For Those With Gluten Tolerant & Intolerant Family Members

[Guest momx3]

I've been considering this, as there seem to be at least two out of five of us in our house that are at the very least gluten intolerant. If you have both types of people living in your house, is your house completely gluten free? I know there are pros & cons of both, of course.

I ask because my 3yo DD was being "helpful" today & thought she would get a snack out for her younger brother while I was doing laundry in the next room. They dig around in the cabinets & I find her eating pretzels with him (!). I really don't think he ate more than one, I was out of sight for maybe a minute. In fact, I thought I might have even caught him before he got any. I found out that wasn't the case this evening when his skin broke out all over in blotchy red spots & he wouldn't touch dinner.... I know it wasn't her fault, and as much as I try to explain that he can't have certain things, she still likes to share...

So, I just wondered what people in the real world really do, I'm leaning toward everyone going gluten-free. Or does keeping both get easier to keep up as you progress (separate colanders, separate toasters, separate cabinets?). Then again at some point, our entire family will get tested, and maybe we'll all need to be gluten free anyway.

[mouse]

In our house all my food and everything I cook with is gluten-free. My husband's bread is in a tupperware container in the frig and he makes his toast, etc. in front of his toaster. He has his own marg, jelly etc. My grandkids keep all of their gluten snacks in their bedroom and not in my kitchen. The kids for awhile were making pizza in the oven and cutting it on my side of the counter. Since then I only allow them to have microwave pizza as there is a microwave in their room. These are older kids and so that is easier. With young children, I would think it would be easier to go just totally gluten free.

[psawyer]

I'm a celiac and adhere to the gluten-free diet. My wife is not, and there are some foods she has that are off limits for me. Most of what we eat we share, so it is gluten-free. But she sometimes has cereal at breakfast with gluten (she loves her oatmeal), and there are some crackers she likes, including Triscuit.

The foods with gluten are stored on a designated bottom shelf just above floor level (to avoid gravitational cross contamination), and the food preparation area is kept scrupulously clean. Utensils which have come in contact with gluten are washed in the dishwasher before being returned to service.

Jacquie lived with me through the years of undiagnosed celiac and all that it entailed, so she is very aware of what will happen if my food gets contaminated. She does not want to go through that ever again! It seems to work for us. We are the only people living in the house.

[jenvan]

Well, it does make it more difficult and confusing with kids...but we have a system that works well in our house. My dh does still eat gluten...but we have separated things out. He has his own skillet, griddle, mixing bowl, spatula for gluteny foods he might cook. I also gave him a drawer in the kitchen and that is one of place he keeps all of his gluteny snacks, desserts, bisquick etc...so it never gets confused or mixed with something else. Depending on how old your kids are maybe you could come up with a drawer or basket that has the gluteny "off limits" snacks in it or a cabinet or drawer with all the "safe" snacks...you could come up with sticker or sign on the drawer or on packages so they can check and remember its safe or not safe. ie. smiley face on safe packages etc... I will say most of all the cooking is gluten-free in our house, except for occasional pancakes or peanut butter sandwiches dh makes. Good luck setting things up either way!

[jerseyangel]

I am the only Celiac--my husband and 21 year old son are not. (25 year old lives in his own home). This would have been more difficult when they were little. As it is, we have one cabinet and one drawer for gluten foods--cereals, crackers, etc. They are located close together at one end of the kitchen. The two guys eat what they want for breakfast, and eat lunch (usually sandwiches or some other gluten containing food) while not at home. I make dinner that we all eat together. On the weekends, I cook meals that are naturally gluten-free. Since I do the cooking and cleaning up, I have control over the kitchen--which is more than fine with them! I use more paper towels and foil than I ever have before--and I have always used only dish cloths and towels (not sponges) and wash them at least daily. I buy condiments that squeeze out, and they eat butter, and I use Smart Balance so no CC there. It also helps that they respect and understand what gluten does to me, so there is really no problem here.

[momandgirls]

I have kids too, one gluten free and the other is not. Snacks are kept in the pantry in two separate bins (two different colors), clearly marked with their name. We use bright green stickers on other stuff in the pantry and fridge that needs to be kept separate (peanut butter, condiments, etc.). I have two separate toasters and colanders, etc. We have one breadmaker and one waffle maker - we only make gluten free bread/waffles. All meals are gluten free as is all the baking we now do. Really, the only gluten containing foods in our house are frozen waffles, pasta, goldfish crackers and granola bars. It's getting easier over time - we've only been gluten free for four months.

