Ingredients And Avoiding Gluten

[ksb43]

I'm fairly new to the gluten-free diet, and I was just wondering. A lot of people on here talk about contacting manufacturers for more info for everything from foods to hygene products.

My first question is if the ingredients are listed on a package, shouldn't you be able to tell if the product has gluten or not? Like if you have a jar of peanut butter and the ingredients are peanuts and salt, would you still need to contact the people that make it? I don't really understand why. I thought wheat had to be listed on all products if it was an ingredient.

Also, shampoos, hand lotions, etc. Does it really matter if these have gluten in them? I personally don't enjoy eating my hand lotion. I realize its a matter of contaminated something else you might eat, but how are you supposed to know if your lotion has gluten.

You could go crazy with this stuff to the point where you only eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish (which I would be all for, but I'd imagine it's not easy). Right now I live at home and my parents will make pasta or something and I know that it's possible that the pasta leaves residue behind, or the dish washer isn't quite thorough enough. How can anyone possibly avoid gluten completely. Do I have to move out, have a place sanitized and stay at home in a bubble with my own garden for fear that a bread crumb is floating in the air somewhere outside which I could possibly inhale? It's crazy!

[Lisa]

I'm fairly new to the gluten-free diet, and I was just wondering. A lot of people on here talk about contacting manufacturers for more info for everything from foods to hygene products.

My first question is if the ingredients are listed on a package, shouldn't you be able to tell if the product has gluten or not? Like if you have a jar of peanut butter and the ingredients are peanuts and salt, would you still need to contact the people that make it? I don't really understand why. I thought wheat had to be listed on all products if it was an ingredient.

Also, shampoos, hand lotions, etc. Does it really matter if these have gluten in them? I personally don't enjoy eating my hand lotion. I realize its a matter of contaminated something else you might eat, but how are you supposed to know if your lotion has gluten.

You could go crazy with this stuff to the point where you only eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish (which I would be all for, but I'd imagine it's not easy). Right now I live at home and my parents will make pasta or something and I know that it's possible that the pasta leaves residue behind, or the dish washer isn't quite thorough enough. How can anyone possibly avoid gluten completely. Do I have to move out, have a place sanitized and stay at home in a bubble with my own garden for fear that a bread crumb is floating in the air somewhere outside which I could possibly inhale? It's crazy!

kbs Welcome!

You are correct in stating that products that contain wheat must be listed by law. But, malt, rye and barley are still out there and can hide in "natural flavorings" ans spices. That is why, "when in doubt, call the company". Wheat free does not mean gluten free.

Shampoos and lotions are up to your own discretion. Shampoo can find it's way into your mouth during a shower or running your hands through you hair. Lotions on your hands can also find its way into your mouth. Some people here are very strict about it and others not as much.

For the most part, a good run in the dishwasher will take care of any residue from gluten. I would be very careful about a shared toaster, cutting boards and scratched non-stick pots and pans. Tha't a good place for gluten to hide.

The diet is not as bad as it apprears at first. After a while it will become second nature to you. If you take certain precautions in the beginning, you should see a big improvement in your health.

Good luck

[JennyC]

You will need your own non-stick pans, if you use that kind, toaster, strainer, or anything wooden or plastic, including cutting board. When I cook for my son I basically act like there is poison everywhere. I do not put any food directly on any surface in my kitchen. I also do not put any gluten free kitchen utensils that I am cooking with or that my son will eat with on any surface. I put a clean kitchen rag or a paper towel under them. I bought everything new. I admit I may be a little paranoid.

Barley, rye and oats can hide in ingredients as mentioned above. There are a number of companies that will not hide their gluten. My favorite mainstream companies are General Mills and Kraft. If there are products you like and you suspect they might be gluten free, then you should call the company.

Here's a list of mainstream companies that will not hide their gluten:

Open Original Shared Link

I make sure that I use gluten free body and hair products--just in case. Dove is a pretty popular gluten free shampoo & conditioner brand.

[goldyjlox]

I hear you. I am about a week into this whole gluten free life and it sucks. I to think that it is crazy that I have to change everything as my house is not a gluten free house and wont be, I did however buy a new toaster,cutting board, strainer, wooden spoon, flipper. I know that my pans have scratches in them and I am willing to buy a new cheap frying pan, but not new pots!! I use my same shampoo and conditioner, my doctor wasnt to concerned about those, as long as it doesnt get in your mouth. I still bake with real flour, its impossable not too with my husbands side of the family!!! I just have to be careful.

I too thought what a pain to call suppliers about their products but today I had to call Kraft and they were amazing, very helpful and I am happy to say that my favorite salad dressing is gluten free (Sundried Tomato with Oregano). I am a really picky eater, I had bread so this should be easier for me, I eat alot of fresh fruit and veggies, all my dinners are gluten free and that is the easiest meal to cook.

It will take time, I am a severe celiac so I know how important it is to change my diet. And I have two small children that need their mommy and that is my modivation. So good luck with it...your not alone thats for sure, this seems to be popping up everywhere....I live in a small town and its amazing how many Celiacs are here!!! Blows my mind.

[Guest j_mommy]

I've been gluten-free since May and I have to rarely call/email anymore unless it's a new product I haven't tried!

