Gluten In Cheese?

[CCM]

Thanks for bringing up the topic of cheese...really one of my favorite foods and now off limits for me, at least temporarily. I don't know if it's lactose or casein intolerance but I feel so lousy that I am really not ready to get sick again just to find out. Trying to let myself heal a bit longer.

I did notice the other day while shopping for my family that the Boar's Head brand does do a good job labeling its deli meats and cheeses. But I was confused because my grocery store carried two slightly different kinds of swiss cheese...one package said lactose-free while the other package said gluten-free. This made me wonder if in fact the lactose-free cheese was not gluten-free (processed in some way?) I have never seen a true dairy cheese labeled gluten-free yet, but then I have not really been looking since it makes me sick.

Meline, I am curious to know more about celiac disease in Greece, I believe it is very low. How difficult is it to avoid? I also have to avoid dairy, potatoes and tomatoes right now, all of which I frankly find much harder to avoid than gluten. My husband and I would like to visit Greece again, it has been about 10 years since we were married there, and we do miss our friends. I worry about getting sick there, however.

[happypoole]

Hello

Just joined this sight and it seems really great! As far as I know they put flour in catering cheese when it has been grated. This is to stop it sticking together. It effects me really badly so it must be really cheap flour.

[CCM]

Yes, grated cheese products contain wheat flour to prevent sticking, but you can find clearly labeled, which makes it easier to avoid.

[MELINE]

The info from the first link was:

"When individuals with celiac disease ingest gluten, the villi, tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food, are damaged. This is due to an immunological reaction to gluten. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients -- proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, in some cases, water and bile salts. If celiac disease is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders -- both nutritional and immune related."

Thank you happy girl... I totally understand now what villy is.. I didn't know all these things.

[MELINE]

Thanks for bringing up the topic of cheese...really one of my favorite foods and now off limits for me, at least temporarily. I don't know if it's lactose or casein intolerance but I feel so lousy that I am really not ready to get sick again just to find out. Trying to let myself heal a bit longer.

I did notice the other day while shopping for my family that the Boar's Head brand does do a good job labeling its deli meats and cheeses. But I was confused because my grocery store carried two slightly different kinds of swiss cheese...one package said lactose-free while the other package said gluten-free. This made me wonder if in fact the lactose-free cheese was not gluten-free (processed in some way?) I have never seen a true dairy cheese labeled gluten-free yet, but then I have not really been looking since it makes me sick.

Meline, I am curious to know more about celiac disease in Greece, I believe it is very low. How difficult is it to avoid? I also have to avoid dairy, potatoes and tomatoes right now, all of which I frankly find much harder to avoid than gluten. My husband and I would like to visit Greece again, it has been about 10 years since we were married there, and we do miss our friends. I worry about getting sick there, however.

Hello!

That cheese thing was actually strange! I would also think that the lactose free cheese has gluten....Me too I have never seen a non gluten cheese...I searched the net and didn't find anything about cheese and gluten...Just that some processed cheese may be non safe and some yellow cheese may have traces of oats...

Celiac and greece are no good friends!!! People here never heard of that thing. My doctor was trying to remember what that thing is. The rate is 1 in 11.000 people. In Athens you can find about 50 stores that have gluten-free products but don't expect to find many things. Just some bread and pasta and some cookies. No way you find a restaurant that has gluten-free food. Sorry to disappoint you!!You must also keep in mind that people here have a different opinion about food.....Especially in the villlages you just can't say that you are not allowed to eat bread...They will not understand how you can spend one day of your life without bread!! Just telling you all that to be aware of what you are going to find here . The only way that they will pay attention to you is only if you say you are allergical to bread (and all the gluten stuff). They have never heard of gluten.

Any way, I manage to eat well and not get sick, but I always tell people in restaurants it is an allergy. Sorry to hear that you can't eat potatoes and tomatoes and dairy. Me too for the dairy part and also 40 more foods....Big trouble but ok.

