Lost In Label Reading

[Chrissyb]

I am so lost when it comes to reading labels. If it is not in plain english I get confused. All the artifical food coloring and flavoring, pressed powder , which I do stay away from that one. How do you know with spices if it doesn't clearing say it has wheat or gluten in it, what words do you look for. Half of the ingredients I can't even pronounce. Honestly it makes me want to give up eating at times. I get so depressed I would love to have a greasey pizza and a big piece of chocolate cake but I know in the end it would not be worth it, I would be in the bathroom all night and it would take at least a week to get my stomach to feel some what better. I have only know what I have been dealing with since Nov.07 so this gluten free diet is new and hard but I know it is worth it and I know it will help with my MS also. But any help with label reading especailly with the hiden places would be wonderful. Thank so so much.

Chrissy

[Ursa Major]

Chrissy, eating all that processed food isn't good for you anyway. You would do much better mostly cooking your own food from scratch. That way you know exactly what is in your food, and that it is safe!

As for the greasy pizza and chocolate cake, what is stopping you? You can make your own gluten-free pizza, and fabulous gluten-free chocolate cakes!

If you don't want to make it from scratch, you can buy gluten-free pizza crust, and gluten-free chocolate cake mixes that are excellent.

Several times I have made to-die-for gluten-free Black Forest Cake, using (being lazy) Glutino chocolate cake mix. My son (who is not gluten-free, even though he should be I believe) told me that it was the best Black Forest cake I had ever made!

As for the MS, you would do well to stay away from any additives (especially ones you can't pronounce ). Do you see a chiropractor? My chiropractor's receptionist just mentioned the other day that chiropractic keeps her MS under control. And I said, "MS? You have that?" and she told me that she was diagnosed ten years ago.

I had no idea, because you would never know at all! Of course, I have one of the best chiropractors around (confirmed by others who have tried many in the area), who has different adjustments and techniques for different problems.

[missy'smom]

When in doubt call the 800 number on the package or look online on their websites under FAQ's or Contact Us. Many companies are helpful when asked if a product contains gluten. Kraft is a company that will disclose all gluten just look for the words barley or wheat on the label and if you don't see them then it's safe to eat. Kraft makes alot of products and some go by other brand names so if you don't see the name Kraft in big letters on the front, look for it in small letters elsewhere on the label.

[Lisa]

Here is a listing of companies who will clearly list ALL forms of gluten (i.e. wheat, barley, malt and rye) with no worries about natural flavors or spices. If it does not say "wheat, barley, malt or rye, it is just not there and safe to consume.

Open Original Shared Link

Copy this and take it the the store with you. It was a tremendous help to me.

[Juliebove]

I do not buy much in the way of processed food. Most of what I do buy is labeled as being free of gluten or whatever other allergens we do have. I buy much of this online or at my health food store, run by a celiac.

In the case of spices, I buy only plain spices and organic when possible. I do have a few mixes such as Mexican, Greek or Italian seasonings. Also Herbamare. All clearly label what is in there. I do not buy stuff like taco seasoning mix. I know there are some gluten-free ones out there, but they usually have added carbs and as a diabetic, I don't need the extra stuff.

Luckily in this country, they do have to label the top 8 allergens. I know this doesn't include gluten, but it does help quite a bit.

[missy'smom]

Here is a listing of companies who will clearly list ALL forms of gluten (i.e. wheat, barley, malt and rye) with no worries about natural flavors or spices. If it does not say "wheat, barley, malt or rye, it is just not there and safe to consume.

Open Original Shared Link

Copy this and take it the the store with you. It was a tremendous help to me.

I'm sure you've posted this before, so thank you for posting it again. I hadn't gotten it bookmarked yet but do now!

[Phyllis28]

If in doubt leave it out. I tend to pick products with very few simple straight forward ingredients. If it is not a company I know discloses gluten on the label I will generally leave it on the shelf if I can not identify all the ingredients as gluten free. However, sometimes I will buy the product and bring it home and research it. If it is not gluten free my husband and son will eat it.