Need Help! With The "may Or May Not Contain Gluten" Ingredients

[amberleigh]

I found out I had celiac disease b/c I had chronic D...but it never came back after the scopes (also when I went gluten-free). However, I am having the WORST BLOATING in the world right now. I think I'm getting kind of lax about some ingredients and maybe I shouldn't be?!? I know there is an ingredient list on this site but it's the ones that say "The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out" that I'm having trouble with, specifically...

Artificial Color

Caramel Color

Maltodextrin

Modified Food Starch

Natural Flavoring

Soy Sauce

And then I'm still confused on the chicken broth ingredient. Like, in my frozen chicken. Is that okay?

I've just been eating things that say this, without checking. Could that be causing the bloat/upset tummy? Or is this just a coincidence? Are these things okay to eat? What do you do? THANKS!

[emorgan816]

Natural flavoring should be OK in name brand items (according to the Celiac Foundation). It is the off brands you need to be careful of. But to be sure I would call the manufacturer.

Caramel coloring may or may not - again I would call the manufacturer on this one.

Soy Sauce you need to be aware of - most contain wheat. Again, call the manufacturer.

Maltodextrin and modified starch should be OK if product is made in US.

If I'm unsure about a product I don't eat it until I check with the manufacturer to make sure it is gluten/wheat free. I keep a binder of the majors and keep their gluten free lists in there. Many have gluten-free lists on their websites or you can check their ingredients online. But beware, as ingredients change what once was safe may now have gluten/wheat in it. I know Hersheys does not have a gluten-free list anymore - they say to read the ingredients on the packaging since ingredients change (at least that is what they told me 2 months ago!)

Elizabeth Secora

[Guest kivmom3]

There is a wheat free soy sauce: Tamari Organic, Make sure you read it's ingredients since there are 2 brands of Tamari. It will say, "wheat free".

The other post was good at explaining your other concerns.

I'm newly diagnosed, 6-26 of this year and I just call the manufacturer/email or check my binder on gluten free foods that I purchased.

I hear LaChoy may have a wheat free soy sauce as well but you'd have to check.

If you are still bloated, are you sure you don't have other intolerances as well? That could also be a culprit.

[Luisa2552]

I personally stay away from all that stuff (except soy- Organic Tamari is yummy) unless the item is on the growing pile of lists I have. Sorry I don't have the links. I found most on this site. Maybe someone else can chime in. There are lists of common everyday grocery items already verified gluten-free. I alos got a list from my local Whole Fooods. The only packaged stuff I buy is from these lists or labeled gluten-free or has no questionable ingredients. Mostly I try to still to whole foods and baked goods I make myself. I would also try and cut out the dairy, at leaset temporarily. I found that tip o this site that lost of newly diagnosed with celiac disease can't handle dairy until the villi heal. It has worked for me. I've been gluten-free and dairy free about a month and had ice cream last night with no ill effects! Yeah!

[hathor]

With soy sauce, I've always found that they are quite straight forward in mentioning they are made with wheat right on the label. If one is wheat-free (the exception) the label even says that explicitly on front.

[NoGluGirl]

I found out I had celiac disease b/c I had chronic D...but it never came back after the scopes (also when I went gluten-free). However, I am having the WORST BLOATING in the world right now. I think I'm getting kind of lax about some ingredients and maybe I shouldn't be?!? I know there is an ingredient list on this site but it's the ones that say "The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out" that I'm having trouble with, specifically...

Artificial Color

Caramel Color

Maltodextrin

Modified Food Starch

Natural Flavoring

Soy Sauce

And then I'm still confused on the chicken broth ingredient. Like, in my frozen chicken. Is that okay?

I've just been eating things that say this, without checking. Could that be causing the bloat/upset tummy? Or is this just a coincidence? Are these things okay to eat? What do you do? THANKS!

Dear Amber,

Maltodextrin is safe as long as it is a product in the U.S. In Canada, it can be derived from wheat. Soy sauce is something I have to use, too. Chinese food is my lifeblood! LaChoy is safe, and so if Wal-Mart's Great Value Brand. I know all Durkee liquid colorings are safe. Many sodas are safe, too. Diet Rite is one of them. I have that sometimes. Natural flavoring and caramel color can vary. When in doubt, call the manufacturer.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[amberleigh]

Thanks for all the responses...I just wanted to clarify that I'm talking about INGREDIENTS...not actual products.

