now. If you have celiac disease, you should never, ever, nevereverneverevereverever eat foods that are not organic, sugar free, msg free, dairy free, rinsed in mountain spring water, pressed dry in 100% combed cotton cloth.... and the food must be held between fingers that have been washed in antibacterial soap and rinsed while singing "happy birthday to you" twice. If you don't do this, you might be eating dirty crap. That would trigger your celiac disease.

[Rachel--24]

Why, yes. I see that now. If you have celiac disease, you should never, ever, nevereverneverevereverever eat foods that are not organic, sugar free, msg free, dairy free, rinsed in mountain spring water, pressed dry in 100% combed cotton cloth.... and the food must be held between fingers that have been washed in antibacterial soap and rinsed while singing "happy birthday to you" twice. If you don't do this, you might be eating dirty crap. That would trigger your celiac disease.

Too funny.

By the way....I'm very upset at you right now. Why?....because I WANT a snickers, and a donut, and some pizza and I can't have any.

Think I'll go hug a tree now.

[Jnkmnky]

Too funny.

By the way....I'm very upset at you right now. Why?....because I WANT a snickers, and a donut, and some pizza and I can't have any.

Think I'll go hug a tree now.

Open Original Shared Link

Have you heard of "Stevia"? It's supposed to be sweeter than sugar, but not have the same effect on your body as sugar. It comes in different forms - liquid or powder- . Sorry, I haven't really researched it enough. But if you're sugar sensitive, it may be just your thing. You could get sugar free cocoa add the stevia and melt it down for yourself. Maybe that would work? Oh, and the Mesquite flour I use is sweet and chocolatey but has no sugar and is supposed to be healthy. www.Lame Advertisement.com

Open Original Shared Link

I add it to my cinnamon chebe and it tastes just like a cinnamon raisin bagel from Brueggar's.

[RiceGuy]

Well you could adopt an all or nothing attitude and run your life that way. Everyone will be different according to when their celiac disease was caught and how they're built to begin with. Some people will HAVE to stick to a certain diet with serious restrictions - others won't.

Correct. I do HAVE to stick to a very restricted diet. At least until the gut has had time to repair itself. The point is, I do it because it is what works for me.

How about leaving the lectures on "Healthy eating means no sugar" and making "better choices than you" to yourself? There's no need to get *uppity* about foregoing something like sugar or corn syrup just because you have celiac disease.

Uppity? I NEVER said I make better choices, nor did I say nobody should eat sugar. I said that I can't eat it. I'm not being "uppity", but if you'll noticed I did point out that many prepackaged foods are designed to make people crave them and eat more of them. This means eating them tends to reduce self control, so it isn't as much the person's choice. At that stage it's not enjoyment, but a drug. Maybe some like losing control in that way, but it's not for me with any stretch of the imagination.

Yeah, right. If you COULD enjoy junk food **IN MODERATION** as I suggested, you would.

I believe I said that when I mentioned the chips I like.

Face it.. You and your friends are just pissed off because you CAN'T have sugar. Stop whining and get off the backs of those who can eat what you can't.

If you read what I wrote carefully, you'll see how your comment doesn't apply. (all my family/friends eat sugar too)

Could you be anymore high and mighty? Puh-leeze. I guess this means, that as a parent, I'm "sacrificing" my child when I give him a peppermint patty. Oh, and I'm "foolish" too for pushing a lifestyle of "junk food in moderation". Well, you're a _______. Enjoy your healthy eating habits and that superior attitude. <--- Look, Ma! No cavities! (even though I eat junk food in moderation )

Are you suggesting that I decided to have celiac disease to the extent of nearly dying just to be able to write about it? My dietary restrictions aren't easy, and that is part of the point of what I wrote. Since I find tasty things to eat even while so restricted, others should be encouraged by it, especially if they aren't as restricted. I never said everybody should eat like I do. Heck, I'd like to eat more variety. I am always looking for new ways to make food interesting, but not at the expense of my health. I did say moderation too, so your comments suggesting otherwise don't apply. Junk food doesn't always mean sugar either. My moderation is within the range of choices I have. I can eat corn, potatoes, peanuts, etc, so I do. I've seen many posts from others who cannot eat these things, but I don't tell them they should.

