Thinking About Buying gluten-free Database Here

[Debra515]

Hi,

I'm interested in purchasing one of the two different food/drug or just possibly one of the food product lists being offered on this website. Can anyone help me make a decision on which one to buy. I have a PDA, but spend most of my time on my laptop.

The choices are Clan Thompson or Gluten Guard.

I'm in the US if that makes any difference.

[Lisa]

Debra:

Would you accept my opinion?

When I first started this diet 15 months ago, I was totally at a loss and no where to turn. I did some web research and thank goodness I found these good people here. I even have reserved seating. .

I joined the Celiac/Sprue Association and received their list of gluten free products. In retrospect, I found it very conservative and directed to large city chain stores...small town girl, I am.

You need to know that many manufactures often change their ingredients to improve their products all the time. In other words, if a product was gluten free in 2004, or 2005....may not be current if you are going by a list that is two or even one year old.

I would suggest that the better way to find your way through a gluten free life, is a crash course in label reading. It may sound overwhelming in the beginning, but it's the kind of thing that one day, you just GET IT. No gadgets and whatever.

And, please always remember that if you have a quick question for a product, we are here. Most products have a web site that you can e-mail and I have found that most respond quickly and very informative. Many here have posted responses and compile a notebook. (but again ingredients change).

I hope that this was helpful in your decision.

[nannyb]

Hi. I compiled my own database for my PDA using several lists and converting them as well as company lists downloaded from the web for the products I actually use. I have found that the commercial lists are often regionally specific. Clan Thompson for example has lots of products/brands that are not on the west coast at all and the ones around here are not on their list. I don't see much need to scroll through long lists of things I won't ever buy. Otherwise I just hit the company websites or this message board to find out what I need to know. Then I add it to my personal lists for next time.

[debmidge]

I neither agree nor disagree about buying Clan Thompson or Gluten Guard, but I can tell you that I no longer buy the CSA's guidebook as most of the supermarkets mentioned in their book are not on the East Coast. Furthermore, some of the OK products aren't sold on East Coast and a lot of times there had been items I know are gluten-free and they are not in that book.

CSA has a procedure for adding product names -- but the manufacturer has to put the gluten-free statement in writing for them add it. Perhaps CSA doesn't include the items which manufacturers have a CYA statement?

While the CSA book is OK, I have been without an updated copy for over a year now and doing fine by calling manufacturers or going to their websites or checking with the "board" people here.

I might, however, purchase Clan or Gluten G. in the near future but again I won't until I know that the service serves my area of country too. Nothing is worse than having a list of gluten-free food or supermarkets and not being able to buy the items. Also, that's a waste of money.

--- Just my 5cents worth.

[Debra515]

I neither agree nor disagree about buying Clan Thompson or Gluten Guard, but I can tell you that I no longer buy the CSA's guidebook as most of the supermarkets mentioned in their book are not on the East Coast. Furthermore, some of the OK products aren't sold on East Coast and a lot of times there had been items I know are gluten-free and they are not in that book.

CSA has a procedure for adding product names -- but the manufacturer has to put the gluten-free statement in writing for them add it. Perhaps CSA doesn't include the items which manufacturers have a CYA statement?

While the CSA book is OK, I have been without an updated copy for over a year now and doing fine by calling manufacturers or going to their websites or checking with the "board" people here.

I might, however, purchase Clan or Gluten G. in the near future but again I won't until I know that the service serves my area of country too. Nothing is worse than having a list of gluten-free food or supermarkets and not being able to buy the items. Also, that's a waste of money.

--- Just my 5cents worth.

Thank you all very much for your answers and opinions......I guess I'll think about it a little more before I make a final decision. I was very intrigued by the new product scanner on the gluten guard and wondered if it was worth the money. You have to purchase a separate bar code scanner on top of the software.