I use LaChoy soy sauce and am not asking about the actual product of soy sauce...I'm taking about when it's listed as an ingredient. I believe I saw it on a package of spanish rice my sister in law had (I didn't eat it b/c I wasn't sure). Same with chicken broth...when it's listed as an ingredient.

Thanks!

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Amber,

I know that LaChoy is a ConAgra company. They normally are very good to list ingredients clearly. LaChoy's Sweet and Sour Sauce is also safe. Other items can be more complicated. I myself have been perplexed by broths. I called about the Swanson broth I have and it is alright. However, due to the fact ingredients change periodically, they stressed the importance of calling to be certain upon making new purchases. Many people have said most of Swanson's broths are safe, with the exception of the organic chicken stock. Still, it never hurts to confirm with the company itself.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[hathor]

Thanks for all the responses...I just wanted to clarify that I'm talking about INGREDIENTS...not actual products.

I use LaChoy soy sauce and am not asking about the actual product of soy sauce...I'm taking about when it's listed as an ingredient. I believe I saw it on a package of spanish rice my sister in law had (I didn't eat it b/c I wasn't sure). Same with chicken broth...when it's listed as an ingredient.

Thanks!

Do the ingredients lists you are looking at NOT explain what it in the soy sauce or whatever that is an ingredient in something else? I thought that was required by law, although I'm not sure of that. I know that the products I've looked at will list soy sauce, then say what the ingredients of that is in parentheses.

Certainly if a wheat-containing soy sauce is an ingredient, at the very least the label would have to disclose "contains wheat." (Of course, the allergen labeling law doesn't help with things other than wheat, unfortunately.)

[confusedks]

I was going to say, if the soy sauce ingredient is on there, the company MUST disclose if there is any wheat, but not rye, barley or oats. This is where you could run into problems. Again with the chicken broth, must disclose wheat, but not other things. I'd say MOST soy sauce is full of wheat. Not all, but most. Again, call manufacturers.

Kassandra

[Guest Happynwgal2]

I found out I had celiac disease b/c I had chronic D...but it never came back after the scopes (also when I went gluten-free). However, I am having the WORST BLOATING in the world right now. I think I'm getting kind of lax about some ingredients and maybe I shouldn't be?!? I know there is an ingredient list on this site but it's the ones that say "The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out" that I'm having trouble with, specifically...

Artificial Color

Caramel Color

Maltodextrin

Modified Food Starch

Natural Flavoring

Soy Sauce

And then I'm still confused on the chicken broth ingredient. Like, in my frozen chicken. Is that okay?

I've just been eating things that say this, without checking. Could that be causing the bloat/upset tummy? Or is this just a coincidence? Are these things okay to eat? What do you do? THANKS!

Hi Amber,

About chicken broth: is the broth part of the frozen chicken package? Or are you talking about the canned stuff? Earlier this weekend I saw somebody mention something about the frozen chicken being safe - but I don't know if this was chicken with broth included. But, again, read the ingredients. If you don't understand the ingredients, read about them, "google" them - I find a lot of good information by "googling". Personally, I simply don't trust many frozen food items any more - could be cross contaminated...

Often while shopping I get so frustrated by the lack of information. If I do not know what is in a food, I just DON'T take the chance. I have been sick too long, and have had too much pain to risk it.

My bloating now: I have found that I feel bloated when I eat too much "good" grain - that is, gluten free grains. I am guessing that grains are difficult to digest for me - I do not get sick like with gluten, but I still have an uncomfortable feeling in my gut.

LaChoy soy sauce is safe, but read the label, because I think they have one that is made with wheat, too. I love sushi, but now cannot buy the store made lunch trays because I discovered that there is something they put in the rice that has a wheat derivative in it. I think it is the "binder" they use to make the rice stick together. Anyway, I was heartbroken, but it explained why I got sick after eating my yummy sushi... I had to read and research some of the ingredients, and found the guilty party that way...

