Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Just What Is Hay?

VydorScope

Recommended Posts

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted

We have been avioding taking our son to circuses, farms, etc, any place where there is "hay". Is that wrong? I am not really clear on what "hay" is and if it would be an issue from a gluten standpoint?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

So I just asked my coworkers, one of whom apparently used to live on a farm in the summers. Hay is dried alfalfa and clover. Some hays could also contain prairie grasses. So I think you'd be ok taking your son to the circus. Although I'm not sure what dried horse food pellets are made of. I do remember someone on here being concerned with horses and wearing a mask when riding and brushing the horse. Maybe you could search for that thread.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

Here's a link to some descriptions of different kinds of hay: Open Original Shared Link

Daxin Explorer
Daxin
Posted

Vincent,

Yes, take it from a farm boy, hay is the dried up, baled up leavings from alfalfa and other grasses used in livestock feed and bedding. There should not be any gluten in it.

Straw on the other hand is, at least when I grew up, what we called the grain stalkes that were left over and baled up. Normally used for bedding.

Hope that helps.

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted
Vincent,

Yes, take it from a farm boy, hay is the dried up, baled up leavings from alfalfa and other grasses used in livestock feed and bedding. There should not be any gluten in it.

Straw on the other hand is, at least when I grew up, what we called the grain stalkes that were left over and baled up. Normally used for bedding.

Hope that helps.

Yes, you are correct Ryan. Hay is just grass usually, which is often what's made into bails, and straw is the grain thats on the fields. I know you've probably seen both these pics but i can show you the difference:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/num...yofIMG_4053.webp << Straw, from what i think is a wheat field?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/num...an/IMG_3791.webp <<hay bales..you can tell hay is just loose and usually darker. It's also safe to be around..on the farm we don't actually farm anymore, just have some very old bits of alfalfa left and a lot of wild grasses and sprouted schrubs. Dad usually gets a guy to cut it and make bales. And sometimes the grass is knee high and I get no reaction (I am a VERY sensative Celiac)

Hope I help you too. :)

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Well what would be at places with horses/etc ? Circuses, Pumpkin patches, etC/

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I bet it would be at those places because they use it in stables and bedding.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted
Well what would be at places with horses/etc ? Circuses, Pumpkin patches, etC/

Even if the hay/straw were safe, don't horses eat and roll in oats??? I don't think this would matter for circuses and what not, but I'd be wary of pony rides and the like.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Vincent:

I would stay away from petting zoos. Many times the children will be allowed to feed the animals with various grains and then pet the animals. BIG second hand gluten there.

shayesmom Rookie
shayesmom
Posted
We have been avioding taking our son to circuses, farms, etc, any place where there is "hay". Is that wrong? I am not really clear on what "hay" is and if it would be an issue from a gluten standpoint?

I do take my dd to petting farms and zoos. The straw is often wheat straw and if we're not careful, she does react. This happened twice before we figured out what was going on. Since then, we've managed to go to the petting farm and zoos safely by taking a few preventative measures.

We usually have dd wear a jacket or sweatshirt so that when we're done feeding the animals, we can just remove it and not worry about straw or oats being on her clothing. We ALWAYS bring along wipes and make sure she washes her hands and arms thoroughly after feeding the animals. And in general, we have been going to farms which are in rural areas so there is grass or clover near the pens. Dd picks the grass for the ponies and feeds that to them instead of the straw. It's much easier that way...not to mention that the animals like fresh grass and clover much more than hay.

Push comes to shove....bring an extra pair of shoes and a change of clothes. That way, if your son walks through straw, he won't be tracking it back into your house. And in all honesty, barns can be a bit dirty...so it's probably best to have separate "outdoor" shoes. ;)

I hope that you find a way to work these experiences in without having to sacrifice his health and well-being. It really can be a tough thing to develop a sense of normalcy considering the extreme nature of our kids' reactions at times. I hope it works out for you.

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted

When you say farms...did you mean just a friends farm or some huge one with tons of animals? that could make a difference too in how much you should worry about contamination. I dunno what its like in the US, the farms and whatever they have at fairs for petting animals..I grew up in a major farming community..this whole damn province's biggest business is farming :lol:. So i've never done anything more than just go to a friends or relatives place who has some sort of cattle or sheep or horses...

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Think more along the lines of events like Pumpkin Rides, or petting smelly farm animals, those kinds of things. This is coming up agian cause the circus is in town... still not sure I am clear on if that is safe or not. I am just dense today! :blink::huh:

Kibbie Contributor
Kibbie
Posted

I've taken my daughter to farms, circuses, and even let her feed the animals at the petting zoo :) She's 2 now and knows that she can't eat anything with Gluten in it so I tell her that it has gluten in it and we need to wash her hands after :)

Its a royal pain from my point of view because I have to be a watch dog to make sure she doesn't put it in her mouth and to make sure we wash down her arms, hands an fingers right after but from worth it to see her have fun.

We have had no reactions when doing this either! :)

I'm a firm believer that kids should be put in situations where gluten is around them so they learn how to avoid it and what to do if they come in contact with it. Our house is gluten free so my daughter has to learn somewhere :) I know others are not comfortable with this position but to each is own :) As the parent you need to do what you are comfortable with and leave it at that :) :)

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted
Think more along the lines of events like Pumpkin Rides, or petting smelly farm animals, those kinds of things. This is coming up agian cause the circus is in town... still not sure I am clear on if that is safe or not. I am just dense today! :blink::huh:

WHAT are pumpkin rides?? Sorry but I honestly never heard of that!

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Pumpkin Rides... best done after the first freeze. Its where you get a huge pumpkin, climb on top out and ride it down an icy hill! Great fun, esply when you crash at the bottom and the pumpkin goes to gooey pieces all over!

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author
Pumpkin Rides... best done after the first freeze. Its where you get a huge pumpkin, climb on top out and ride it down an icy hill! Great fun, esply when you crash at the bottom and the pumpkin goes to gooey pieces all over!

While I was joking... that sure does sound like fun! LOL! I was thinking "Hay rides" around Halloween.... :)

Cam's Mom Contributor
Cam's Mom
Posted

:rolleyes:

I think it was I who raised the issue of horses previously. My daugter loves them and would be devestated without them. And, while she is perfectly willing to live her life without gluten and not complain about it, living without horses seems to not be an option for her. So this is what we do:

she does not feed the horses, she wears gloves when grooming and riding, she does not muck stalls (which she seems to not mind!). She always changes her clothes and washes her hands after being around the horses. We also limit the exposure to a couple of hours at a time, no long days at farm camp for her. So far we've had no problems.

I see no problem at all with going to a circus in fact I think it is probably a really good idea to go and have some FUN!! I hope you go and enjoy.

Barb

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,329
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    klkarius
    Newest Member
    klkarius
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.