Safe Meats?

[kyliekatiesmom]

Hello,

I'm new to this group and to this "disease". I just found out in December my 3 year old has celiac and no one else in my family has it that we know of so far. I'm looking for a support group but from what I can figure out so far the CCA (Canadian Celiac Association) has no chapter in my city. Does anyone here know about this program and if it's even worth my while to pay to join? I e-mailed them myself already but no reply yet (a few weeks ago).

Just looking for any useful information or advise I can find out there. Hopefully I can find helpful support here. This is my first post so time will tell I guess. Thanks to anyone who can help..........

What I'm looking for is a place I can ask experienced celiac's what they eat or can't eat mostly. I wish I had the problem instead of my 3 year old who can't really tell me how she's feeling but no such luck. We didn't even know she was sick until she started throwing up weekly past her third birthday. She never complained about pain or anything.

My first concern is meat. How can you control cross contamination if they cut gluten containing meat with the same equipment as gluten free meat? How do you know who to trust? I know Schneider's meat lists all their meat as may contain traces of wheat but other companies don't mention anything. Ziggy's meat admitted to me there could be traces in their meats although it's not labelled. I called Maple Leaf as well but they can't give me a straight answer it seems. They mentioned having to list if contains the "top 8 allergens" but from what I understand this list contains wheat and not gluten in general. I'm getting very frustrated as you can probably tell. I guess this post is starting to get a little loaded. I have sooooooooo many questions I could write all day probably but I'll start with this and see what I get. Thanks for reading and letting me vent a little.

[blueeyedmanda]

I am not sure if you have Boar's Head brand in Canada, I am in the US. Boar's head meats are all gluten-free if I am not mistaken, they have included that info at the deli counters.

[gfgypsyqueen]

I found out about my Celiacs almost four years ago and have yet to find a support group in my area. I we have moved too. This site is full of very knowledgable celiacs. Ask all your questions. People are always willing to help

I am not sure about Canada, but in the US, generally you find a good healthfood store and they can help you get started. Sometimes an allergist can tell you what companies have excellent labeling practices. In the US, Kraft and their subsidiaries always list the allergens in plain English on the label. Gotta love Kraft! Takes the guess work out of some foods at least.

Hormel, Jimmy dean, Sarah Lee, Ball Park hot dogs, Boar's Head, and Thurmans all have good labeling practices.

I would recommend just start calling all the manufacturers that are listed on the products you own. I write on every box and package. It takes the guess work out later. Start making lists of what products label for gluten-free, what stuff is gluten-free, and what stuff your kid will eat. Be sure to check soaps, lotions, toothpaste, playdough, finger paints, glues, etc. Some say you can't get glutened from contact, but I get a reaction everytime. It might be better to keep your child away from contact problems too until you know his reaction signs. (Crayola products are generally gluten-free- I think. But PlayDough contains wheat!)

Lots of "normal" foods are already gluten-free. Like cheeses, jellies, drinks, chips, salsa, lunch meats, hot dogs, etc. Unfortunately you just have to call on everything to get started. The point is, you don't have to have a house full of special food, but you will become brand loyal. (Heinz Ketchup, Mirical Whip Mayo, Smuckers jellies, and Pure Maple Syrup are a standard for us)

You also might want to buy some lists from Clan Thompson site. They have electronic and hard copy lists available to purchase. They help you get started and don't cost too much. I bought all of their paperback lists at first and loved it. I still have them in the car for general info about medicines, restaurants, foods, etc. I write all over them when I get new info.

Hope that wasn't too much info

[kyliekatiesmom]

I found out about my Celiacs almost four years ago and have yet to find a support group in my area. I we have moved too. This site is full of very knowledgable celiacs. Ask all your questions. People are always willing to help

I am not sure about Canada, but in the US, generally you find a good healthfood store and they can help you get started. Sometimes an allergist can tell you what companies have excellent labeling practices. In the US, Kraft and their subsidiaries always list the allergens in plain English on the label. Gotta love Kraft! Takes the guess work out of some foods at least.

Hormel, Jimmy dean, Sarah Lee, Ball Park hot dogs, Boar's Head, and Thurmans all have good labeling practices.

I would recommend just start calling all the manufacturers that are listed on the products you own. I write on every box and package. It takes the guess work out later. Start making lists of what products label for gluten-free, what stuff is gluten-free, and what stuff your kid will eat. Be sure to check soaps, lotions, toothpaste, playdough, finger paints, glues, etc. Some say you can't get glutened from contact, but I get a reaction everytime. It might be better to keep your child away from contact problems too until you know his reaction signs. (Crayola products are generally gluten-free- I think. But PlayDough contains wheat!)