[taweavmo3]

We keep a gluten free house now......it makes life easier for me. I've tried it both ways, and having a combined house with little kids was really frustrating. My older one would get a regular snack, then Emmie (my celiac) would throw a fit wanting the same thing. Then I had to ask my older one to wash his hands before he touched anything, wipe the counter down, etc. It was more work, and I have enough to keep up with as it is!

The only downside I see is that having a totally gluten-free house isn't like the real world. I feel like maybe I've made things too easy for Emmie, b/c she's used to just eating whatever she wants without it being a problem. I'm always talking to her about it, and she'll pretend to read labels, but she still doesn't totally get that she has to say no when people offer her regular food. But I guess she will learn, and keeping a totally gluten free house truly saved my sanity when things were crazy enough as it is with three (soon to be four) young kids.

Good luck, if you end up like us and have everyone go gluten-free, it won't be an issue!

[lindalee]

I am the only Celiac--my husband and 21 year old son are not. (25 year old lives in his own home). This would have been more difficult when they were little. As it is, we have one cabinet and one drawer for gluten foods--cereals, crackers, etc. They are located close together at one end of the kitchen. The two guys eat what they want for breakfast, and eat lunch (usually sandwiches or some other gluten containing food) while not at home. I make dinner that we all eat together. On the weekends, I cook meals that are naturally gluten-free. Since I do the cooking and cleaning up, I have control over the kitchen--which is more than fine with them! I use more paper towels and foil than I ever have before--and I have always used only dish cloths and towels (not sponges) and wash them at least daily. I buy condiments that squeeze out, and they eat butter, and I use Smart Balance so no CC there. It also helps that they respect and understand what gluten does to me, so there is really no problem here.

I was wondering about the sponge. It is so easy for a washing a few dishes if I don't use the dishwasher. I do pop it in the microwave and dishwasher and transfer it to the cleaning supplies after a month or so. LLee

[key]

My house isn't gluten free. My 2 year old son and I have celiac. My two other son's and husband eat the regular gluten food. If I cook suppers, etc., it is gluten free. I do make my other two kids pb&j with regular bread, regular pizza's, cereal and oatmeal. It is challenging for me to wash my hands alot. I don't enjoy this, but I have had a hard time since we are vegetarian to find replacements for my kids. I don't want to take foods that are good for them away from them. I try and always use a plate to prepare the foods on. I don't cook with flour anymore. My kids are not aloud to just get in the fridge or cupboards without asking me. I know at three sometimes they may do this, but my kids eat three meals a day and don't snack, so that isn't an issue. They are fine without snacks and eat very healthy at each meal. FOr now this is what is working for us, but I would eventually like to not be making pb&j sandwiches.

Monica

[Guest momx3]

Wow! Thanks for all of the suggestions! I will definitely use these, especially the sticker idea, which I think my 3yo will be able to grasp pretty easily. My oldest son is 10 and he is very good about asking, but it will be a lot easier for him too.

I think my DH was on the fence about going gluten-free in our house until the snack episode . I'll bet it won't take much convincing on my part now!!

Thanks again for all of the great ideas!

[TCA]

We started off having both foods, but it's just too stressful. My kids are soooooooo sensitive to any cc at all that it just wasn't worth it. Those without celiac can keep their gluteny snacks at work!

[jaimek]

It is just my husband and I in the house. I have celiac and he doesn't. We have an entirely gluten free house. He is a lifesaver when it comes to my eating. He knows how hard it is to avoid cross contamination, so we just got rid of everything and started over. I don't think we really eat that much different, except he uses my gluten free bread for sandwiches. I am actually expecting in January, so depending on how the baby is, we will probably keep some food with gluten around but not much.

[wonkabar]

My 3 year-old son is on a gluten-free diet, but my 17 month old is not. We do not have a gluten-free kitchen/house. However, all of their snacks and "kid-friendy foods" are gluten-free; it's sooooo much easier. Anything that isn't a "safe" is out of their reach. We also have a child-proof fridge lock. (This was originally to keep them from opening the fridge to make the light go on and off and play!) All of the gluten free snacks and mixes are in one dedicated cabinet. We keep their frozen stuff on the freezer door.