I have seen "uppity" remarks in this thread, but I didn't make them.

I'm also still finding things which seem to be hindering my recovery. It might be soy or casein, but I'm still narrowing it down. I hope you aren't bothered by that as well.

[Jnkmnky]

Correct. I do HAVE to stick to a very restricted diet. At least until the gut has had time to repair itself. The point is, I do it because it is what works for me.

Uppity? I NEVER said I make better choices, nor did I say nobody should eat sugar. I said that I can't eat it. I'm not being "uppity", but if you'll noticed I did point out that many prepackaged foods are designed to make people crave them and eat more of them. This means eating them tends to reduce self control, so it isn't as much the person's choice. At that stage it's not enjoyment, but a drug. Maybe some like losing control in that way, but it's not for me with any stretch of the imagination.

I believe I said that when I mentioned the chips I like.

If you read what I wrote carefully, you'll see how your comment doesn't apply. (all my family/friends eat sugar too)

Are you suggesting that I decided to have celiac disease to the extent of nearly dying just to be able to write about it?

Sure.... That's what I was suggesting.-jnkmnky

My dietary restrictions aren't easy, and that is part of the point of what I wrote. Since I find tasty things to eat even while so restricted, others should be encouraged by it, especially if they aren't as restricted. I never said everybody should eat like I do. Heck, I'd like to eat more variety. I am always looking for new ways to make food interesting, but not at the expense of my health. I did say moderation too, so your comments suggesting otherwise don't apply. Junk food doesn't always mean sugar either. My moderation is within the range of choices I have. I can eat corn, potatoes, peanuts, etc, so I do. I've seen many posts from others who cannot eat these things, but I don't tell them they should.

I have seen "uppity" remarks in this thread, but I didn't make them.

I'm also still finding things which seem to be hindering my recovery. It might be soy or casein, but I'm still narrowing it down. I hope you aren't bothered by that as well.

Heeeeyyy..... You're the poster who said you want to slap people for over-filling their nachos....

Yeah. You're not prone to over reacting.

[Noelle126]

Not to step on any toes here...but how about...

Everyone makes decisions to the best of their abilites and to their liking...I personally love sweets...but I also know I cannot eat them all the time. Others love salty things and others don't eat "junk" food...

Neither is better or worse than the other...everyone makes their own decisions about their bodies.

[Jnkmnky]

Not to step on any toes here...but how about...

Everyone makes decisions to the best of their abilites and to their liking...I personally love sweets...but I also know I cannot eat them all the time. Others love salty things and others don't eat "junk" food...

Neither is better or worse than the other...everyone makes their own decisions about their bodies.

The voice of reason^^^^^^

We should heed her excellent advice. I'm hard-wired to enjoy these "snarky" back and forths. I could go on all day.... or until the admin guy sends me a warning..... If you feel you need to continue this exchange of philosophies with me...please send me an email.

[RiceGuy]

I'm hard-wired to enjoy these "snarky" back and forths. I could go on all day.... or until the admin guy sends me a warning..... If you feel you need to continue this exchange of philosophies with me...please send me an email.

So we've noticed, I'm sure. Though I'm also sure it has been noticed that I didn't make personal remarks, so no thanks on the continued "back and forth" stuff.

Not to step on any toes here...but how about...

Everyone makes decisions to the best of their abilites and to their liking...I personally love sweets...but I also know I cannot eat them all the time. Others love salty things and others don't eat "junk" food...

Neither is better or worse than the other...everyone makes their own decisions about their bodies.

OK by me. Though MSG does still effect the decision making process, but let's not get into that again, or someone might get "uppity" or something.

[BellydancR]

I've really enjoyed this topic, thx for the food ideas. I've only been trying to deal with this for only 3.5 months....but I've tried a couple of ways to 'deal'...initially, I lived on wild rice + fish with vegetables - but that got old, so I added beans and overcame my vegetarianism with some lean beef (I've had pernicious anemia for years). Then I had to finish my dissertation, so I began eating Amy's Kitchen meals. However, I think I'm also sensitive to nightshade and casein, which makes most prepared stuff dangerous, too and I started feeling sick. So, I'm back to cooking beans and rice. I've also started making my own breads, which is much more satisfying and cost-effective than the $6 per loaf kinds at Whole Foods. I totally love chips and sweets, and have found that rice flour makes great cakes, (especially Angel Food cake).