Lots of "normal" foods are already gluten-free. Like cheeses, jellies, drinks, chips, salsa, lunch meats, hot dogs, etc. Unfortunately you just have to call on everything to get started. The point is, you don't have to have a house full of special food, but you will become brand loyal. (Heinz Ketchup, Mirical Whip Mayo, Smuckers jellies, and Pure Maple Syrup are a standard for us)

You also might want to buy some lists from Clan Thompson site. They have electronic and hard copy lists available to purchase. They help you get started and don't cost too much. I bought all of their paperback lists at first and loved it. I still have them in the car for general info about medicines, restaurants, foods, etc. I write all over them when I get new info.

Hope that wasn't too much info

[kyliekatiesmom]

Thanks a lot! You can never get too much info......... I just discovered Chapman's ice cream yesterday which labels as gluten free. Got this advice from another message board and thought I'd pass this information on here for anyone who's reading. Thanks again for your reply!!!!! It's nice to see I'm not alone in the world. What kind of reaction should I be looking for with play doh or lotions, shampoos etc..... I'm guessing rashes? I have put away all the play doh but I can't control everything she'll be doing at school when she starts in September so I'd like to know what to look for. So far her only symptoms are vomitting and small size. It took her three years to start vomitting though so I think it will be hard for me to tell how sucessful we are in keeping her gluten-free. All I can do is my best and hope it works. I guess if she stops throwing up and starts to grow that's all I can ask for. Sorry, I like to think "out loud".............

[Nic]

Not all lunch meats are gluten free. Boreshead and Thumanns are for sure, they advertise it that way. But always check the other brands.

Nicole

[Canadian Karen]

Hi! Welcome to the board!

In Canada, depending on where you are, there are tons of gluten free options for us. I live in Bowmanville, Ontario. Not a big city, but still, lots of gluten-free options here!

I tend to shop at either Great Canadian Superstore or Loblaws Superstores as they usually have a vast array of gluten-free products, sometimes even a whole aisle! Also, remember, there are tons and tons of regular, mainstream products that are gluten free.

Kraft is a company that we celiacs are very loyal to. Kraft is one company that will ALWAYS list if it has any gluten in it at all. So they usually are the go-to company first, especially for condiments, salad dressings, bbq sauces, etc.

For snacks, Humpty Dumpty smokey bacon, ketchup, bbq, sour cream and onion, dill pickle, are all gluten free. Probably more, those are just the ones I eat! The Great Canadian Superstore sells Glutino Pretzels that I am hooked on. Also, there is a company that is called El Peto and has awesome stuff, it's Canadian, here is the link:

Open Original Shared Link

You can get most of their stuff at the Great Cdn Superstore, but other stuff you can order on-line.

Regarding breads, Kinnickinnick is the best bet if you are not going to bake your own. The Kinnickinnick Tapioca English Muffins are the best! Wonderfully moist! You will find them in the frozen section as that is how you buy them. You keep them frozen and take them out individually as you need them.

Regarding sweets, there are lots of options also. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are gluten-free. M&M's are gluten free, but in Canada, Smarties are not! Starburst is gluten-free.

Hellman's Mayo is gluten-free.

Regarding lunch meat, I don't trust anything from the deli. And if you ask the deli worker to sterilize the slicer for your order, you tend to get the "annoyed" look...... At A&P, I use the packaged Sliced Smoked Black Forest Style Ham that is the A&P brand (just the plain white label with black lettering on it).... Other meats I don't know about, as the only lunch meat I eat is the ham.

Kool-Aid is gluten-free, both the regular crystals and the individuals. Crystal Light is also gluten-free. Kool-Aid Jammers are gluten-free.

The best thing to do would be to just ask away. There's tons of really knowledgeable, helpful, supportive people here who are here to help you out. If you are looking for a particular item, post it and we could give you the gluten-free option for it.

Oh, just to make sure you know, as this is usually a sneaky hidden spot for gluten, but soy sauce has wheat in it. But at the Great Cdn Superstore, you can get Tamari Soy Sauce in the gluten-free aisle. Have you checked all your daughter's meds, vitamins and toothpaste, etc.?

Again, welcome to the board and anything you need to know, just ask away!

Karen

[Canadian Karen]

Forgot to mention, if your daughter likes Kraft Dinner, the noodles are out of the question but the cheese packet is gluten-free, so just substitute the pasta noodle for a gluten-free one, and use the cheese packet from the regular package.

Also, at A&P in the frozen section, Pinty's BBQ wings are gluten free. If you like Mexican, Old El Paso Taco Seasoning is gluten free. Instead of the soft flour tortillas, you have to use the hard corn ones though.

Swiss Chalet chicken and dip (not the gravy though!) are gluten free, along with their baked potato.

Outback Steakhouse has their own gluten free menu. When you go there, just ask the waitress for the gluten-free menu, and the staff are really knowledgeable about it, as the owner of the Outback franchise has family members with celiac so he makes sure every franchise opened up offers gluten-free menu and fully trained staff (i.e. contamination issues.....)

For a quickie on the go snack, Tim Hortons Yogurt and Berries are gluten free.....

Jello Cheesecake (the little Jello packages like the Jello pudding), not REAL cheesecake, is gluten-free.

Okay, brain shutting down here, but as I suggested before, just post, and we will help you out!