As lisa said wheat is supposed to be listed but that leaves rye, barley and oats. Many places are getting much better about labeling. Alot of generic brands will actually say gluten-free on them(ie Walmart store brand)

You don't have to live ina bubble but you do have to take precautions...I have a gluten-free kitchen...others that don't have suggested getting a rubbermaid to store just your kitchen items!

I personally don't worry about topicals...shampoo, lotion, TP or paper towels! But that is up to each person!

Good Luck and Welcome!

[Mango04]

My first question is if the ingredients are listed on a package, shouldn't you be able to tell if the product has gluten or not? Like if you have a jar of peanut butter and the ingredients are peanuts and salt, would you still need to contact the people that make it? I don't really understand why. I thought wheat had to be listed on all products if it was an ingredient.

Hi. I've been gluten-free for four years, and I've only contacted food manufacturers...maybe twice in that entire time. If I were to pick up a product that said "peanuts and salt," I would assume it was safe and I would eat it. If the ingredients are that simple and straightforward, I would not worry about hidden gluten content.

However, if you pick up a highly processed item that includes things like "coloring, artificial flavoring, spices, dextrins...and a bunch of impossible to pronounce words, AND the products is not made by a company that will always disclose gluten...and you really want to eat that particular product...then, maybe, you would pick up the phone and call. Personally, I think it's easier to just make better food choices and buy products that don't contain such impossible-to-decipher junk...it's WAY easier and just less of a headache.

Don't drive yourself crazy. Just start with the simple stuff (like that peanut butter) as you learn what's safe and what isn't.

[hathor]

There was recently a thread about folks being glutened by hair products, so it does happen. I don't see any reason to go with a product that contains wheat, for instance, if you can easily find an alternative that doesn't.

I wouldn't worry as much about shampoo; that gets washed out immediately. (Although someone recently said in a post elsewhere that anything that gets into your eye goes into your system.) I personally have found my digestive track got the best it's been in my life after I cut out the hair gel I was using that had wheat protein in it. (They listed it right there. As I've discovered, many do.) Hair gel doesn't get washed out. After realizing all the times I would touch my hair (even restyling with wet fingers), I had to be honest that I didn't carefully scrub my hands each time, and certainly not to the extent necessary to get any stray gluten from under my fingernails. The wheat protein is in there to begin with to act like a glue, after all.

Once you accept that a product can get on your fingers at some point and is not completely washed off immediately, the potential for glutening occurs. Fingers go into your mouth -- eating, flossing, taking pills, etc. I didn't realize all the times this happens for me (or that my fingers would go into my hair) until I read the hair product glutening thread and then saw what my hair gel contained!

[goldyjlox]

I use hair gel also and never thought about that. Can I ask what brand you use or where Ican find that thread??

Thanks. (sorry off topic)

[mftnchn]

I'll just add that I have read a number of people on the forum that only learned eventually by experience that they need to cut out any gluten containing personal products. They do not at all seem to be over-reacting when you read their stories.

Based on that, I decided I needed to make the effort to eliminate those things. When I did eliminate the soap, shampoos and makeup, I saw a clear step of improvement.

I'd just tackle one thing at a time. After all this is a life-time change.

[ksb43]

Thanks for the responses. Good to know other people are thinking about the same kind of stuff. It's still quite overwhelming. What I would really like to do is cut out all processed foods as lately they have started to freak me out. It doesn't seem natural to eat something thats contains 57 ingredients only 7 of which you can pronounce. But as I said, its kind of hard when you live with other people who eat normally.

Controlling food at home is difficult, but eating out is impossible. You can talk to the waiter and the chef and they can be as helpful as possible, but the fact is you still can never be sure how they're preparing their food. I've stuck to the few restaurants that have gluten-free menus (Cheeseburger in Paradise, Outback, and my favorite P.F. Changs), but you still can't be too sure they know what they're doing. A hostess at Cheeseburger in Paradise once asked me "what is gluten?!"

And forget about traveling without making a huge deal about planning. Even for a recent 1 night stay at the jersey shore, I had to make sure to get a room with a fridge and bring my own food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I can't imagine what I'd do if I went somewhere for a week.

Work is annoying too. I already get enough comments about eating healthy...thats right people actually make fun of me for eating healthy...who would've thought. I can't imagine the barrage of questions and comments I would get if people knew I couldn't eat gluten. "You mean you can't eat pizza? What about beer? Wait, no pizza?" It's ridiculous that I'm the youngest person in the office and I'm the only one that's mature. I don't go around and yell at the people who eat junk food all the time.

And is it just me or has anyone else noticed that people seem to be eating a lot more cakes and cookies and bagels and pizza ever since you had to stop?!

Sorry, I just haven't really had a chance to vent about this before.

Kevin

[hathor]

I use hair gel also and never thought about that. Can I ask what brand you use or where Ican find that thread??

Thanks. (sorry off topic)

The thread I was referring to was Open Original Shared Link

But I've seen the subject mentioned before.

I had been using a couple Redken products, Clean Lift and Rewind (if I can remember correctly). Both say they have hydrolyzed wheat protein and hydrolyzed wheat starch in them. When I went to the hair salon the other day, we were finding the same ingredients in many gels. One just said "vegetable starch" but I was unwilling to trust that; it could be wheat, or partially wheat, or sometimes wheat depending on what starch is cheapest at the time. I decided to go with a mousse instead, Redken's Full Frame, and also bought a styling wax made by Prive.

[goldyjlox]

thanks for the link.