Gluten Free..ideas For The First Few Days Until I Can Get To The Healthfood Store?

[jolness]

Hey there everyone. I was diagnosed with celiac sprue yesterday confirmed by both biopsies and blood tests,and am having a tough time finding food to eat that is a gluten free and doesn't require a ton of prep work i am up to some moderate cooking and baking but nothing that requires more than 20-25 min of prep.. Any simple foods that have some food value? I have been living off of fruit and vegetables so far but already am tiring of them. As i am not finished with high school i still live with my parents and younger sister. Any tips on having my own place to cook? Also my parents are very supportive (they and my sister both offered to go gluten free with me for support) my dad told me he would help me in any way he possibly could. One final question do I need to use separate plates,cooking pans,baking dishes from my family?

Thanks for your help.

[home-based-mom]

Hey there everyone. I was diagnosed with celiac sprue yesterday confirmed by both biopsies and blood tests,and am having a tough time finding food to eat that is a gluten free and doesn't require a ton of prep work i am up to some moderate cooking and baking but nothing that requires more than 20-25 min of prep.. Any simple foods that have some food value? I have been living off of fruit and vegetables so far but already am tiring of them. As i am not finished with high school i still live with my parents and younger sister. Any tips on having my own place to cook? Also my parents are very supportive (they and my sister both offered to go gluten free with me for support) my dad told me he would help me in any way he possibly could. One final question do I need to use separate plates,cooking pans,baking dishes from my family?

Thanks for your help.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

You actually do not ever need to go to the health food store. Go to the regular grocery store with your mom and shop around the edges where the fresh and frozen meats and produce are found. They are better for you are gluten free naturally.

Stay out of the middle aisles where the processed packaged stuff is. That's a hard habit to break, but much of that stuff contains gluten and isn't all that healthy anyway.

You are very fortunate to have family support. Some people actually live with saboteurs! If everyone is willing to eat gluten free, that is the best way to go. Thoroughly wash all surfaces (dishes, countertops, utensils, cupboards) and they should be OK except for wooden spoons and cutting boards, colanders and scratched non-stick cookware which should be replaced.

As celiac is a genetic condition, someone else in your family has the genes, whether they have symptoms or not. Once everyone is gluten free, things may clear up that no one realized were problems!

Keep reading and reading here in the forum. It will get easier for you.

[stolly]

Always check the ingredients on packaged items, but we use the following:

Baked/grilled chicken breasts

Perdue shortcuts or Kirkland(Costco) grilled chicken strips

Canned tuna

Hormel pepperoni and turkey pepperoni

Hormel chili with beans

Oscar Meyer deli meats (they will list wheat, barley, rye, oats in the ingredients; therwise they're gluten-free)

Hot dogs- Ball Park, Hebrew National, Oscar Meyer

Yoplait yogurt (Original and Thick/Creamy; I don't think Whips are gluten free)

Rice Chex (make sure it's the new box that says gluten free on the front)

Mac n cheese: Tinkyada rice pasta with Velveeta

Rice n cheese with chicksn: Rice with Velveeta and diced chicken

Koshy Shack pudding

Good luck--things will become easier each day!

[Phyllis28]

It is always best to have a gluten free household. Your wonderful family has made the offer to eat gluten free, take it. They can eat gluten outside to house.

You do not need a health food store to eat gluten free. Simply replace bread and pasta with rice, corn and potatoes. I eat spagetti sauce and chili over rice. Other example of meals are stuffed baked potatoes, mexican food that uses corn tortillas and refried beans and crock pot meals. Many crockpot receipes are gluten free.

Also, I suggest you contact your local Celiac support group.

