Ate Unwashed Strawberries

[StrongerThanCeliac]

Accidentally ate some unwashed strawberries (California Giant). Seem to be getting my typical celiac GI response. Any way I could’ve been glutened by not washing them? I haven’t eaten strawberries in long while, but I’ve been fine drinking strawberry flavored hard-seltzer’s. 

thank you

[Kate M]

Could be that you have IBS in addition to the Celiac’s. I do. I can only have 1-2 strawberries, or just a handful of berries with small seeds (blackberries & raspberries), or I have the same reaction as being glutened (immediate purge).

[StrongerThanCeliac]

Thanks @Kate M! Sorry you had that reaction. How long did it take you to get to feeling better? I seem to typically take a week or longer, but hopefully just a few strawberries won’t do that. 

[Scott Adams]

I highly doubt strawberries would contain any measurable gluten, even IF they used straw under them (if heard of home gardeners doing this, but have never seen it done here in California in commercial strawberry fields...and even IF they did it, straw does not contain gluten). Strawberries are a very common fruit allergy which can be quite severe in some people, so I wonder if you could have an allergy to them?

It is well known that commercial, non-organic strawberries use a high amount of pesticides, some of the worst type allowed, so you should always wash strawberries. I only eat organic strawberries.

[StrongerThanCeliac]

9 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

I highly doubt strawberries would contain any measurable gluten, even IF they used straw under them (if heard of home gardeners doing this, but have never seen it done here in California in commercial strawberry fields...and even IF they did it, straw does not contain gluten). Strawberries are a very common fruit allergy which can be quite severe in some people, so I wonder if you could have an allergy to them?

It is well known that commercial, non-organic strawberries use a high amount of pesticides, some of the worst type allowed, so you should always wash strawberries. I only eat organic strawberries.

Scott, thanks for responding. And I don’t know, it has lasted in to today as well. Probably a silly question, but by not washing it……the pesticides and all may have gluten?

[Scott Adams]

Pesticides don't have gluten, you just want to consume as close to zero of them as possible. Some fruits use larger amounts, and types that are more toxic, and non-organic commercial strawberries and well known to be in this category.

[PTArt]

On 6/13/2021 at 10:28 PM, StrongerThanCeliac said:

Accidentally ate some unwashed strawberries (California Giant). Seem to be getting my typical celiac GI response. Any way I could’ve been glutened by not washing them? I haven’t eaten strawberries in long while, but I’ve been fine drinking strawberry flavored hard-seltzer’s. 

thank you

 

17 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Pesticides don't have gluten, you just want to consume as close to zero of them as possible. Some fruits use larger amounts, and types that are more toxic, and non-organic commercial strawberries and well known to be in this category.

Sometimes the strawberries are grown with wheat straw around the plants to prevent weed growth. I avoid strawberries for this reason.

[Scott Adams]

Again, I've driven all over California's farming areas, and don't see any straw in the strawberry fields, but straw is gluten-free, even wheat straw. I am very skeptical of any claim that ANY farm or home grown strawberries would contain any gluten, even if wheat straw were used. A simple washing would remove anything on the outside. Are you worried that gluten would be absorbed through the roots? Only the kernels contain gluten, and even if a few kernels were present in the straw, I don't see how they would contaminate the fruit.