I think the missing foods part is hard, plus the resentment periods when you see other people just stuffing random crap in their mouths, but really, no longer being sick 11 months of the year makes it worth it. Being in grad school (and having lived on food stamps) I completely commiserate with the shame of lack of food funds...but really, this isn't just a lifestyle for the rich. It's a lifestyle for making good food choices.

Monday should be exciting, I'm supposed to attend a luncheon hosted by my Fellowship sponsors, but no one replied to my concerns about the menu. Anyone have any thoughts? Should I have been more insistent? I figured I would eat my own food early and then put in 'face time.' The thing is, even if someone had gotten back to me, I doubt I would have been comfortable eating the food...I just don't trust many caterers or restaurants...i'm CF and have nightshade concerns as well as gluten.

[Jnkmnky]

So we've noticed, I'm sure. Though I'm also sure it has been noticed that I didn't make personal remarks, so no thanks on the continued "back and forth" stuff.

OK by me. Though MSG does still effect the decision making process, but let's not get into that again, or someone might get "uppity" or something.

[skbird]

God, so I'm a tree-hugging granola (without the oats) and I didn't realize that was a bad, uppity thing. I have so much to learn. Sorry if that offends anyone...

Here's a sweet treat that is CF, gluten-free, and SF (yep, I'm an uppity non-junk food eater who can't tolerate regular sugar...)

Hot Chocolate

Take 1 cup coconut milk (or 1/2c coconut milk and 1/2cup whatever else milk)

1 ounce gluten-free/CF/SF chocolate

Stevia to taste

Heat milk and chocolate on the stove until chocolate melts, then add stevia to taste. Mmmmmmm.....

Banana ice cream

1 pint coconut milk

1 ripe banana

stevia to taste

Mix up, put in your ice cream freezer, stir, voila, ice cream.

Sweet...

BTW coconut milk is pretty cheap if you go to an Asian market. Usually $1 a can, get the Chaokao brand, in the brown can, it rocks.

Stephanie

[celiac3270]

Open Original Shared Link

Have you heard of "Stevia"? It's supposed to be sweeter than sugar, but not have the same effect on your body as sugar. It comes in different forms - liquid or powder- . Sorry, I haven't really researched it enough. But if you're sugar sensitive, it may be just your thing. You could get sugar free cocoa add the stevia and melt it down for yourself. Maybe that would work? Oh, and the Mesquite flour I use is sweet and chocolatey but has no sugar and is supposed to be healthy. www.Lame Advertisement.com

Open Original Shared Link

I add it to my cinnamon chebe and it tastes just like a cinnamon raisin bagel from Brueggar's.

In some magazine, Real Simple, my aunt noticed a section on artificial sweeteners. Since you mentioned Stevia, I thought I would share some of this with you. It's the November 2005 issue, on pages 207-213. I am very briefly outlining each:

---------------------------------------------------

SPLENDA -- surprisingly, they basically said it's the least controversial with regards to safety, and most feel it tastes the best. The FDA has evaluated it, there's nothing wrong with it, etc. We've (we on the board) speculated that it can give some GI problems, but that's not mentioned in the article.

XYLOSWEET -- generally recognized as safe, main concern is that when eatedn in large qualtities, sugar alcohols can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea. Few health concerns with them, but stick to products containing erythritol to avoid intestinal problems.

EQUAL, NUTRA SWEET -- Although rumors link it to everything from Alzheimers to brain tumors, none of these allegations were based on conclusive research. One of the chemicals in aspartame, however, may cause a severe reaction in those with a rare condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) when consumed in large amounts. May be trigger for those with headaches. Widely considered fine, but abstain if you get headaches after consuming it or have PKU.

SUNETT, SWEET ONE -- ADA and FDA said it's harmless. CSPI has expressed concern that it may be a carcinogen. Question about safety, but usually used in minute amounts or in combination with others, so experts see little reason for worry.

SWEET'N LOW -- In 1972, FDA linked it to bladder cancer in male rats, five years later proposed a ban on it after a third study yielded hte same results. Further research found the rat study wasn't pertinent to humans. National Cancer Institute found an association between consumption of 6 or more servings of saccharine (or

more than 16 oz of softdrinks) and bladder cancer in humans. Saccharin is controversial, so avoid when possible.