[purple]

Everyone gave you good tips, here are some bits. McCormick seasoning is safe but will list wheat if it has it, same for Kraft, Bertoli, Hershey's, S&W, Blue Bunny, Sunny Delight, Tyson, Heinz, Sara Lee, Smart Balance, etc. Ther is a whole list out there so watch for it. Sorry I don't have it. Fritos(not sure about chili) and ranch Doritoes are ok too. Try layered refried bean dip with your favorite toppings and fresh veggies with chips. Celery/apples and peanut butter. Use Rice Chex for crumbs like for pie, meatballs, or salmon patties. Chef Salad. Stagg chili is ok but spicy. Be careful with chili beans. Rotel tomatoes are seasoned and fast to put in refried beans or guacamole or homemade chili. Be sure to check every label as stated before. Gluten sticks to wash rags and sponges too. Don't use the same toaster when you use it for gluten-free bread and waffles, get a new one and keep it in an air proof plastic bag. If you make gluten-free waffles, get a new waffle iron. You can use gluten-free waffles like bread for grilled sandwiches or opened face. Or top them with fruit, peanut butter, fruit filling, etc. Make Rice chex muddy buddy mix. You can set up a preperation place in a spare room or laundry room or at least get your own cupboards. Always wipe down everything and get your own rags. Label gluten-free items like peanut butter or condiments so they don't get glutened by double dipping with knives. Here is a web for recipes with colored pics of food and products: killthegluten.blogspot.com/ When you make something, freeze some and label it for a fast meal.

[IMWalt]

Welcome to the gluten-free world. It took years for me to find out what was wrong. Here are a few of my favorite things that helped me.

Like others have said, avoid processed foods like the plague.

Cook a baked potato in the microwave and top with one or all - cottage cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, broccoli, chili

Make fried rice - stir fry some peas and carrots, onions and garlic, add some cooked rice and a couple eggs and scramble it all up. Gluten-free soy sauce adds some flavor

Fresh berries topped with yogurt

Big salads are my favorite - I use romaine lettuce, iceberg, spinach, fresh peppers, celery, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, parmesan cheese, olives, home-made bacon bits, capers, apples, and whatever else I have that looks good.

Take some dried plums, wrap each of them with a slice of proscuitto and bake at 425 until crispy. Very good and good for you

If you like fish, give sardines a try. Very good source of essential fatty acids and very cheap. I carry a can with me at all times for when I need a protein pick-me-up

I also carry a bag of mixed nuts with me. I use almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, barzil nuts, etc. Good for snacking as long as you don't go overboard. They have a lot of calories.

Whew. Just a few ideas for you. Good luck!

Walt

[Aleshia]

Hey there everyone. I was diagnosed with celiac sprue yesterday confirmed by both biopsies and blood tests,and am having a tough time finding food to eat that is a gluten free and doesn't require a ton of prep work i am up to some moderate cooking and baking but nothing that requires more than 20-25 min of prep.. Any simple foods that have some food value? I have been living off of fruit and vegetables so far but already am tiring of them. As i am not finished with high school i still live with my parents and younger sister. Any tips on having my own place to cook? Also my parents are very supportive (they and my sister both offered to go gluten free with me for support) my dad told me he would help me in any way he possibly could. One final question do I need to use separate plates,cooking pans,baking dishes from my family?

Thanks for your help.

you can make your own oven fries by cutting potatoes into strips and shaking them in a baggy with some salt and garlic powder or italian seasoning then squirt some oil in the bag and shake again dump it on a baking tray and bake at about 350-400 for 30 min. steak or chicken breast is good. salads, fruits, veggies, rice dishes I made some yummy chicken satay skewers with pineapple chunks on the barbecue the other night. stir fries are good too. corn chips and salsa... even snacks like string cheese and pudding... I'm sure some others will have some suggestions too. I've been on the gluten-free diet for about 2 mo. now and it is getting easier and I find that I am a lot more creative and adventerous in my cooking than I was before!

[mommida]

When you do get to the health food store, your taste buds need to adjust. The first few gluten free items will taste bland and the texture is different too. Try some of the replacement things after 4 months if you can wait. Until then stick to the naturally gluten free foods.

Gluten free bread tastes much better grilled or toasted.