Do You Eat It If It Doesn't Say "gluten-free"?

[gemma]

For instance, I've heard that Lays chips are gluten-free (except for Doritos and maybe a few others) and Progresso soups seems to list allergens, and some Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauces, etc..... I've been eating stuff like that (and other mainstream products) for a while now, but I seem to be getting a reoccurance of symptoms and I'm wondering if I am getting contamination. I've gone strictly gluten-free; eating only things that either say gluten-free on them or that are obviously, naturally gluten-free. I feel 100% better already. So, my question is:

Shouldn't we stick strictly to products that say "gluten-free" on them, or that are known to be made in a gluten-free-environment? Does anyone else react to supposed gluten-free mainstream products, like I seem to be? Btw, I do call to ensure that there are no gluten containing ingredients before I eat any mainstream products, so, I'm certain that whatever gluten I'm getting has to be from cross-contamination from production or something like that. I also only use gluten-free toiletries and beauty products, so it can't be that.

Thanks

~donna

[penguin]

I've been glutened by stuff that is labeled gluten free by both Amy's and Bob's Red Mill. I don't really pay attention to the gluten-free labels, because there are no laws governing some kind of thing. Anyone can say their stuff is gluten free.

I seem to be fine with most mainstream gluten-free products.

[teankerbell]

Well, I have been trying Mainstream stuff. I tried Fritos (which I deemed safe - corn, corn oil and salt) for 2 days and they bothered me both times. The first day I felt nauseous, yesterday it hurt my stomach. So I am figuring the corn oil is probably contaminated with gluten.

[gemma]

I've been glutened by stuff that is labeled gluten free by both Amy's and Bob's Red Mill. I don't really pay attention to the gluten-free labels, because there are no laws governing some kind of thing. Anyone can say their stuff is gluten free.

I seem to be fine with most mainstream gluten-free products.

Thanks, Chelse,

I guess that would have been the better question to ask:

What mainstream (supposedly) gluten-free products have affected some of you, and what labeled gluten-free products have affected some of you? My problem is that it takes a while for gluten to give me symptoms - like, I need a building up of it in my system before I see consistent problems, and of course, by that time, I must have a hefty amount of it in me and I won't know where it is coming from.

Thanks,

~donna

Well, I have been trying Mainstream stuff. I tried Fritos (which I deemed safe - corn, corn oil and salt) for 2 days and they bothered me both times. The first day I felt nauseous, yesterday it hurt my stomach. So I am figuring the corn oil is probably contaminated with gluten.

Ooh, that is good to know. I will stay away from Lays stuff. I do eat some every day, and Fritos in particular.

That's exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

Anyone else?

~donna

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Lays Staxx and Ruffles don't bother me.

Regual and flavored Lays do bother me (Go Figure!)

Progresso Soups bother me also (except Creamy Mushroom)

Hormel's gluten-free products don't bother me..

[gemma]

Lays Staxx and Ruffles don't bother me.

Regual and flavored Lays do bother me (Go Figure!)

Progresso Soups bother me also (except Creamy Mushroom)

Hormel's gluten-free products don't bother me..

Ok, good to know. I eat a lot of Progresso Soup. I'm going to lay off the Lays too - hehehe. All of them, though, b/c I figure if some of Lays products are bothering people, they can't be very gluten-free. Perhaps the gluten content in the things that don't bother us is just too low to give symptoms - I'm just afraid it may be doing silent damage.

My options are looking pretty expensive. Either that or time-consuming. You can't make soup in 30 minutes or less!

[elonwy]

I've been totally fine with Fritos, but I know the oil/salt content can give normal people tummy aches.

I eat alot of things that aren't labeled "gluten free". I do as much research as humanly possible, and if I react to something even after that, I weed out what I reacted too and cut it out.

Perfect example - C&W frozen veggies, I called the company, they said everything except products containing bullion were gluten-free, and I still reacted, so I don't buy thier veggies anymore.

I also react to Thai kitchen jasmine Rice, which no on else on the planet has ever reacted to.

Theres the basic gluten thing, and then theres other stuff that particular to you and to me, that we all react to differently. And just because we react to something, it doesn't mean it neccesarily has gluten in it, it may just be something else we're intolerant too.

My BF gets glutened like symptoms when he eats anything with Saffron in it, and he doesn't even have Celiac.

I'm sort of wandering off topic, but what I'm trying to say is, I eat stuff that I can determine is gluten free through research and careful label reading, and I don't re-purchase anything that makes me fell icky, but I don't beleive its always gluten making me sick, I think there are other things my body doesn't like, and everyone in that regard is different.

HTH

Elonwy

[tarnalberry]

pretty much ditto what elonwy said - I'm careful about my choices, and stop eating things that bother me. Not as black and white as some might like, but the best we've got, really.

[gemma]

Hmmm....I guess that makes sense. Darn, and I thought I might be able to figure this out.

Problem is - my problems are in the morning, and I haven't changed anything in my diet. I have no idea what my problem is. Could be that the popcorn I was eating is no longer gluten-free - I used to eat it every night.

