Newbie Thread

[debmidge]

I'll start:

Never eat tuna salad, chicken salad, shrimp salad, turkey salad, etc. without first

finding out if the salad as wheat bread crumbs incorporated in it.

Some pre-made salads include wheat bread crumbs as a "filler"

Some restaurants use pre-made (not made on premises)

Some restaurants make in on premises themselves and add wheat bread crumbs

to "stretch" it out

So be careful and ask questions before ordering or purchasing.

[lizard00]

Having been burned by a wheat free cereal and a digestive enzyme containing wheat, just look for the stuff that is clearly labeled gluten-free. And if you don't see it (especially on processed anything) just DON'T chance it. Supplements can be especially tricky.

[ravenwoodglass]

Don't trust your doctor or pharmacist to know if something is gluten free. Get the number and call the company yourself, this applies to both OTC and script drugs. If you take generics make that call at each refill as they can change inert ingredients at will. There are no labeling regs for supplements and vitamins so even if it says gluten free read those ingredients. Barley, wheat, rye and oats are not permitted even in 'grass or juice form' for the majority of us will react.

Don't forget to get a new can opener when you get your toaster and other stuff and do check those pet litters and foods also. (This last got me for way too long )

[ShayFL]

Read the package even if it says "Gluten Free" on the front. I have bought two items with big red letters exclaiming gluten free with this warning on the back "processed in a facility that also processes wheat". One was some almond/rice crackers and another was lentil pasta. You MUST read.

[ksymonds84]

I will add also:

If you are still in the process of testing such as blood work and endoscopy, you HAVE to continue to eat gluten. Even 3 days without gluten can give you a false negative on blood work.

Read labels everytime you buy a product even if gluten free before, manufactures will sometimes change their ingredients or get their ingredients from different suppliers.

If you have been gluten free and have been feeling wonderful but all of a sudden symptoms pop up again, other intolerances are sneaking their way in. Dairy/Casein is usually the first to try eliminating. In fact, some GI's will say right away to eliminate dairy for awhile when starting gluten free. Next would be Soy followed by night shades (tomato, potato, peppers (not black pepper), eggplant & tabacco). There are so many food intolerances and all of us are individual on what we react to but those are the most common ones with us.

Toss scratched pans and wooden utensils. Buy your own toaster

Also remember that is takes awhile to heal. I read somewhere that if you are under 40, you can heal as quickly as 6 months but if your older it can take up to 2 yrs but again, everyone is individual and healing times will be different for everyone so don't give up if your not a hundred percent in less than 6 months.

Learning to do the diet correctly is almost impossible the first month or two. There is so much to learn about ingredients, cross contamination etc. It is common to get glutened at least once a week in the very beginning. I sure did.

Most important, keep reading and posting any questions you may have. Everyone here is so supportive and have been there and done that! So no question is stupid here. You may also want to first use the search engine at the top of the screen. Put in the key word of your question such as dairy or diarreah and you can usually get your answer quicker than posting the question. That can save you time and worries.

[msmini14]

Hi Kathy,

Do I ask the doctor to run more blood tests to see if I have anymore food allergies? Or do I go by trial and error? I ate something last night that has made me sick and I dont know what.

Thanks!

Jen

[gheidie]

if you are confortable eating out, and you want an ometet make sure they do not put pancake batter in the egg mixture (to make it fluffy)

[AliB]

If you want shop-bought fries (chips) whilst out and about, check that they are cooked in oil that has not been contaminated by any other foods, and if they buy their fries in (or even if you buy ready to cook yourself fries) check that they have not been coated with anything that contains gluten/wheat.

[Ridgewalker]

Don't forget to check toiletries and cosmetics, toothpaste, vitamins, medicines, etc. This usually involves calling the company or checking the website.

Jen,

I know you asked Kathy, but I thought I'd mention a couple things-- 1- blood tests for intolerances are few and far between. I know you can get tested for lactose intolerance. I think trial and error is what you might have to do. 2- What did you eat yesterday? It could be anything, but some common culprits are: soy, legumes, nightshades, and most especially dairy.

Some Celiacs are dairy intolerant at first, but can add it back in after a year or two of being gluten-free. For others, of course, it's permanent. Sometimes, if you eat a large amount of the food, the symptoms are more noticeable. I can eat small amounts of dairy, but large amounts kill my stomach!

[msmini14]

Don't forget to check toiletries and cosmetics, toothpaste, vitamins, medicines, etc. This usually involves calling the company or checking the website.

Jen,

I know you asked Kathy, but I thought I'd mention a couple things-- 1- blood tests for intolerances are few and far between. I know you can get tested for lactose intolerance. I think trial and error is what you might have to do. 2- What did you eat yesterday? It could be anything, but some common culprits are: soy, legumes, nightshades, and most especially dairy.

Some Celiacs are dairy intolerant at first, but can add it back in after a year or two of being gluten-free. For others, of course, it's permanent. Sometimes, if you eat a large amount of the food, the symptoms are more noticeable. I can eat small amounts of dairy, but large amounts kill my stomach!

I read on nightshades and that is the potatoe group. Yes I had a potatoe and a piece of yellow pepper lastnite. But nothing that I dont normaly eat. All though I am trying to stay away from carbs. I think it may be the gum. I started to chew gum again this week and I am going to assume thats what it is, I can only wait and see. Thank you for your info =)

[debmidge]

It's easy to get cross contamination at salad bars

[ravenwoodglass]

I started to chew gum again this week and I am going to assume thats what it is, I can only wait and see. Thank you for your info =)

Was that a sugar free gum by any chance? Sugar alcohols are sometimes gluten derived and are commonly used in many gums. There also are some folks who will react to sugar alcohols no matter what the source is. Also not all gums are gluten-free, some use dextrose from wheat and some will use a gluten source to powder the lines and the gum. You need to check gum, like anything else we consume, with the maker before consumption.

[darlindeb25]

This is another tough one--well meaning family members!!! They want to help, they say they have cooked something gluten free for you, and maybe they have. BUT, they do not understand cross contamination. They may make you gluten free pasta, but they will stir it with the same spoon as their own pasta!!! They just do not understand!!! When you get sick, they can't understand why you are ill!!!!

[ksymonds84]

Hi Kathy,

Do I ask the doctor to run more blood tests to see if I have anymore food allergies? Or do I go by trial and error? I ate something last night that has made me sick and I dont know what.

Thanks!

Jen

Sorry I didn't answer you sooner Jen, I worked very late last night. Sarah answered beautifully. Those tests can be so unreliable and your own body is your best indicator of food allergies. I kept a food diary for over 4 months to see exactly what was bothering me. This is how I found out that I was slightly bothered by dairy. I can eat small amounts of cheese but can't drink an 8oz. glass of milk. I also agree that if its sugar free gum, it could be sorbitol or other fake sugars. Sorbitol gives me mouth sores Good luck and pm me anytime!

[Calicoe]

I soooo appreciate this thread, because I'm trying so hard but I'm still struggling. I've had a number of better days though, and my lows are not as low. I haven't read the thread throughly yet because I have to run out, but I will pay close attention later. I think I have been coping with a millet hangover the last 2 days, and it doesn't make sense because we are supposed to tolerate it. My stomach was making crying noises during digestion the last two nights, and I have that dull, headache-y feeling and tired, puffy, eyed-look. Oh joy!