Update - Am I on the right track?

[aquilter16]

I stopped all gluten about 2 months ago, doing well on dairy, fruit, veggies, salmon, tuna, chicken and beef if not marinated and gluten-free cereals, but found I was still getting ill after eating salads.  I ate out one night, had a totally gluten free plate but with a side of cole slaw and was sick hours later.  The only common ingredient was vinegar (white/distilled).  I find I am OK with balsamic, but nothing pickled, no condiments etc.  I did go to the doctor and was tested for celiac plus a full blood panel - all came back clean, no celiac.  After finally getting my system back to normal, I ate a prepacked chef salad from the grocery store with turkey and ham and I think shredded cheese and 24 hours I did not feel well but nothing as bad as the previous month.  I have read there is controversy over white vinegar being gluten laden, but my system cannot take it.  Am I off base feeling vinegar is a culprit to my system along with gluten.  I refuse to put either item purposely in my system to "find out".  I did find a supplement similar to Lactaid to help break down gluten in case I unknowingly eat it.  I feel it keeps the symptoms very mild if I eat something hidden, but I am still not going to knowingly eat gluten to see how well it works.  Does anyone else have a problem with white or distilled vinegar??

[cyclinglady]

14 hours ago, aquilter16 said:

I stopped all gluten about 2 months ago, doing well on dairy, fruit, veggies, salmon, tuna, chicken and beef if not marinated and gluten-free cereals, but found I was still getting ill after eating salads.  I ate out one night, had a totally gluten free plate but with a side of cole slaw and was sick hours later.  The only common ingredient was vinegar (white/distilled).  I find I am OK with balsamic, but nothing pickled, no condiments etc.  I did go to the doctor and was tested for celiac plus a full blood panel - all came back clean, no celiac.  After finally getting my system back to normal, I ate a prepacked chef salad from the grocery store with turkey and ham and I think shredded cheese and 24 hours I did not feel well but nothing as bad as the previous month.  I have read there is controversy over white vinegar being gluten laden, but my system cannot take it.  Am I off base feeling vinegar is a culprit to my system along with gluten.  I refuse to put either item purposely in my system to "find out".  I did find a supplement similar to Lactaid to help break down gluten in case I unknowingly eat it.  I feel it keeps the symptoms very mild if I eat something hidden, but I am still not going to knowingly eat gluten to see how well it works.  Does anyone else have a problem with white or distilled vinegar??

Distilled white vinegar is gluten free:

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 Those supplements to “break down” gluten may give you piece of mind, but they do not work for celiacs according to top celiac disease experts.  You can take them, as I think the mind is a pretty powerful healer.  

But....your huge mistake was buying a prepackaged salad that was not certified gluten free (or was it?).  Those are always a risk.  Not just for Gluten cross contamination but because those processed salads are constantly being recalled for bacteria (e.g. salmonella. E. Coli, etc.). Check the USDA and FDA websites.....if the company reports it.  And notice your other incident?  You ate coleslaw at a restaurant.  Unless it was a dedicated gluten free restaurant, you were exposed to another opportunity for cross contamination in all your food that was served to you.   

[aquilter16]

The plate I had was labeled gluten-free with the added side of coleslaw, (not labeled gluten-free) although, no, you can never rely on it not being contaminated.  Even eating a completely home made tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette and pickled egg or other pickled item, bbq'd ribs labeled gluten-free gave me diarrhea.  After much reading there are two sides to white vinegar being gluten-free and for me whether it is or isn't, it also affects me the same way gluten does.  I have had no cramping, no rumbling, no diarrhea since removing both items from my diet.  As for the supplements, I was negative for celiac but that does not mean I'm not gluten intolerant and I use them if I am in fear of eating something contaminated - as with eating out - or eating a hidden gluten.  I will not take them and then chow down on gluten.   Maybe it is a placebo, but if it keeps me feeling less ill after a contaminated meal, I'll continue to use them.

 

[cyclinglady]

It is frustrating determining if you have been glutened or not.  Celiac disease is like a chameleon.  Symptoms can and do change.  I imagine that NCGS is comparable.  Consider a sulfite intolerance.  Whatever it is, it appears that vinegar is not for you!  I am glad that you figured it out.  ?

 

[Ennis-TX]

Even those without celiac can get food intolerance issues or sensitivities....those with celiac, auto immune disease, or damaged guts are ALOT more prone. Just consider the vinegar on your NO list...hell I have some odd NO foods and ingredients....on and off I get random issues with plain iceberg lettuce making me violently puke...I found store bough veggies on the shelf make me sick due to the waxy stuff they put on them...washing never gets it all off....same frozen prepacked veggies or from the farmers market are fine. I had the vinegar issue for years and went to apple cider vinegar, balsamic, and red wine......now Apple and white are fine but red and balsamic make me nauseated.
Keep a food diary to keep track of you issues.
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[aquilter16]

Thanks for your responses.  May I ask what is NCGS?  I am still learning all the lingo.  I have not considered sulfites/ates, but for now all seems good but will keep them on my radar.

 

[Ennis-TX]

1 minute ago, aquilter16 said:

Thanks for your responses.  May I ask what is NCGS?  I am still learning all the lingo.  I have not considered sulfites/ates, but for now all seems good but will keep them on my radar.

 

Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, some have it and can react just as bad to gluten or even worse then celiacs. I think I have a saved page of symptoms.

1. Acne, Flushed Skin, or Rashes
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity can manifest itself as a chronic skin condition such as a rash, acne, or red/flushed cheeks, but these conditions could also be hormonal. On the other hand Celiac disease also has Dermatitis herpetiformic or DH, which is characterized by rashes and chronically itchy, elbows, knees, buttons, and back.

2. Distended Stomach or Bloating
A distended or bloated stomach applies especially after gluten consumption and is a fairly clear sign of gluten sensitivity. A distended stomach is also characteristic of malnutrition as well of celiac disease.

3. Diarrhea, Gas, or Constipation
These three  symptoms can simultaneously occur after eating gluten and may be a sign of intolerance because, especially the former, is a way for the body to expel harmful allergens or other substances. Often, diarrhea (frequent loose or liquid stools) occurs with gas, resulting in a “feeling of a full or tight abdomen” as put by the NFCA. Constipation, essentially the antithesis of diarrhea, is also a symptom of non-celiac gluten sensitivity and is characterized by infrequent, hard, painful bowel movements from lack of physical activity or poor diet, namely a diet high in refined carbs rich in gluten. This can be made worse if one has a magnesium defeniceny, does not get though hard fiber, or drink enough water. All of which can be made worse by the feeling of bloat/gas making one feel too full to need to drink or eat high fiber foods.

4. Brain Fog or Migraines
Brain fog is a major characteristic of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Chronic or debilitating migraines goes hand in hand with the idea of brain fog and results in depression or irritability. These again can be made worse by defiencies, like B-vitamins.

5. Joint Pain or Numbness in Extremities
Tingling, pain, or numbness in the joints or extremities is abnormal and should be a clear sign of a health problem like gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Colloquially, this tingling is described as “pins and needles” or a limb being “asleep.” If this happens frequently for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of gluten intolerance. Again these can help be aleviated and be made worse by deficnentics in Magnesium, B-vitamins

[aquilter16]

Thanks, very helpful information.