My husband and I still do eat gluteney stuff (snacks, bread, pasta, etc), but for the most part I do make gluten free meals. If we have something that's off limits to my son, I just give the kids something else. I'm sure once both of my kids get a little older and want to help themselves to food, we'll be using a sticker system to prevent the "oopsies"! I'm dilligent with hand washing. I, too, use tons of paper towels, foil, ziplock bags and parchment paper. I'm very careful with utensils and cookware--using dedicated pieces as needed. I'm also very dilligent about keeping everything wiped down and preparing food separately. Starting this type of a life-style takes time though; there's a major learning curve. I have "duh!!" moments all the time when it comes to organizing and working with the gluten-free stuff. Once you start to follow these types of routines it truly does become second nature as anything else would.

[mmaccartney]

My home is 99% gluten free. I am the only person in the house with active celiac disease.

There are a few treats for my wife and children that are in the house, but they are never prepared in the house, opened or ingested in the house. For example, Soy delicous makes a great ice cream sandwich. The only problem is the sandwich part has wheat in it. I bought some for the kids to enjoy. While they are in the general freezer, they are all individually wrapped, and they are only opened and eaten outside when I am not home. After which they wash up outside to remove anything from their sticky little hands!

My whole family saw what I went through until diagnosis so they understand the ramifications. Heck, when I bought the ice cream sandwiches, they were both bugging me and bugging me to eat them. Their response almost made me cry! When I explained to them that they can only eat them outside when daddy isn't home becuase they have wheat in them. They were not upset in the least bit, they said "OK, we'll eat them with mommy when you aren't home." I didn't hear about the ice cream sandwiches again. For a 3 and 4 year old to be able to support me that much is sooooooo wonderful!! Most kids would have thrown a fit when they were told no.

going further, we have no milk, no peanuts, no tree nuts, and no eggs in the house either. If my kids are willing to support me by not having wheat in the regular flow of food, then I must support them by not having any nuts or eggs around either!

[penguin]

When I'm not in the throes of a gluten challenge, my house is 98% gluten-free. I cook nothing with gluten in it, and DH is only allowed prepackaged gluten such as kraft mac and cheese (that he cooks in a seperate pot with seperate utensils), crackers, and cereal.

When I have kids, I have no intention of having them eat gluten before they are beyond an age where they'll be slobbering on me and getting their sticky hands everywhere with the crumbs. Mostly the slobber. If they do get gluten, it'll be with daddy or grandparents only. Mommy wouldn't want to be terrified of a gluteny child!

[AndreaB]

My whole house is going gluten free. My husband was willing even before we got our enterolab tests back. The only gluten thing was oats and oat products in cereals. Everyone but my husband (don't know about baby) has an active sensitivity (maybe beginning celiac, don't know how these numbers work). If you aren't comfortable with everyone being gluten free the other posts with ideas on keeping things separate sound good. Your daughter will learn from your teaching her what to look out for. I wouldn't really see it as a problem, children are like sponges and learn quickly.

[mart]

Our house is 100% gluten free. Even our dog food, cat food and cockatoo food are gluten free. We did this because we don't want to cross contaminate our son, who is very sensitive. I am in awe of those of you who do keep gluten products in your house. That is not an easy task by any means. But I also admire those spouses who have gone completely gulten free for their celiac mates. What a wonderful sacrifice! In our case, it hasn't been such a sacrifice. There's so much good gluten free food out there, we don't really feel like we're missing out on much. Anyway, I do agree that there is a lot of good advice here on how to keep a semi-gluten free house.

[CarlaB]

We have a cockatoo, too! What kind is yours? Ours is a goffin and is probably the sweetest pet we've ever had. A few weeks ago he woke up and said, "Hi baby, how ya' doin', I love you, c'mere." I nearly fell out of bed laughing! When he wants out of his cage he says, "C'mere, step up" then makes a kissing sound. I took him to my kids' school today and he let 30 2nd and 3rd graders pet him. He was very patient with them.

What kind of cockatoo food do you use?