A big mistake I made also, was trying too many new things at ounce. For now I will try to stay away from the mainstream stuff and then slowly reintroduce some a few weeks at a time. That ought to isolate it better.

Thanks!

~donna

[Guest Viola]

I agree with Elonwy ... not all tummy problems are caused by gluten, although that's the first thing most of us tend to blame it on.

I find that I don't tollerate anything with a fair amount of oil in it, like Ruffles. Although I seem to get away with Lays Staxx

You'll just have to weed out the stuff that tends to bother you as time goes on.

[angielackner]

i eat fritos with no problem...and also cool ranch doritos...its just the nacho cheese flavor that has gluten. i am pretty sure i got glutened by annie's gluten-free mac -n cheese the last time i had it...i got an itchy throat...but i hadnt been prior to that box...so maybe it was just a contaminated batch?

angie

[sparkles]

Gluten seems to be hidden everywhere....as for the Lays products, they use the same conveyer belts for all their products except the potato chips that come in the box with 2 bags inside. Like some of you, I read the label on Fritos and thought WOW Gluten Free.....but maybe some are and some aren't because of the cross contamination. I am really trying to stay gluten-free and giving up most processed foods even those that say gluten-free and going back to just the basics. But it is so hard....especially when I go out to dinner either at someone's house or a restuarant. Even at home where I have control over my enviroment, I sometimes get glutened. It is so hard for people to understand that ANY gluten is not good for me.... I am also diabetic and there were times when I did and still do cheat on that diet but I am able to adjust. It just isn't that way with a gluten-free diet. When I was first diagnosed, I ate only hamburger and lettuce with lemon on it....I felt great. But over the last 4 years, I have slowly added what I thought were gluten-free foods to my diet and I have started to not feel well again with symptoms off and on. It is hard to think of giving everything up again but I don't see an alternative.

[VydorScope]

I agree with elonwy, and tarnalberry, how ever if I have to choose between to simmular products, and one is lable gluten-free and one is not, I will try the one labeld gluten-free first. Like hot cocoa for example, when I but the instant stuff I buy the Nestle becuase they labled thiers gluten-free, while other brands are also good, just lack the gluten-free lable.

[Lisa]

Donna, Like the others, if you just ate what is labled "guten free" you'd stave to death.

Start with just be basics that you are certain are gluten free. ie. fresh vegies grilled chic or salmon, use salt and pepper and olive oil or corn oil.

Breakfast: eggs oscar meyer bacon, jimmy dean sausage. Egg rolles with corn tortilla. Cream of Rice.

Build your diet up from the basics, keep a food log, to know what makes you ill.

Good luck.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

FYI,

Lays Staxx and Ruffles are produced on dedicated lines (though I don't eat the flavored ones of either)

[Guest nini]

re: Frito Lay's, The Staxx are on a dedicated line and are all gluten-free., Yes the others are run on shared lines, but MOST of their flavors are gluten-free. There are only a few that are not, and I was told on the phone that they have a very stringent policy of cleaning the lines in between batches.

Fritos are just downright greasy. Grease will set off anyone's tummy, especially someone with a damaged intestinal tract that is still healing.

I trust Frito Lays products and eat them with no problems, but I also avoid Doritos and Fritos because they are so greasy. Nothing to do with gluten contamination. Just greasy. YUCK.

I just ate Cheetos today. I eat them probably about once a month as my junk food treat.

[jerseyangel]

I knew about the Stax, but I did not know about the ruffles! That's great--does that include the Natural Reduced Fat Ruffles or just the regular ones? I eat the Nat. Ruffles and the Thick Cut Sea Salted with no problems.

[cmom]

Just a note that there is a new type of Cheetos out that I was going to try. When I read the label, it said "oat something" in the ingredients. So be careful!

[angel-jd1]

I think that it is pretty much like everyone has already said. You have brands that you trust, and brands that you do not trust. Most of the time they are not labeled "gluten free" unless you are in a speciality store. Even then, it isn't a 100% guarantee. You will learn what companies have "all ingredients clearly listed on the label" policies. You will come to LOVE those companies. Eating gluten free is a constant learning process.

-Jessica

For instance, I've heard that Lays chips are gluten-free (except for Doritos and maybe a few others) and Progresso soups seems to list allergens, and some Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauces, etc..... I've been eating stuff like that (and other mainstream products) for a while now, but I seem to be getting a reoccurance of symptoms and I'm wondering if I am getting contamination. I've gone strictly gluten-free; eating only things that either say gluten-free on them or that are obviously, naturally gluten-free. I feel 100% better already. So, my question is:

Shouldn't we stick strictly to products that say "gluten-free" on them, or that are known to be made in a gluten-free-environment? Does anyone else react to supposed gluten-free mainstream products, like I seem to be? Btw, I do call to ensure that there are no gluten containing ingredients before I eat any mainstream products, so, I'm certain that whatever gluten I'm getting has to be from cross-contamination from production or something like that. I also only use gluten-free toiletries and beauty products, so it can't be that.

Thanks

~donna