You've Probably Heard It All Before

[YankeeFan]

Hello,

I'm brand new to the boards. I'm 31 years old and I found out that a have Celiac sprue about 2 years ago. Long story short, I ignored it. I didn't care. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted. About 2 months ago, I decided that I will try my hardest to stay on my new "Wheat Free" diet.

I'm sure everyone here WAS IN or IS IN the same boat with me but I don't think I can do this. I'm a young guy, that doesn't know how to cook much. My work schedule requires my to eat out a lot.

I can only eat so much salad. It's hard to stay "wheat free." When my girlfriend and I go out to eat, it's Steak.

I'm come home from work around 8 or 9:00 PM and the last thing I want to do, is cook special gluten free foods. Not to mention I barely know how to turn on the oven.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm sorry if I'm just another newbie, going over the same topic that has probably been discussed 100 times again.

Thanks.

[jedwhit]

HI, I am brand new to the board too...in fact this is my first post! I am 38 and married with 2 kids so I have no choice but to cook. But, I do work so my meals have to be quick and something even my kids will eat. One of the quickest and tastiest things we eat is gluten free pasta. The brands we like best are Ancient Harvest Quinoa, Tinkyada and Pastariso. You can make your own sauce or use the plain Prego...you can add hamburger, mushrooms, onions or whatever you want.

When I have to eat out at work I opt for places like Red Lobster where I can eat peel and eat shrimp, crab legs or lobster with butter...it's tough to avoid those biscuits though! I have also had them cook a plain chicken breast with plain rice and veggies (no sauce) and I salt and pepper it at the table. Most restarants are happy to accomodate your needs if you just ask. I have often asked them to bring out the boxes or the labels off bags of mixes if I am concerned that something might have gluten in it. They make think you are strange but, hey, it's the tip you leave them that they will remember most! You can also try calling ahead to find out from the Manager what foods are gluten free. If it is a chain, you can e-mail the nutritionist and ususally they will get back with you with the needed info.

Good Luck and God Bless!

[YankeeFan]

jedwhit-

Thank you VERY much for the reply. It was very helpful. I'm printing your reply out, so I can remember the names of pastas you've given me.

Can you please tell me where you buy the pasta? I have a "Whole Foods" supermarket near me. It's a "healthy" supermarket. The pasta I buy there is:

BI-AGLUT. it's Gluten free, made in Italy and tastes like chalk.

My Girlfriend cooks for me on weekends, and she makes me Gluten free meals to have during the week at home, but by Tuesday the food either goes bad, or i finish them

Thanks again.

[Suzanne]

Something that has worked for me is boiling a free range chicken, just de-bone and put in a plastic bag int he refrigerator. When you get home at night, you have your protein already made. Premake your salads too. chop carrots, celery, lettuce, etc. put each in a plastic bag. Then when you get home make your own salad bar type salad.

[Kim]

I've been gluten free for over 5 years. Until recently, I was a lawyer with a hectic schedule and didn't have too much time to cook. I also like the Tinkiyada pasta (Whole Foods does carry it). Also, kinnikinnick has ready made gluten free bread (it's the only ready made bread I will eat -- it's good. If your store doesn't have it, you can order online, www.kinnikinnick.com).

Most Tuna fish is gluten free and Hellman's mayo is gluten-free so you can make tunafish. Most marinara sauces are gluten free (I like Muir Glen, but many others are okay too). Whole Foods sells chicken breasts by Han that are either spinach and feta or broccoli and cheddar -- you just brush with a little olive oil and bake in the oven -- really easy and really good.

Amy's sells frozen meals and has many that are gluten-free (again, Whole Foods and most mainline grocery stores carry). Not all are Gluten Free, but they are clearly marked. Glutino has gluten-free ready made individual pizza crusts (get the corn, not the rice -- it tastes better) which I just put some sauce and cheese on.

When you start looking into it, there are a lot of things we can eat. I eat out a decent amount and rarely order just plain grilled something -- I like a little flavor. The nicer the restaurant, usually the more accommodating.

With steaks, be careful as sometimes they put an "au ju" (sp?) on them == i.e., Morton's does and the jui isn't gluten-free. Also, Red lobster uses a seasoning on its fish that isn't gluten-free. That's why it's important to ask. Also, PF Changs has a gluten-free menu, as does Outback Steakhouse.

You may want to consider buying some gluten-free mixes and trying a few new things. You (or maybe your girlfriend) can make and freeze the stuff so you can just pull them out.

Good luck. It will get easier.

Kim.

[YankeeDB]

Here are some of my "lazy cook" suggestions:

-buy premixed salad greens, preshredded (or sliced) carrots and gluten-free dressing (like Annie's)

-whole fruit that can be eaten in hand (apples, bananas) or precut fruit salads

-pan-fry a steak or a boneless chicken breast or thigh

-gluten-free fries (like Ore Ida) (Great on the salad with sauteed steak or chicken cut in pieces!)