STEVIA -- Marketed as a dietary supplement, so it's not subject to FDA approval. No evidence that it's harmful, but inadequate evidence of its safety, so hasn't been given GRAS status and can't be used as a food additive. The jury is still out, so use stevia with caution.

-------------------------------------------------------

So Splenda sounds good--I always thought badly of it before reading that. I still would avoid artificial sweeteners when possible-- sugar may be bad, but you know what it does and it won't give you cancers--not so with these nebulous warnings on artificial sweeteners. Stevia sounds ok, but I'd rather not use something that hasn't been tested.

-celiac3270

[Claire]

Well we certainly have gotten bent out of shape, haven't we? Being here at the end (for the moment) and looking over these posts, it seems there has been more than a little bit of misunderstanding and misreading.

Maybe some of you got glutened during the holiday and are subsequently contankerous.

I thought we were all trying to provide helpful responses to the person who started this topic. We would then be trying to present some ideas about how to eat well. eat healthy, eat gluten-free - not starve and not go broke.

A lot of the rhetoric here does not do that. To that extent we are all off topic.

Any person with an illnesss needs to optimize health - get the body back into the best possible condition so recovery will be hastened. Anyone here need to argue with that?

I think it goes without saying that some members of this forum are all but compulsively dedicated to getting free of celiac symptoms and regaining lost health. Others will have a much more relaxed approach. This is a choice and each will see some fault in the other's choice. Each can speak from their own perspective - no accusations necessary.

I have been told by a recent consultant neurologist that I needed to do the best possible things for my body. These to include: a healthy diet (as unprocessed as possibe), exercise, regular hours for sleeping, stress reduction. He recommended a gluten-free diet and the elimination of all foods that cause the immune system to mount an attack. I think his recommendations speak for themselves.

I offer up this quotation which I believe supports what riceguy was saying:

. . . . grains, starches, sweets are addictive. Eating a little less of them is like consuming a little less heroin, or any other addictive substance, To overcome any addiction you must, for a period of time, completely avoid the addictive substance. Any grains and sugars will prompt you to eat even more. The advice that a little grain and sugar consumption is okay is music to the addict' ears. But if you think you can kick the grain habit without going No Grain you are mistaken. -

this from The No-Grain Diet by Dr. Joseph Mercola with Allison Rose Levy

-------------------------------------------------------

So Splenda sounds good--I always thought badly of it before reading that. I still would avoid artificial sweeteners when possible-- sugar may be bad, but you know what it does and it won't give you cancers--not so with these nebulous warnings on artificial sweeteners. Stevia sounds ok, but I'd rather not use something that hasn't been tested.

-celiac3270

Try stevia - you may not like it! Claire

[Rachel--24]

Maybe some of you got glutened during the holiday and are subsequently contankerous.

Naw...I think some of us are just contankerous by nature.

Not me of course... well "on gluten" I suppose its a different story.

[Jnkmnky]

In some magazine, Real Simple, my aunt noticed a section on artificial sweeteners. Since you mentioned Stevia, I thought I would share some of this with you. It's the November 2005 issue, on pages 207-213. I am very briefly outlining each:

---------------------------------------------------

SPLENDA -- surprisingly, they basically said it's the least controversial with regards to safety, and most feel it tastes the best. The FDA has evaluated it, there's nothing wrong with it, etc. We've (we on the board) speculated that it can give some GI problems, but that's not mentioned in the article.

XYLOSWEET -- generally recognized as safe, main concern is that when eatedn in large qualtities, sugar alcohols can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea. Few health concerns with them, but stick to products containing erythritol to avoid intestinal problems.

EQUAL, NUTRA SWEET -- Although rumors link it to everything from Alzheimers to brain tumors, none of these allegations were based on conclusive research. One of the chemicals in aspartame, however, may cause a severe reaction in those with a rare condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) when consumed in large amounts. May be trigger for those with headaches. Widely considered fine, but abstain if you get headaches after consuming it or have PKU.

