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How to work through food paranoia


MegRCxx
Go to solution Solved by Scott Adams,

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MegRCxx Newbie

I have recently started a gluten free diet (waiting for confirmation via endoscope biopsies) I had started to reduce after the biopsy and then had a McDonald’s which confirmed to me my suspicions so decided to go full gluten whilst on holiday as i wanted to enjoy myself, since being back i have noticed that i have got increasingly more anxious due to feeling sick when i had accidentally eaten some on holiday. And not im reading labels worrying if everything doesnt state is gluten free but the ingredients look like they check out may still have gluten in.

 Im panicking myself making myself feel worse and seem to be at a bit of a loss, i dont know anyone else with coeliac disease and am finding it all quite overwhelming.

any advice is greatly appreciated:)


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Scott Adams Grand Master

The short answer is that it would be good for you to learn more about how to read labels, but sticking to looking for "gluten-free" on packaged foods is a great place to start.

This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):

   If you have some time for a good read, here is chapter 1 of a full book published on Celiac.com that deals with the social aspects of celiac disease:

 

MegRCxx Newbie

Thank you @Scott Adams!! I will definitely have a read through these! If anyone is curious to what i had eaten and am worried about it was the tescos finest frozen bourginoun and creamy mash, only allergen stated was milk but it does contain yeast extract which i am aware can be a bit of an odd one.

Once again thank you 🙏🏻 

trents Grand Master

@MegRCxx, it is common for people with celiac disease to have other food intolerances as well. Most common offenders are oats (even gluten free oats) and dairy. Soy, eggs and corn are less common but not rare. So, factor into your consideration.

  • Solution
Scott Adams Grand Master

The following two lists are very helpful for anyone who is gluten sensitive and needs to avoid gluten when shopping.

It's very important to learn to read labels and understand sources of hidden gluten, and to know some general information about product labelling--for example in the USA if wheat is a possible allergen it must be declared on a product's ingredient label like this: Allergens: Wheat.

 

 

 

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    • Scott Adams
      That’s a really insightful observation about antibody testing and the gluten challenge! You’re absolutely right that antibody levels can remain elevated for months or even years after going gluten-free, especially if there’s ongoing cross-contamination or occasional slip-ups. The immune system doesn’t reset overnight—it can take time for antibodies like tTG-IgA to normalize, which is why many doctors recommend waiting at least 6–12 months of strict gluten-free eating before retesting. For someone who’s been gluten-free for less than two years or hasn’t been meticulous about avoiding cross-contact, there’s absolutely a chance they’d still test positive, since even small amounts of gluten can keep antibodies elevated. This is partly why the gluten challenge (where you eat gluten before testing) exists—it’s designed to provoke a measurable immune response in people who’ve been gluten-free long enough for antibodies to drop. But you raise a great point: the challenge isn’t perfect, and false negatives can happen if the timing or amount of gluten isn’t sufficient to trigger a strong antibody response. This is why diagnosis often combines antibody tests with other tools like genetic testing or endoscopy. Your question highlights just how nuanced celiac testing can be! For people with celiac disease hidden gluten in their diets is the main cause of elevated Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibodies (tTG-IgA), but there are other conditions, including cow's milk/casein intolerance, that can also cause this, and here is an article about the other possible causes:      
    • Betsy Crum
      Thank you for your response! I have considered starting a food diary in the past, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start.  
    • Betsy Crum
      I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input! 
    • trents
      I remember reading an article summarizing testing done by Gluten Free Watchdog on several brands of dried lentils. They were all heavily cross contaminated with wheat and the commentary was to the effect that dried lentils in general were the most heavily cross contaminated product category in their testing data base. So, I would definitely not use any dried lentil product that was not tested to be Gluten Free (<20ppm of gluten) or Certified Gluten Free (<10ppm of gluten).
    • Scott Adams
      While spices, lentils, beans and chickpeas are naturally gluten-free, the main concern with any brand is cross-contamination during processing and packaging. Since Suraj doesn't appear to certify their products as gluten-free or use dedicated gluten-free facilities, there is some risk of trace gluten exposure, especially with their corn flour which could be milled on shared equipment with gluten-containing grains. For absolute safety, I'd recommend looking for brands that are certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO - good options include McCormick for spices, TruRoots or Bob's Red Mill for lentils and beans, and Anthony's for corn flour. That said, if you need to use Suraj products, be sure to carefully check labels for any wheat warnings, thoroughly rinse lentils and beans before cooking, and consider contacting the manufacturer directly to ask about their gluten testing protocols. Many in our community have found that investing in certified gluten-free brands gives them greater peace of mind and helps avoid accidental gluten exposure, especially for higher-risk items like flours.
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