-gluten-free cold cereal with soy, almond or hazelnut milk (I'm dairy intolerant too)

-gluten-free hot cereal with fruit or maple syrup

-tuna salad (tuna, gluten-free mayo, onions, and maybe chopped celery)

-sauteed fish (tilapia, salmon whatever you like)

-make a large batch of rice and reheat portions throughout the week

-stir fry frozen spinach with chopped onions; maybe add shredded carrots; mix in tuna out of the can for a complete meal

-microwave potato or yam

-frozen green beans cooked in a couple tablespoons of water

[lovegrov]

Go to the Hormel web site and click on the FAQ. Somehwere in there they have a whole gluten-free list that includes many, many already cooked items. I love the pork and beef au jus in the cooking bags. Yes, both are gluten-free.

Tyson already cooked whole chickens and chicken legs are gluten-free.

For anything that Kraft makes all you have to do is read the ingredients -- they will clearly list gluten.

For fast and yummy chicken wings, cook chicken in your over at 425 for about one hour. Mix some Frank's Red Hot Sauce with butter (the recipe's on the bottle), coat chicken and eat.

I always enjoy steak at restaurants (but be careful at chains because the meat often comes in pre-marinated). Broiled, steamed or pan fried seafood of all types is usually safe. Ask about what spices use (for instance, the spice mix at Red Lobster does have gluten). If they use Old Bay or Zatarain's, both are safe. A lot of Thai food is safe, just make sure they have added soy sauce.

If you have Outback, PF Chang's, or Bonefish Grill, they have gluten-free menus online. Texas Roadhouse will send you their gluten-free menu. Chili's now has a gluten-free list. Shoney's has a book at each restaurant that shows the major allergens, though not rye (which shouldn't be a problem) or barley. A number of the fast food places, like McDonalds, Hardee's, Wendy's, either have a list online or they have a place where you can see all the ingredients. Cross contamination is a big worry, however.

Generally speaking, you're safest at places with a real live chef and a local owner.

If you have celiac, you need to go gluten-free. I ignored warning signs (although I didn't know I had celiac) and ended spending 11 days in the hospital and 10 weeks off work.

richard

[Guest jhmom]

Hi YankeeFan, WELCOME!!!

Abiding by a gluten-free diet can seem very overwhelming and frustrating at first but it does get easier, I promise !!! My 8 year old daughter and I both are gluten-free for a little over 8 months. It was hard at first but once I found items to replace her favs I was better, such as gluten-free choc chip cookies from Mi-Del they are the best I have found.

* I buy items such as Corn Pasta, I like it better than Rice, there are several brands out there that are good. With this you can make Tuna salad, Spagetti, etc.

* A quick dish that I make is Shrimp Alfredo (thanks to a person here who shared the quick recipe). Use the Ragu alfredo sauce, shrimp and corn pasta, very easy to make and very quick. Also all other Ragu sauces are gluten-free and Prego traditional sauce is also gluten-free (which is my fav).

Here are some links to places you can order awesome gluten-free foods:

Open Original Shared Link - they have awesome bread, bagels and english muffins (which is what I use for my tuna sandwichs)

Open Original Shared Link - awesome Brownie mixes for the sweet tooth!

gluten-free Restaurants

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link - it looks like their gluten-free menu section of the site is currently down but keep trying.

I hope this info helps you out.... hang in there!!!

[YankeeFan]

WOW!!

I came on this message board, thinking I would state my problems, a few people would read my post and ignore it, because we're all in the same boat.

I'm blown away by the support and help that each one of you has given me.

I did not know that these places had gluten-free menus.

I really appreciate all the cooking tips you guys shared with me.

Suzanne, Kim, YankeeDB, lovegrov, and jhmom.....I want to say Thank you VERY MUCH!!

I look forawrd to printing out you replies, clicking on your links, trying some of your cooking techniques, etc.

Thanks for helping me in a BIG way, and thanks for the support.

I owe you guys and gals.

[Guest jhmom]

Hi

We are all in the same boat and that's what we're here for is to help one another...... if it wasn't for this site and the people here I would have gone crazy trying to figure all this out and not known what to do or it would have taken me a lot longer to do it

Hang in there

Oh I forgot to give you this link:

Open Original Shared Link

Oh and here are some links on gluten-free recipes:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Take care

[YankeeFan]

^^ Thanks!

I'm going to look at those links now, before dinner.