SUNETT, SWEET ONE -- ADA and FDA said it's harmless. CSPI has expressed concern that it may be a carcinogen. Question about safety, but usually used in minute amounts or in combination with others, so experts see little reason for worry.

SWEET'N LOW -- In 1972, FDA linked it to bladder cancer in male rats, five years later proposed a ban on it after a third study yielded hte same results. Further research found the rat study wasn't pertinent to humans. National Cancer Institute found an association between consumption of 6 or more servings of saccharine (or

more than 16 oz of softdrinks) and bladder cancer in humans. Saccharin is controversial, so avoid when possible.

STEVIA -- Marketed as a dietary supplement, so it's not subject to FDA approval. No evidence that it's harmful, but inadequate evidence of its safety, so hasn't been given GRAS status and can't be used as a food additive. The jury is still out, so use stevia with caution.

-------------------------------------------------------

So Splenda sounds good--I always thought badly of it before reading that. I still would avoid artificial sweeteners when possible-- sugar may be bad, but you know what it does and it won't give you cancers--not so with these nebulous warnings on artificial sweeteners. Stevia sounds ok, but I'd rather not use something that hasn't been tested.

-celiac3270

Open Original Shared Link

Stevia isn't a man-made chemical concoction. I don't quite understand why they haven't just ok'd it.. unless it's about killing the sugar industry if Stevia is a truely safe alternative. Anyone else using it?

[Rachel--24]

Have you heard of "Stevia"? It's supposed to be sweeter than sugar, but not have the same effect on your body as sugar. It comes in different forms - liquid or powder- . Sorry, I haven't really researched it enough. But if you're sugar sensitive, it may be just your thing.

I actually have some stevia. I had forgotten about it. Its a little bitter but better than nothing I guess if I really need a "fix". I used to put it on my flaxmeal cereal...but I kept getting contaminated by the flaxmeal and of course the entire time I blamed it on the stevia and stopped using it. Kept getting sick from the cereal though...sometimes it takes me awhile to clue in.

Now I'm back to a bland "granola" type diet and I really dont have anything to put the stevia in right now.

[jerseyangel]

Stevia is an herb--all natural. I don't personally care for the taste, but it is the sweetener that my Kinesiologist recommended that I use. I don't, though--I use regular sugar.

[Jnkmnky]

I actually have some stevia. I had forgotten about it. Its a little bitter but better than nothing I guess if I really need a "fix". I used to put it on my flaxmeal cereal...but I kept getting contaminated by the flaxmeal and of course the entire time I blamed it on the stevia and stopped using it. Kept getting sick from the cereal though...sometimes it takes me awhile to clue in.

Now I'm back to a bland "granola" type diet and I really dont have anything to put the stevia in right now.

Oh. I haven't tried it. Maybe there are different brands and some are less bitter? Can you have honey? Just curious. They should make a sweetener out of the "stuff" in honeysuckles.... have they done that yet???

Open Original Shared Link

Here's another all natural sweetener.

[Rachel--24]

Oh. I haven't tried it. Maybe there are different brands and some are less bitter? Can you have honey? Just curious. They should make a sweetener out of the "stuff" in honeysuckles.... have they done that yet???

Open Original Shared Link

Here's another all natural sweetener.

I'm thinking no sweets for a couple months. The reason is that when I was very sick the clueless doctors were giving me drugs, drugs, and more drugs. The antibiotics they prescribed killed off all my good bacteria. I had tests done and I have dysbiosis...no good bacteria. I didn't have any yeast overgrowth or "bad bacterias" at the time ....probably because I was only eating meat and veggies. It was the only way to feel good.

When I got the gluten dx....I started eating all the goodies again...I didn't bother to replace my good bacteria first. I didnt take any probiotics just jumped right into eating all the gluten-free processed foods. Not a smart move. Now I'm taking a step back and cutting out all the sugar and taking lots of probiotics. I was eating honey the past few months...and it was gooood.

[Claire]

Open Original Shared Link

Stevia isn't a man-made chemical concoction. I don't quite understand why they haven't just ok'd it.. unless it's about killing the sugar industry if Stevia is a truely safe alternative. Anyone else using it?

