Gluten And Rice Intolerance?

[WeThreeEs]

My 16 month old son was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance through the blood test. We started a gluten-free diet about 6 weeks ago and things seem to be on the right track. We are also doing dairy free for some other symptoms for the same amount of time. He has always had many GI issues including a severe reaction to rice (vomiting, dehydration, ER visits) starting with rice ceral at 4mos and continuing to regular rice once he started solids. After his dx as Celiac's his doctors told us that his reaction to rice was likely due to contamination from gluten to try the rice again. I was hesitant and avoided it for the first few weeks but it is so limiting. I decided to try it again and see what happened. I have not fed him straight rice but I have given him the gluten-free foods with rice as an ingredient. It seems that these foods bring back a lot of the cramping, foul smelling diapers, and sleep isses that were taken care of with the gluten-free diet.

Does anyone know if there is a possible connection to the gluten problems? Is it a separate issue? Have you heard of any condition that would include rice and gluten problems? My family seems to think it is just the roller coaster of trying a new diet and it is probably not the rice but I am not convinced. We have been off rice again for a week and he is doing better.

I am also feeling quite down about this diet right now. No dairy, rice or gluten seems so hard. Any advice?

[dbmamaz]

I can relate - tho its me, not a kid. I was off wheat and milk as a kid for a few months due to intestinal reactions, but never dx'd with anything. I decided to quit 3 mo ago to see if i felt any better. I quickly noticed that most rice-based substitutes for baked good gave me the same problems - but it turned out it was the tapioca, which i react violently, and is in most gluten-free flour mixes.

However, I then got some testing which put me off of rice as well - and eggs, onions, a whole bunch of things. I was pretty depressed!

But yesterday I bought some quinoa-corn pasta, and it was great! I also managed to make a gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, rice-free banana bread which was ok . . . good enough to put some sunflower butter on and enjoy breakfast!

So first of all, you might want to try to test rice seperately from tapioca, sine tapioca bothers a small percent of celiacs. Pure rice is really the best way to know if rice is really the problem or not.

Then if rice really is the problem, you'll have to learn to get even more creative about cooking. Its really hard - i've been eating mostly corn and potatoes day in and day out, but i'm learning about quinioa, millet, buckwheat, and a few others. Post here if you need help w specific recipes, or do some searches. I only made my first bread yesterday, but i did make some ok tortillas last week, too.

Good luck getting this all sorted out

[gfpaperdoll]

I have recently had a problem with rice. You know they have genetically altered rice, so it is not the same as we used to eat. I do not eat rice or rice flour.

I also cannot eat soy flour, tapioca flour or bean flours, or potato flour.

For baking I suggest you try various combinations of sorghum flour, almond flour, corn flour, coconut flour & cornmeal. I use coconut milk for baking.

Somehow after 4 years I have just adjusted to gluten-free baking from regular recipes. For a banana bread I would sub cup for cup with a cup of sorghum flour & then corn flour & then either some almond flour or coconut flour to fill in the amount of flour needed. It should also turn out okay with just sorghum flour & corn flour, add a little extra of the levening agent & about 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum & it should turn out perfect.

I look for recipes that have plenty of eggs, fat, added dried fruit, apples, bananas, or other veggies like grated carrot. Those type of recipes are easy to convert.

I do not bake bread I just use corn bread. I just sub corn flour for the wheat flour in any recipe & do not use any xanthan gum, cornbread does not need it. you can also make it into corn muffins or fry little corn cakes. You can also make hush puppies, the recipe is a little different, all kids love hush puppies, there again just sub the corn flour for the wheat flour & do not add xanthan gum.

I also suggest white corn tortillas for your little one. heat them up in a skillet & then roll up with PB & jelly, add bacon or whatever else. anything is good rolled in a corn tortilla.

[nmw]

I had IgG (delayed allergy) testing for multiple foods at 18 months gluten free and was shocked to come up allergic to rice. I now avoid products containing rice flour, rice syrup, all forms of rice as well as other foods to which I tested allergic and my gut health has improved dramtically.

It IS possible to be allergic to rice. You could have him allergy tested or just let your son's reactions be your guide, Mom.

[April in KC]

I had my youngest on a completely grain-free diet for many months because of similar issues. I am positive that the primary issue was gluten, but he also seemed to react to corn and rice.

I was told that sometimes people develop secondary intolerances when they are gluten intolerant, and sometimes those secondary intolerances can resolve over time after gluten is removed.

[April in KC]

Sorry - double post.

[Cheri A]

Our dd is also allergic to rice. I bake mostly with sorghum flour/tapioca starch/cornstarch or potato starch. Any recipes that call for rice flour are easily changed to sorghum flour. She loves potatos and quinoa.

((hugs))

[mom-to-claire]

Hi, I'm not sure I'll be much help but your post sounded a bit like my life a year ago. My daughter first had a severe reaction to rice cereal at 5.5 months old. It was her first solid food. Within about 3 feedings she was vomiting so much that only yellow bile was coming up. We did try it a few more times but basically gave up and she was only getting fruits and veggies for awhile. I could write a novel about our trials and tribulations with our daughter. She had the same reaction to oatmeal when we tried her on that at about 7 months. It wasn't until 10 months we tried her gluten free. She has never been diagnosed with Celiac and may never be since I won't make her go through a challenge if she has any symptoms. We are planning a challenge in a couple years. She is only 2 now. ANYWAY..my daughter eats rice all the time now with no problems. I'm not sure when I reintroduced it but it is a staple in her diet.

Feel free to email me if you want to chat. We went through hell for about 18 months (even though she was gluten free and it helped, she had lots of other problems that have sort of resolved with no diagnosis or treatment) Frustrating beyond belief but she is much better now although still has many more illnesses than other kids her age.

Not sure I helped much but wanted you to know that your child might be able to eat rice at some point and not to stress to much about it