[kvogt]

YankeeFan,

I dine out often too and understand the problem. If you like oriental you can enjoy any Chinese dish with the white sauce. I take my own gluten-free soy sauce. The problems are any brown sauces, hoisin, black bean, etc. which contain commercial soy sauce (Kikomann). Thai food is generally OK, since Thai soy sauces don't contain wheat. Ask to read the labels. Japanese is a problem since Japanene soy sauce, again Kikomann, contains wheat. Take your own soy (I keep mine in the car). The teppanyaki grill is out, but the sushi bar is OK. Avoid miso soup and eel sauce. Hope this helps.

[dana-g]

Yankeefan,

Also, check out this link for 49 pages of gluten-free mainstream foods:

Open Original Shared Link

Have fun!

Another Yankee fan...

[zippyten]

Hi Yankeefan,

Although I do have to cook a lot (I have children), there are many times I need to make a quick gluten-free meal for myself and it's not always easy. Here's a couple of things that have helped me. If you have a good health food store or Whole Foods you can probably get these brands. Health Valley makes a pretty good canned chili (vegetarian and gluten-free) that you can heat up and serve over rice or pasta; a pretty complete meal with a salad. Walnut Acres makes very good natural soups like lentil, etc. (check the labels, not all are gluten-free).

Here's a quick meal that even people who can't cook should be able to handle. You'll need corn tortillas (most supermarkets have them in the dairy case), a can of refried beans (again, check the label, but Bearitos and Walnut Acres both have gluten-free varieties), and grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. Heat the corn tortillas briefly (about 30 seconds each side) in a non-stick skillet. Take them off the heat, spread them with the refried beans and top with the cheese. You can also add cooked chicken, steak, or pork, as well as jalapeno peppers or other vegetables. Top with another tortilla and heat in the pan until the cheese melts. Serve with salsa (again, many gluten-free brands, including Muir Glen) or hot sauce. This is very simple and quick, and even people who don't have to be gluten-free enjoy them, so they're good for company.

This whole thing is a learning curve;you'll find it will get easier as you go along. And don't just depend on your good-natured girlfriend! Cooking is like anything else you've had to try in your life that you didn't know how to do at first -- you can learn, and you can get good at it. Good thing you're a Yankee fan...if you were a Mets fan don't know if I could help. (Just kidding.) Good luck...

Ellen

[YankeeFan]

Z-

Thanks for all your help also. I'm learning from each one of you and I appricate it more then you'll know.

[celiac3270]

When I have to eat out at work I opt for places like Red Lobster where I can eat peel and eat shrimp, crab legs or lobster with butter...it's tough to avoid those biscuits though! I have also had them cook a plain chicken breast with plain rice and veggies (no sauce) and I salt and pepper it at the table.

Be careful about rice -- although rice itself is gluten-free, be sure that it's not cooked in chicken broth....make sure it's cooked in water.

From you name, YankeeFan, it seems as if you live in NY. If so, here are some restaurant links: at Silly-Yak.com they have restaurants that are or accomodate to gluten-free eaters in NYC:

GLUTEN FREE IN NYC!

The restaurants listed below have been known to have items that are appropriate for a gluten-free diet with intelligent and helpful staffs, but please note that menus, chefs and staff are subject to change - and questions must still be asked.

Enjoy!

RESTAURANTS AND BAKERIES:

These recommended restaurants are part of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program

***Risotteria 270 Bleecker St. (near John's Pizzeria) 212-924-6664

***Gus' Place149 Waverly Place (6th Ave.) 212-645-8511

***BEST ON LONG ISLAND! Caffee Baldo (Italian and Gluten Free) 2849 Jerusalem Ave, Wantaugh 516-22-22ZZ

***American Park at the Battery (across from 17 State Street) Phone: 212-809-5508

www.americanpark.com

Joseph's Gluten Free Bakery, 1712 Ave M Brooklyn, (718) 336-9494=20

www.joesephsorganic.com

Gabriel's Dessert Boutique, 941 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY (718) 477-1414. Wide variety of gluten-free pastries, bread & pizza dough.

Sacred Chow - Hip and Vegan, 522 Hudson Street (212) 337-0863. Fabulous gluten-free brownies, cookies, and energy bars.

www.sacredchow.com

ANGELICAS - Best organic restaraunt in the city! (house dressing is gluten-free) 300 E. 12th St. (bet 2nd & 3rd Ave) 212-228-2909

BROOKLYN DINER (pricey but very good) on 57th St just west of 7th Ave.

COFFEE SHOP on Union Sq. W. & 16th St. They have Brazilian Cheese Bread, which is made with tapioca flour.

BRIGHT FOOD SHOP (Mexican dinner, fun atmosphere) 216 8th Ave @ 21 St

IPANEMA PLATFORMA (Brazilian BBQ) (57th St/btwn 8 and 9th Ave) all you can eat flat rate. Pricey but worth it!!!