Tried it once - didn't like it. Very sweet. Claire

I'm thinking no sweets for a couple months. The reason is that when I was very sick the clueless doctors were giving me drugs, drugs, and more drugs. The antibiotics they prescribed killed off all my good bacteria. I had tests done and I have dysbiosis...no good bacteria. I didn't have any yeast overgrowth or "bad bacterias" at the time ....probably because I was only eating meat and veggies. It was the only way to feel good.

When I got the gluten dx....I started eating all the goodies again...I didn't bother to replace my good bacteria first. I didnt take any probiotics just jumped right into eating all the gluten-free processed foods. Not a smart move. Now I'm taking a step back and cutting out all the sugar and taking lots of probiotics. I was eating honey the past few months...and it was gooood.

If you are not CF, eating yogurt - preferably home made with organic milk - or eating Brie cheese will help get those bacteria back. Claire

[Rachel--24]

If you are not CF, eating yogurt - preferably home made with organic milk - or eating Brie cheese will help get those bacteria back. Claire

I'm not CF so I've been eating organic plain yogurt the past few days + taking the probiotic supplements.

I do have a yogurt maker and I used to make my own w/ organic milk or sometimes I used goats milk. I guess I'm being lazy now because I'm just buying the store kind. Do you think homemade yogurt has stronger probiotics or does it make a difference? The only reason I used it before was to kill off the sugars (lactose) with the fermentation process. It takes like 3 days though...which is a pain to have to wait that long to eat the stuff.

[Claire]

I'm not CF so I've been eating organic plain yogurt the past few days + taking the probiotic supplements.

I do have a yogurt maker and I used to make my own w/ organic milk or sometimes I used goats milk. I guess I'm being lazy now because I'm just buying the store kind. Do you think homemade yogurt has stronger probiotics or does it make a difference? The only reason I used it before was to kill off the sugars (lactose) with the fermentation process. It takes like 3 days though...which is a pain to have to wait that long to eat the stuff.

I can't say for sure whether it is more probiotics, less lactose or if the deciding factor is the organic milk.

Milk free of contamination from pesticides etc. could be the reason my daughter could eat it. She is very sensitive to dairy but had no trouble with her homemade organic variety. It takes four hours not counting a half hour or so of prep time. Claire

[Guest katzmeow21]

I've really enjoyed this topic, thx for the food ideas. I've only been trying to deal with this for only 3.5 months....but I've tried a couple of ways to 'deal'...initially, I lived on wild rice + fish with vegetables - but that got old, so I added beans and overcame my vegetarianism with some lean beef (I've had pernicious anemia for years). Then I had to finish my dissertation, so I began eating Amy's Kitchen meals. However, I think I'm also sensitive to nightshade and casein, which makes most prepared stuff dangerous, too and I started feeling sick. So, I'm back to cooking beans and rice. I've also started making my own breads, which is much more satisfying and cost-effective than the $6 per loaf kinds at Whole Foods. I totally love chips and sweets, and have found that rice flour makes great cakes, (especially Angel Food cake).

I think the missing foods part is hard, plus the resentment periods when you see other people just stuffing random crap in their mouths, but really, no longer being sick 11 months of the year makes it worth it. Being in grad school (and having lived on food stamps) I completely commiserate with the shame of lack of food funds...but really, this isn't just a lifestyle for the rich. It's a lifestyle for making good food choices.

Monday should be exciting, I'm supposed to attend a luncheon hosted by my Fellowship sponsors, but no one replied to my concerns about the menu. Anyone have any thoughts? Should I have been more insistent? I figured I would eat my own food early and then put in 'face time.' The thing is, even if someone had gotten back to me, I doubt I would have been comfortable eating the food...I just don't trust many caterers or restaurants...i'm CF and have nightshade concerns as well as gluten.

Could you share your angel food cake recipe?

Would greatly appreciate it.

regards mj

[skbird]

Rachel - if you are avoiding sweets for possible candida reasons, you can still use stevia. It has no sugar in it whatsoever. Nothing for the bad bacteria to feed off of.

It depends on the brand, those that are stronger in the sweet elements have less of a bitter taste. Usually straight stevia will be too much to take, it's best when added in with something else. I don't often use straight stevia, I usually mix it with another sweetener, xylitol or agave nectar for example. But they have carbohydrates in them so you wouldn't want to use them with yeast problems.

Hope this isn't too off topic for some...

Stephanie