My cooking is very simple, and my food is very basic. After 50+ years of being sicker than I ever want to be again, I am extra careful. My food is also getting more and more expensive, since I am becoming more and more aware of the importance of fresh and even organic foods.

Back to the bloating: I am going to do some research on that, because I was surprised when I discovered that eating too much alternative grains could do that to me...

Good luck... just don't give up. You will discover what makes you feel so bloated...

[Guest Happynwgal2]

I found out I had celiac disease b/c I had chronic D...but it never came back after the scopes (also when I went gluten-free). However, I am having the WORST BLOATING in the world right now. I think I'm getting kind of lax about some ingredients and maybe I shouldn't be?!? I know there is an ingredient list on this site but it's the ones that say "The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out" that I'm having trouble with, specifically...

Artificial Color

Caramel Color

Maltodextrin

Modified Food Starch

Natural Flavoring

Soy Sauce

And then I'm still confused on the chicken broth ingredient. Like, in my frozen chicken. Is that okay?

I've just been eating things that say this, without checking. Could that be causing the bloat/upset tummy? Or is this just a coincidence? Are these things okay to eat? What do you do? THANKS!

Amber,

I found this when I "googled" 'bloating after eating':

From: Open Original Shared Link

Gas, burping, or bloating that begins after eating or drinking

Provided by: Healthwise

Last Updated: September 30, 2005

Gas, burping, or bloating that begins after eating or drinking

Gas, burping, or bloating is common after you swallow air, eat foods that cause gas, or drink carbonated beverages. This is normal and usually can be prevented by making some simple changes.

Gas, burping, or bloating after eating or drinking also may be caused by an inability to:

* Digest certain sugars, such as lactose, fructose, or sorbitol. These sugars are often added to processed foods and medications to make them taste sweet. Lactose is found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products.

* Properly absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the digestive tract (malabsorption syndrome). Causes of malabsorption syndrome include:

o Absence or low levels of certain digestive enzymes.

o Diseases of the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis.

o Diseases caused by parasites, such as giardiasis, worms, or amebiasis.

o Changes in the bacteria normally found in the intestinal tract.

o Diseases that affect the intestine itself, such as celiac disease, which often develops in childhood after foods that contain gluten are added to the diet.

o Surgery that alters or reduces the length of the intestinal tract.

o Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Your doctor can check your symptoms to find out what is causing them and recommend treatment. Treatment may include changes in your diet, medication to replace digestive enzymes and help reduce symptoms, and nutritional supplements such as iron.

Credits

Author Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC

Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA

Associate Editor Tracy Landauer

Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD

- Emergency Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD

- Emergency Medicine

Last Updated September 30, 2005

Anyway, this may or may not be of any help to you...

Good luck... I hope you feel better soon...

[NoGluGirl]

Dear hathor,

You are correct. Companies in the U.S. are required by law to clearly list any of the top eight allergens on food labels. This became effective in January of 2006. However, not all companies are following the law as they should be. Many companies are very dependable, such as Kraft, (includes Planters, Oscar Mayer, Louis Rich, and some others), and Wal-Mart's Great Value Brand labels their items gluten-free. There are so many great things we can have from there!

Dear Kassandra,

That is the true problem. They are not required to clearly state oats, barley, or rye on labels. This is dangerous for us. I get so frustrated by that. Luckily, we have a Wal-Mart nearby. That helps.

Dear Happynwgal2,

Chicken broth and frozen foods can be cause for concern. I know many of Swanson's are safe. However, the organic is not. Still, they told me when I called to check on my broth to always call in case ingredients change. Great Value Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts are gluten-free, and labeled. Tyson plain frozen chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) are also safe.

