"wheat" On Labels

[teachem]

I'm new to this (less than a week in) and I'm really struggling at the grocery store. With the new allergen law, will all foods that are dangerous have the word wheat, malt, barley, rye on the label? I got the list off this site but it's really hard to remember them or to scan the list everytime I pick up an item. Any help would be great! I'm having trouble affording to restock my pantry during the Christmas season and would love tips that include food found on the "regular shelves".

[happygirl]

Wheat is required by law to be listed and cannot be hidden.

Generally, rye, barley, malt, and oats will be listed, but they are not quite as mandated as wheat is.

However, there are companies that state they will clearly disclose all gluten ingredients. You can find it at: Open Original Shared Link or through a search on this board.

Your best bet it to use these lists and read the label each time. Yes, its tough at first, but its the only way to know if something is gluten free or not.

The problem with gluten free "lists" is that food ingredients change. Thats why its important to always read ingredients, even after someone has said something is gluten free

What specific things are you looking to replace?

Pasta? ---- Tinkyada rice based pasta.

Cream of Mushroom soup for casseroles? ---- Progresso Creamy Mushroom soup

All purpose flour? ---- Bob's Red Mill flour

[Ridgewalker]

Also, Wal-mart's products will be labeled "gluten-free" if they are. I've found this helpful for some things. Their ketchup, soy-sauce, au gratin potatoes are all gluten-free.

Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, and Trix are all gluten-free.

Like Laura said, if you are having a hard time finding something specific, let us know!

Edit-- If you have a Wegman's where you live, they label their products as well.

[blueeyedmanda]

What is nice about Walmart and Wegmans labeling those products, you can buy the store brand and save a few bucks and still have a gluten free product. When I venture to Walmart I use their brand which is good, all other times I go to Wegmans and love their brand, very good.

[teachem]

This helps...I've been to the grocery store a few times but I've gotten a little overwhelmed. I'm taking Saturday and devoting my day to exploring the grocery store and the natural food stores in Kansas City. Exploring the forums has helped a lot. I'll let you know how my shopping goes! Thanks.

[Nyxie63]

Teachem,

I'm fairly new to this gluten-free thing too and like you was totally overwhelmed when going grocery shopping. Was in tears or close to it more than a few times. I've found something that works fairly well tho. I got a 3-ring binder and put printouts of all kinds of things in there. Lists of hidden sources of gluten, lists of brands that clearly mark their packaging, lists of products from tons of websites showing gluten-free products. Its really helped! I've also started making a meal plan and print out copies of the recipes for the binder. That way, I can mark them and see what I need for the upcoming week while I'm shopping.

Hope this helps.

[buffettbride]

Another good thing about Walmart's-brand products, is if they say "processed in a facility that handles wheat" they won't list it as gluten-free, even if the ingredients don't contain gluten.

Buying mainstream products and going off ingredients list really comes down to the trust factor with that manufacturer.

You will notice your brand loyalty significantly increase, that's for sure!!

Our latest favorite mainstream foods:

La Choy Garlic and Ginger sauce--we use it to marinade pork chops! YUMMMMMY!!!!!

Kraft Sweet & Sour sauce--I made homemade sweet and sour chicken last week. Again, delicious!!!

Hang in there, it does get easier. I remember the first time after my daughter was diagnosed and just sobbing in the grocery store because it was so overwhelming. It took 4 hours that first time to weed through all the products. It's only been since May, but I've really got a system down!

[loco-ladi]

I love "Hormel" foods they also are very good at listing their products as gluten-free

I also have a not so recent list at safeway but dont recall seeing a safeway in KC area last time I was there......

I also love the "cause your special" brand of gluten-free specialties, brownies, cookies etc so while your out looking keep your eyes open

Sorry to report you wont get this in a week or even 2 weeks, but it does get easier as time goes by.

[teachem]

Teachem,

I'm fairly new to this gluten-free thing too and like you was totally overwhelmed when going grocery shopping. Was in tears or close to it more than a few times. I've found something that works fairly well tho. I got a 3-ring binder and put printouts of all kinds of things in there. Lists of hidden sources of gluten, lists of brands that clearly mark their packaging, lists of products from tons of websites showing gluten-free products. Its really helped! I've also started making a meal plan and print out copies of the recipes for the binder. That way, I can mark them and see what I need for the upcoming week while I'm shopping.

Hope this helps.

I was just thinking that I should do something to this. I've got a list going from reading these forums. I feel like all I've been doing the past few days is reading these. I love the Wal-Mart brand idea. Finally something cheap!!

[hathor]

The labeling law requires that wheat be clearly identified, either in the list of ingredients or in a "contains" statement. This is not required for barley, rye, or oats. So if any of the latter are in colors, flavors, etc., they don't have to be listed as such. Unless you know you are dealing with a company that will disclose gluten ingredients, any "hidden gluten" possibilities need to be checked out before consuming the product.

Also you should know that the labeling law only applies to food.