[lindalee]

Our house is 100% gluten free. Even our dog food, cat food and cockatoo food are gluten free. We did this because we don't want to cross contaminate our son, who is very sensitive. I am in awe of those of you who do keep gluten products in your house. That is not an easy task by any means. But I also admire those spouses who have gone completely gulten free for their celiac mates. What a wonderful sacrifice! In our case, it hasn't been such a sacrifice. There's so much good gluten free food out there, we don't really feel like we're missing out on much. Anyway, I do agree that there is a lot of good advice here on how to keep a semi-gluten free house.

Would you let me know what kind of cat food you use? I've tried several and my cat goes to the bathroom ALOT! I wonder if he has celiac. He is older and always wants to eat (just like me). I'm real careful with the knife I use to get out his Fancy Feast. I switch around products and even tried some from the vet. Thanks, LindaLee

[aorona]

My entire house is almost gluten-free. Everything is gluten-free with te exception of one loaf of bread, so my husband can make snadwiches for lunch. Myself and both kids are celiac. At first, it was very difficult when the kitchen was not gluten free. After about 2 weeks on the diet, I decided to make our house gluten-free. I thre out everything that contained gluten. It is very hard not to get food cross contaminated. Now my husband has his own place for his bread, and of course his own toaster. We keep the toasters on seperate counters to avoid cross contamination. This work very well for our household. My husband is very supportive of our diet and always make sure the kids don't get any gluten.

[skipper30]

We have 4 kids 6 and under. The best way for us was to put red dot stickers on all the "NO" foods and the we drew a yucky face on it. On the gluten-free foods we put green dot stickers with smiley faces on it. (Bought at the office supply area in Walmart). It has been a life saver for the boys and Cooper knows what he can and can't have and doesn't have to ask. It has also been helpful for other family members visiting our house. They do not have to worry that they are giving something that could hurt Coop.

Hope this helps!!

[NSG]

My daughter was diagnosed over 16 years ago and for many years we keep her food seperate and used seperate kitchen items to prepare and cook her food. Then when our son went to college and I started getting sick, the whole house went gluten free. My husband would eat gluten when we went out, but all of the meals at home were gluten-free. Then, our son moved back home, and he had his own "stash" of gluten snacks in his room. He has had to adjust to the fact that all meals in our house are gluten-free. Having used several variations of the gluten-free/part gluten-free kitchen, I have to say the 100% gluten-free is easier.

[Tony'sMom]

Right now our house is mixed but I"m leaning towards making most things gluten free- breads, crackers, etc. I don't think I could do a 100% gluten free household, my oldest is autistic and eats certain foods that I wouldn't be able to replace. I also have a daughter who requires a different diet altogether.

I wish I could go gluten free, it would make my life lots easier

[Guest nini]

my daughter and I are the ones on the gluten-free diet... my husband eats gluten. He has his shelf with his gluten snacks and foods and the freezer above the fridge for his tv dinners and frozen pizzas... We use the drop in freezer for our frozen foods, I would prefer that the entire house be gluten-free, but he tried once and says he just can't give up his "normal" foods... when I cook meals I only cook gluten-free, I don't cook separate meals for him, if he wants gluten he can make it himself. I get really nervous when I watch him making his food because he is not careful at all about crumbs... for example, making burgers the other night and he makes his sandwich and proceeds to smash down the bun with his hands and then grabbed the ketchup bottle for his french fries... I washed the ketchup bottle after he left the kitchen, but now it's got me paranoid about everything in the house... my daughter and I keep getting sick lately and I can't seem to get through to him the seriousness of being careful. He doesn't double dip in the condiments at least, but I see him with a whole block of cheese and crackers and he's got crackers all over his hands and continues slicing the cheese and this is the same cheese I'm supposed to cook with??? I really wish my whole house was gluten-free, then maybe I would start to truly feel better.

[prinsessa]

My house is not gluten-free, but I am the only one so far who is on a gluten free diet. I'm not sure if the kids have gluten intolerance, but if their tests come back positive I told my husband that the house will have to go gluten free or he can hide his gluten stuff from the kids. I think it will be too tempting to see their dad eating snacks with gluten while they can't.

Right now the meals I cook are usually gluten free. Once I did make fried chicken with regular bread crumbs for them and used my gluten free ones on my chicken. I fried my chicken first and made sure it was no where near the gluteny chicken. I just didn't want to use my gluten free bread crumbs because they are like $5 a bag.....the regular ones are only $2 for a bigger bag. They eat gluten free pasta with me because they can't really tell the difference. It is much easier than making two different things of pasta.