New To All Of This

[MaryanneQ]

Hi - I'm new to all of this and a little overwealmed.

My 6 yo son is not "officially" disgnosed with celiac disease - yet. He had positive blood tests but negative biopsy. His Pediatric GI is repeating all blood tests, doing a special Celiac Panel through a special lab, ordering fecal tests, sweat test for CF(a waste since I am not a carrier) gave me the option of repeating the biopsy or doing a year gluten-free Diet with a gluten challenge afterwards and another biopsy possibly. FYI - He is VERY small for his age, has attention issues, speech issues, severe dental issues and is anemic but no other "physical symptoms" - no pain, bowel issues etc.

SO - on we forge to a gluten free diet. This will be a challenge as he is very picky and will not eat some things because of his teeth and oral sensitivities. Basically every single thing he eats is full of gluten - PB&J, Grilled Cheese, Mac and Cheese, chicken nuggets, Spaghetti, toast, cereal etc..... I have two books already and have read quite a bit and have tried some gluten-free staples and all I can say is - GROSS!!!

So basically I just need some guidance from the "Pros" -

I need to know what bread is the best and closet to "regular" bread - He eats PB&J EVERY day and the bread I found just didn't hold up - in fact it crumbled when I was just trying to take it out of the bag?!?!? (And was $4.50 for a small loaf - grrr) Also how does it hold up for grilled cheese etc?

What's the best cake mix? Are "store" frostings ok?

What about bread crumbs? Best macaroni and cheese? Best pasta?

I need all the favorites and tips you want to throw at me. Plus how about money saving tips? I know this is going to be so expensive for a family of 4 and a baby(We will all go gluten-free if Nick has to go gluten-free)

[LisaS]

MarryanneQ,

I am by no means a "Pro" yet. I have my biopsy on May 13. But I am planning on going gluten free after the biopsy regardless of the diagnosis, so I have been checking labels, looking for web sites, and contacting manufactures. I also plan to limit gluten for my two children (8 & 11). These are the gluten free items I think kids would like:

Act II and Pop Weaver microwave popcorn

Fritos

Cheetos

Ore-Ida Golden Crinkles (not all Ore-Ida French fries are gluten-free, but I have the complete list)

Tillamook yogurt

Bush

[gf4life]

Hi Maryanne,

We use Kinnikinnick bread. It is lighter than most gluten-free breads and doesn't crumble, but it is a bit chewier than regular gluten breads. My kids like it toasted, and I imagine it would be fine for grilled cheese (haven't tried it since we are all off dairy right now).

You can sometimes find it in US healthfood stores, or you can order it online at Open Original Shared Link . Shipping is $10.00 no matter how much you order. the bread is pricey at $4.50 a loaf and only 15 slices in a loaf, but it is worth it to me. I can't stand the dense dry crumbly loaves of gluten-free bread I was wasting my money on before. This bread is more like normal bread. I have tried the Sunflower Flax Rice Bread, Robins Honey Brown Rice Bread, Candadi Yeast Free Multigrain Rice Bread, and liked them all. The yeast free one was more dry than the others. They sell a white sandwich bread that is supposed to be very good, too. I plan to try that with my next order. We have also tried their donuts. We liked the cinnamon sugar and the chocolate dipped ones.

The most liked pasta in our family is Tinkyada brown rice pastas. I have served these to non-gluten-free people and they couldn't tell the difference. They taste great. Lundberg farms is good too. We did not like DeBoles brand, but others have said it is their favorite. Stay away from the bean pastas. They taste nasty.

The best cake mix by far is Chocloate Cake by Really Great Foods. I buy mine from Gluten Solutions. Open Original Shared Link Their muffins and yellow cake are good to, but the chocolate is the best we have ever had. My kids and I like it better than "regular" chocolate cake. It tastes so good, they like it without frosting. I decorate it with powdered sugar.

If you want frosting the ready made Pillsbury is gluten-free. They will list on the back if it contains wheat, milk, soy, etc. as far as the allergens go. We use the white frosting, milk chocolate and chocolate fudge flavors of frosting.

Since we are dairy free we don't do mac'n'cheese right now, so someone else will have to help you out there.

God bless,

Mariann

[LisaS]

MarryanneQ,

Just some more thoughts