Karen

[kyliekatiesmom]

Forgot to mention, if your daughter likes Kraft Dinner, the noodles are out of the question but the cheese packet is gluten-free, so just substitute the pasta noodle for a gluten-free one, and use the cheese packet from the regular package.

Also, at A&P in the frozen section, Pinty's BBQ wings are gluten free. If you like Mexican, Old El Paso Taco Seasoning is gluten free. Instead of the soft flour tortillas, you have to use the hard corn ones though.

Swiss Chalet chicken and dip (not the gravy though!) are gluten free, along with their baked potato.

Outback Steakhouse has their own gluten free menu. When you go there, just ask the waitress for the gluten-free menu, and the staff are really knowledgeable about it, as the owner of the Outback franchise has family members with celiac so he makes sure every franchise opened up offers gluten-free menu and fully trained staff (i.e. contamination issues.....)

For a quickie on the go snack, Tim Hortons Yogurt and Berries are gluten free.....

Jello Cheesecake (the little Jello packages like the Jello pudding), not REAL cheesecake, is gluten-free.

Okay, brain shutting down here, but as I suggested before, just post, and we will help you out!

Karen

Thank you so much Karen (and anyone else who's replied)! You have no idea how much you have helped me. Not just with the information but with morale. I was beginning to feel alone in my search until I joined this site. Thanks a bunch!!!!!

[kyliekatiesmom]

Well, I finally got my perfect answer and I thought I'd add it here for anyone else like me who might have been wondering the same thing. A CCA member from a chapter in a different city than mine suggested Piller's meats so I e-mailed the company myself. On their website they have a wonderful link with the FAQs for a list of meats that are wheat and gluten free. In fact, they cover many other allergens as well so if you have celiac or other food allergies it's definitely worth a look. Now if only all food companies could be this helpful. Hopefully it will be something that catches on...... the website is Open Original Shared Link and you can even print it up from the site and find out which stores carry their products and everything. Just thought I'd spread this great discovery. Thanks for reading and replying.

[StrongerToday]

I just found a new Hormel lunchmeat in a brown package that lists gluten-free right on it!

[momof2sn]

I just found a new Hormel lunchmeat in a brown package that lists gluten-free right on it!

Okay, I am new to all of this too!! I am a little flipped out at this moment!! I thought all meats were gluten-free. If it doesn't say gluten free should I not buy it?? What if the product does not have wheat in it, but does not list the item as "gluten free" should I not be buying them? My daughter is the only one eating gluten-free in our house and if it does not contain wheat, oats, or barley I buy it. What about items that don't contain wheat but state they are made in a plant that does?? Am I doing wrong? Her inflamation has gone way down on her intestines and no more diarrhea. She is doing great!!!

Please Help!!!

[StrongerToday]

Okay, I am new to all of this too!! I am a little flipped out at this moment!! I thought all meats were gluten-free. If it doesn't say gluten free should I not buy it?? What if the product does not have wheat in it, but does not list the item as "gluten free" should I not be buying them? My daughter is the only one eating gluten-free in our house and if it does not contain wheat, oats, or barley I buy it. What about items that don't contain wheat but state they are made in a plant that does?? Am I doing wrong? Her inflamation has gone way down on her intestines and no more diarrhea. She is doing great!!!

Please Help!!!

Eating items that do or do not say gluten-free, or made in a facility that process wheat, is a personal choice. Personally, I eat anything as long as it does not contain wheat, oat, barley, rye (incl. malt flavoring). Some people are very sensitive and truly need a product that is verified gluten-free. If she eats a certain food and you notice a reaction, then don't eat that particular food - in my opinion anyway.

[SunnyDyRain]

Okay, I am new to all of this too!! I am a little flipped out at this moment!! I thought all meats were gluten-free. If it doesn't say gluten free should I not buy it?? What if the product does not have wheat in it, but does not list the item as "gluten free" should I not be buying them? My daughter is the only one eating gluten-free in our house and if it does not contain wheat, oats, or barley I buy it. What about items that don't contain wheat but state they are made in a plant that does?? Am I doing wrong? Her inflamation has gone way down on her intestines and no more diarrhea. She is doing great!!!

Please Help!!!

The this is processed lunch meats, they can have fillers that have wheat. Usally if you go to the store and buy a regular fresh cut steak from the meat counter it is gluten free. I have heard though some stores add a solution to some meats to "plum them up"and you have to make sure that has no gluten.

In my diet, I concider unprocessed meats gluten free and yummy.

[momof2sn]

The this is processed lunch meats, they can have fillers that have wheat. Usally if you go to the store and buy a regular fresh cut steak from the meat counter it is gluten free. I have heard though some stores add a solution to some meats to "plum them up"and you have to make sure that has no gluten.

In my diet, I concider unprocessed meats gluten free and yummy.

Thanks so much!! I was in a panick there for a while. That really helps. She has been doing well with things that have no wheat in them so that is what I am sticking too!!!