It would be so nice do try to come back again. You can stay gluten-free if you pay attention. You can also bring with you some of the gluten-free products you have in your country. It is really great during the summer.You got married in Greece???

[debmidge]

Hello!

Celiac and greece are no good friends!!! People here never heard of that thing. My doctor was trying to remember what that thing is. The rate is 1 in 11.000 people. In Athens you can find about 50 stores that have gluten-free products but don't expect to find many things. Just some bread and pasta and some cookies. No way you find a restaurant that has gluten-free food. Sorry to disappoint you!!You must also keep in mind that people here have a different opinion about food.....Especially in the villlages you just can't say that you are not allowed to eat bread...They will not understand how you can spend one day of your life without bread!! Just telling you all that to be aware of what you are going to find here . The only way that they will pay attention to you is only if you say you are allergical to bread (and all the gluten stuff). They have never heard of gluten.

Meline

Does this mean that you do not have Celiac support groups in Greece or a Chapter of the Celiac Sprue Association there?

Deb

[GF-Caryl]

I was wondering if you have found gluten free phyllo (φύλλο) dough anywhere in Greece? I would like to make Baklava again some time and although I did find a recipe for making gluten-free phyllo dough, considering how thin the dough has to be, I really can't imagine making it from scratch!

Caryl

[MELINE]

Meline

Does this mean that you do not have Celiac support groups in Greece or a Chapter of the Celiac Sprue Association there?

Deb

Hi Deb

The answear is a big NO....I would really like to find something like that here but it just doesn't exist....Or it exists and I still havent' found it...It must be hiding very well.....!! I've searched the net, there is one site about celiac and says that it is a support for celiacs, and it is supposed to be the official greek site for celiacs but.....it has no members and it hasn't been updated since May 2007...There are no people here with celiac. Greece has 10.000.000 people and with a rate of 1 in 11.000 with celiac that makes only 900 celiacs in the whole country...Now you can undestand how helpful this forum is for me......Sometimes it is difficult for me to express my self in english but on the other side you are giving me so much infromation that it's worth it.

I'll search for a Chapter of the Celiac Sprue Association.... thanks!

[MELINE]

I was wondering if you have found gluten free phyllo (φύλλο) dough anywhere in Greece? I would like to make Baklava again some time and although I did find a recipe for making gluten-free phyllo dough, considering how thin the dough has to be, I really can't imagine making it from scratch!

Caryl

Caryl I'll dissapoint you......there is no gluten-free φύλλο here.....At least I still haven't found one....I'll make sure you will be the first to know if i find some....My mom is going to try to make some next week....I don't know what the results of the experiment are going to be......I'll let you know...baklava hmmmmm............

[CCM]

It would be so nice do try to come back again. You can stay gluten-free if you pay attention. You can also bring with you some of the gluten-free products you have in your country. It is really great during the summer.You got married in Greece???

Yes, my husband and I were both studying Classical Archeology, we met on a dig, believe it or not, and because one of us was always there for study, it became impossible to plan a wedding back in the states. So we brought our family and friends there and were married in Monemvasia. I could go on and on but it is probably best to move it to a "Greece" thread of conversation in the "Anything but Celiac" section!

If we do visit this year, you can be I am going to want a list of the gluten free stores there in Athens!

[MELINE]

Yes, my husband and I were both studying Classical Archeology, we met on a dig, believe it or not, and because one of us was always there for study, it became impossible to plan a wedding back in the states. So we brought our family and friends there and were married in Monemvasia. I could go on and on but it is probably best to move it to a "Greece" thread of conversation in the "Anything but Celiac" section!

If we do visit this year, you can be I am going to want a list of the gluten free stores there in Athens!

Don't worry!!! You can ask whatever you want. I'll be glad to make your visit easier!

Nice love story for you and your hussband. So it's true!! You never know where you are going to meet the love of your life!!!! I'll go do some digging...he he (monemvasia is really great!)

[Glutenfreefamily]

An option to gluten-free phyllo dough would be rice paper that is sprinkled with powdered sugar. Someone posted a recipe a long while back on how they made baklava with it. If you do a search I bet you'll find it. I would love to visit Greece myself, its a beautiful country.