The bloating after meals and gas may be an overgrowth of yeast. Anything high in carbohydrates, particularly fruit, starchy vegetables, or grains can irritate the lower intestine and make your upper tract unhappy as well. If you are like me where you have been on a lot of antibiotics, steroids, and/or birth control of any kind, you are a likely victim of this issue. My tongue is often white, my stomach seems to react to pretty well everything I eat now, and there are many other issues like strange rashes popping up and disappearing, plus severe fatigue. Yeast is one of those things people rarely think about, and it can make you fat by causing you to crave sweets.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Vall]

Is it just that you are having trouble with the warning label? That kind of label is on a lot of products; for instance I have a friend whose son is very allergic to peanuts so she has to scour through the Entennmans boxes to find the donuts that weren't manufactured in the same plant that also manufactures products with peanuts. I'm new at the celiac disease info because I basically self diagnosed myself and am doing the diet as an experiment (feel great after a few days gluten free, feel miserable when I 'cheat' for a day) but what you are wondering about may be that they are just warning you that these products were manufactured in a plant where gluten is present - not that they definitely have gluten in them.

[amberleigh]

Thanks everyone! I feel better knowing that wheat HAS to be disclosed on the labels...although that still doesn't really help us out with barley, oats, or rye. It's just frustrating to have to really look for things, ya know? The soy sauce, chicken broth, modified food starch, caramel color...it's all driving me mad

Honestly, I think I might be eating too many chips (Tostitos and Pringles)...I eat them every day. I'm going to back off and return to the "whole foods" for awhile and see if that helps with the bloating. I know I also need to cut out the soda. Yikes!

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Amber,

No wonder you are sick! Tostitos have had cc issues! I got sick from them! Pringles have gluten. Do not eat them!

They use wheat in their formula. Lay's Stax are the only ones made in a dedicated facility, and they taste just like Pringles. It says they are completely free of gluten on the tube! The rest of Lay's products have had reports of cc. I got sick a couple of times, and will not risk it anymore. On The Border Tortilla Chips (regular) are safe. I heard Mission Tortilla Chips are also safe.

Dear Vall,

Welcome to the forum! I am extremely careful about these things. I do not eat anything made in a facility that processes gluten containing items. It is too much of a risk. The reaction is too severe to chance.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[amberleigh]

Dear Amber,

No wonder you are sick! Tostitos have had cc issues! I got sick from them! Pringles have gluten. Do not eat them!

They use wheat in their formula. Lay's Stax are the only ones made in a dedicated facility, and they taste just like Pringles. It says they are completely free of gluten on the tube! The rest of Lay's products have had reports of cc. I got sick a couple of times, and will not risk it anymore. On The Border Tortilla Chips (regular) are safe. I heard Mission Tortilla Chips are also safe.

Hi there,

Yeah, I checked my Tostitos bags for the serial number and they were fine, no 45 or 71. And I eat the fat free Pringles, those are okay. Well, at least they say they are in the ingredients...I guess there could be CC issues or hidden gluten? Anyway, doesn't hurt to give them up for awhile I suppose. I tried Stax and don't really care for them

[NoGluGirl]

Hi there,

Yeah, I checked my Tostitos bags for the serial number and they were fine, no 45 or 71. And I eat the fat free Pringles, those are okay. Well, at least they say they are in the ingredients...I guess there could be CC issues or hidden gluten? Anyway, doesn't hurt to give them up for awhile I suppose. I tried Stax and don't really care for them

Dear Amber,

CC issues got me with the Tostitos for sure. The fat-free Pringles have Olestra. Many people get sick from that. If they are made in the same plant as the others, the cc could be an issue with them as well. I really liked the Stax. I thought they taste just like Pringles. There are other potato chips that are safe, though. Utz are good. Sam's Wholesale Club carries those.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[lovegrov]

Artificial Color -- I've yet to find artificial color with confirmed gluten in the U.S.

Caramel Color -- Safe in the U.S.

Maltodextrin -- In the U.S., if maltodextrin has wheat it must be clearly listed. This was true even before the allergen law. Maltodextrin almost always comes from corn.

Modified Food Starch -- If the MFS comes from wheat it must be listed (this is VERY rare). You will not find modified rye starch and if there is modified barley starch it is exceedingly rare. I can't remember any.

Natural Flavoring -- Check on it. If from wheat it must be listed.

Soy Sauce -- If it has wheat it must be listed, even as an ingredient in something else. Never found soy sauce with barley, rye or oats.

And then I'm still confused on the chicken broth ingredient. Like, in my frozen chicken. Is that okay? -- If it doesn't list wheat, rye or barley, it's OK. In meat, these must be listed if present.

richard