AVRA - whole fish - 141 E 48 St

BELMONDO 98 Ave B (steaks) French bistro 358-1166

LUCIEN - filet mignon - (1st and 1st )

OTHER FOODS - 12th (betw B'way & Univ)

ROSE OF BOMBAY (Indian) 326 E 6th St. gluten-free menu

DRUIDs - 307-6419 ? filet mignon - 736 10th Ave (50 & 51)

STARDUST DINER - 52 & 7th - burger or Philly steak sandwich w/out bread

SPRING STREET NATURAL Spring and Lafayette

PEASANT - (Nolita) grilled fish, etc. Everything roasted on open flame. 194 Eizabeth St (Prince & Spring) 212-965-9511

OYSTER BAR - 42nd St and Vanderbuilt (GRAND CTRAL TERMINAL) 212-490-6650

LE TABLEAU - 5th betw A & B - steak au pauvre

EL QUIXOTE - 23rd & 7th - steak / lobster

NEW DELHI INDIAN - tell waiter gluten-free - 120 Lex near 28th - 212-725-3215

EAST VILLAGE THAI REST (gluten-free thai curry ? request "Marys fish sauce") 32 E 7th St (betw 2 & 3rd)

LUNNEYS REST - 46th off Bway ? has celiac waitresses

BROOKLYN DINER - W 57th St (W of Bway) hamburger and steam veg

VESUVIO (Bleeker bet 6th & 7th)

KATZS DELI (brisket and turkey have no added sugars or vinegar) Houston betw 1st and 2nd Ave

Suen - 13th (Univ. & 5th) - (good organic) broiled fish and veg. Great kale /squash. Ask for no sauces. Also sushi.

M&R Elizabeth betw Houston & Prince -roast chicken: $15. Side order of veggies -huge

MARE- seafood ($18-20) / live lobster/oysters - 8th & 20th. (lots of restaurants nearby)

THE DISH - Diner - nice, dark atmosphere, cheap burgers (8th and 20th St)

Centro Vasco - Spanish - lobster fresh daily - 159 W 23 (6th & 7th)

FOOD MARKETS:

WHOLE FOODS on 7th Ave and 24th St. Excellent produce. Lots of gluten-free products. Foods by George Gluten free products in the bread section.

WESTERLY HEALTH FOODS 911- 913 Eighth Ave. @ 54th St.

Commodities Organic market - 1st Ave betw 10th and 11th St.

Prana - small organic market - good produce - 125 1st Ave (6th & 7th)

Healthy Pleasures - organic supermarket w/ meat/fish, vitamins - 10th & University.

If you don't live in New York, you can check for resturants in your area at Open Original Shared Link. You said that you prefer to eat out, so I thought this might be helpful. I personally dislike eating out, so I haven't really consulted these lists and can't offer any advice....

[dianne]

Yankeefan,

I don't cook much either. Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? You can check their website for locations. They have a list of gluten-free foods available at their stores, and on their website. There are some frozen rice bowls, which you can heat in the microwave. Also, some boxed meals by Tasty Bite, which you can easily heat up in the microwave. I like the frozen tamales, too. As you can tell, I'm not very ambitious! Good luck.

Dianne

[cybergran10]

I've been doing this Gluten free diet for awhile now. Everyone has had some wonderful suggestions. When I am not low carbing I llke to take gluten free pasta and do a stir fry and add the pasta. You can add a gluten free sauce and you have a complete meal. Or chilli is always good. I only cook glutenfree so it's been awhile since my hubby has had any gluten, only when we eat out. At a restaurant if I'm not sure of the menu I order A chefs salad. Of course I'm probably not the one to answer your delimma on what to cook because I am an ex chef and cooking doesn't bother me. It's always nice to know what other people do when we have those days that we just don't seem to have enough time to prepare a proper meal. I found some really great helpful information. The only thing I will say is this (I guess I feel compelled to state the obvious) that staying gluten free is essential for us because our lives may depend on it. We cannot digest the protein found in gluten and it plays havoc with our villi, not to mention alot of other things. So please try to find a way to stick with the diet for your own health and well being. Back in 93 and 94 I was angry and decided that I was going to eat what I wanted anyway. It wasn't fair that everyone else could eat anything they wanted and I couldn't. It took a hospital stay, and a lecture from my doctor and dietitian to make me see the light. So don't do what I did, the diet is essential. I'm thru lecturing sorry I just shiver everytime I hear of someone not adhereing to the diet because I know how sick you can get. Have a great day Cybergran10

[YankeeFan]

From you name, YankeeFan, it seems as if you live in NY. If so, here are some restaurant links: at Silly-Yak.com they have restaurants that are or accomodate to gluten-free eaters in NYC:

yup...i'm in NY.

30 min. from NYC.

i added those sites to my favorites.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!