[Hippie]

Since you have only been gluten free for a short period of time, chances are, your body hasn't healed yet. If the cheese was safe....

This is kind of off-topic, but how long does it take to heal, normally?

[MELINE]

This is kind of off-topic, but how long does it take to heal, normally?

Hi

That is so impossible to say Hippie....Some of us were healed within few weeks and some in 2 years....In my case it took me exactly 3 weeks to stop feeling exhausted but the nausea thing still exists after 3 months of being gluten-free (but with some accidents during this time....) The problem seems to be that your odvious symptoms go away , but your intestine still may not be completely well....The only answear to your question is that only you know the answear.....The only thing I can definately say is that as time goes by, you can only get better....

I hope you are feeling ok...

[MELINE]

An option to gluten-free phyllo dough would be rice paper that is sprinkled with powdered sugar. Someone posted a recipe a long while back on how they made baklava with it. If you do a search I bet you'll find it. I would love to visit Greece myself, its a beautiful country.

Thank you for the information glutenfreefamily!! I'll make a research!!! (yes..Greece is beautiful..I hope someday you can make that trip!!)

[Glutenfreefamily]

Thank you for the information glutenfreefamily!! I'll make a research!!! (yes..Greece is beautiful..I hope someday you can make that trip!!)

Your welcome

Meline- Here are two old threads for it. There are a few recipes deep in the threads from scratch and hints on there how to use rice paper.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

[Panopticism]

I could never even stand the smell of any kind of cheese, and it has ALWAYS made me sick after eating it. It's strange because people would always be telling me that something smelled so good, and I'd want to puke my guts out because it was such a putrid stench. I've noticed this with a few other foods, too. I started noticing this with bread after I went gluten free for a while. I still enjoy the scent of fresh bread(I mean, come on, who doesn't?) but it makes me want to hurl. Same goes for beef now that I've stopped eating it. I think it's my body telling me naturally to stay the hell away from that crap.

[MELINE]

Your welcome

Meline- Here are two old threads for it. There are a few recipes deep in the threads from scratch and hints on there how to use rice paper.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

I am going right now in my kitchen!!!!!!! thanx once again!!!!

[MELINE]

I could never even stand the smell of any kind of cheese, and it has ALWAYS made me sick after eating it. It's strange because people would always be telling me that something smelled so good, and I'd want to puke my guts out because it was such a putrid stench. I've noticed this with a few other foods, too. I started noticing this with bread after I went gluten free for a while. I still enjoy the scent of fresh bread(I mean, come on, who doesn't?) but it makes me want to hurl. Same goes for beef now that I've stopped eating it. I think it's my body telling me naturally to stay the hell away from that crap.

A family friend has the same thing with you (the cheese thing...) and as far as I know we are not supposed to have cheese on the table when he is visiting us cause there is a good chance he is going to feel sick....Few years ago he found out he is allerrgical to cheese....so once again nature is wise!!!! I really believe what you are saying, that your body was reacting clever enough in order to protect you....Good for you!!

[larry mac]

I could never even stand the smell of any kind of cheese, and it has ALWAYS made me sick after eating it. It's strange because people would always be telling me that something smelled so good, and I'd want to puke my guts out because it was such a putrid stench. I've noticed this with a few other foods, too. I started noticing this with bread after I went gluten free for a while. I still enjoy the scent of fresh bread(I mean, come on, who doesn't?) but it makes me want to hurl. Same goes for beef now that I've stopped eating it. I think it's my body telling me naturally to stay the hell away from that crap...

One of my best friends also has an irrational food phobia about cheese. He's the only person I've ever known that didn't like cheese. Sometimes this mind over matter thing can be really powerful.

It's bad enough not being able to eat gluten, but cheese and meat too (and smelling them makes you want to throw up)? Bummer.

best regards, lm

[Glutenfreefamily]

Your welcome Meline I hope one works out for you!