Daughter Going Gluten Free Tomorrow

[strawberrygm]

she had pos blood tests in april. had to wait for scope and results before going gluten free. seemed like so far away. now it has snuck up on me. she goes gluten free tomorrow. i have purchased.....NOTHING!!! NOT ONE THING!!

we have veggies in the house, but tomorrow i guess we will be hitting kroger/walmart and making the 1hr one way drive to the amish store to see what we can get. due to financial issues, we can't go wild buying things, but can get started.

on the mil thread...great suggestions....but....and i dont mean this to sound anyway other than a curious newbie, but, please tell me my dd will be ok with me just washing all our baking sheets, pans, etc really well (dishwasher) until we can build her a stash of her own. there is no way we can buy everything.

we can probably get her her own toaster this weekend, and maybe a microwave.

did you all go out and buy buy buy when you started or did you just get a little here and a little there?

i am starting a local support group. looking forward to that.

u am so very thankful for this site and everyone's help!!!

[Darn210]

I did not buy new pots and pans (stove top). . . mine are stainless steel and I just gave them a good scrub. I did by new cookie sheets and a cake pan (used aluminum foil until I got around to it). She does not need her own microwave . . . just make sure you clean yours well. I also bought her her own nonstick coated skillet since my other one was scratched up and her own pasta strainer, cutting board and toaster.

A list of companies that will disclose any gluten in their ingredients is listed here:

Open Original Shared Link

It's an excellent way to buy mainstream stuff.

[Guest lorlyn]

I did go buy some new things and got rid of my old teflon pans, if you can stock up on normal glute free foods and then figure out what you miss then find a alternative to it. My 11 year old daughter has been doing this diet for almost two years and it does get easier. She reads every label (i can not always read the small words in the ingrediant list LOL) We just got through with one 5 night and day camp and it was not that hard. Good luck and welcome to the board.

[curlyfries]

I also am on very limited funds.

It sounds like your dd will be the only one going gluten free. My husband is not gluten free, but he eats the same dinners as me. I mostly fix meats and veggies ( and fruit before I realized I couldn't tolerate them.). The only difference from pre-gluten free is I use McCormick spice blends instead of marinades and if I make gravy, I use potato starch. I also no longer buy frozen veggies in cheese sauce. We occassionally have spaghetti, and my husband has no problem with rice pasta.

I still have my old baking sheets, but I put foil on them.(I rarely bake, anyway) I wouldn't trust the metal pans getting clean enough. I will replace mine, but since I rarely use them, they are not a priority. I have a toaster oven, so I use foil when I heat something up for myself. But if your family uses a toaster, she will definitely need her own. I don't see a reason she would need her own microwave...just keep it clean.

The main things I got rid of were plastics. Storage containers I replaced with glass ones because they can be cleaned well. Everyone can use them. She will need her own colander and nonstick skillet and spatula.

If you use a grill, put her food on foil.

In my house, my husband's sandwiches are prepared on the island, and I don't use it for my food. I use paper towels a lot...on the counter, in the microwave...as an extra precaution.

I haven't had to do this for a teenager, so your food buying may be more costly than mine, especially if she finds it hard to give up her old favorites. You will most likely be trying to buy or make gluten free alternatives. But try to get her to keep it as simple as possible, especially in the beginning. It will be easier for her gut to heal.

My main concern now is that I feel I should be on supplements, but can't afford them at this time.

I'm probably forgetting something, but hope this helps. It looks like you've been researching this forum, so I'm trying not to repeat things you already know.

[Mango04]

No need to panic. Tons of people do this successfully Just start simply....eat normal, basic stuff - fruits, veggies, meats, rice, beans. Clean your kitchen well. Get your daughter her own toaster if she will be eating gluten-free bread (but gluten-free bread really isn't necessary). Make gluten-free dinners for the whole family (for example: meat, rice, veggies). That's all you need to do

[strawberrygm]

i didnt realize rice was ok. i thought since it was pasta-like, it was out. thats a huge help right there!

is it only certain brands or types??

i thought about the foil idea....thats something i can certainly handle.

i want to eventually transfer us all to gluten free, just replacing as i go. my youngest son is almost 9 months, and the more breads, etc he eats, his face seems to be breaking out more and more. he sometimes has the tell-tale yellowy poops as well. my almost 3 yr old son doesnt seem to have any physical symptoms, but boy is he hyper and can be a pill! it may just be -- being a boy -- but heck, if gluten free is healthier anyway, whats to loose?

but at first, it will just be dd.

[home-based-mom]

i didnt realize rice was ok. i thought since it was pasta-like, it was out. thats a huge help right there!

is it only certain brands or types??

i thought about the foil idea....thats something i can certainly handle.

i want to eventually transfer us all to gluten free, just replacing as i go. my youngest son is almost 9 months, and the more breads, etc he eats, his face seems to be breaking out more and more. he sometimes has the tell-tale yellowy poops as well. my almost 3 yr old son doesnt seem to have any physical symptoms, but boy is he hyper and can be a pill! it may just be -- being a boy -- but heck, if gluten free is healthier anyway, whats to loose?

but at first, it will just be dd.

Actually it will be easier if your whole house is gluten free. Only one set of dishes and cooking utensils, only one meal instead of 2, no cc worries, etc. Many people if not most find that by buying fresh and frozen meats and produce and NOT buying processed foods, their grocery bill actually goes down. There are a few gluten free main stream cereals - Rice Chex being the latest. READ LABELS.

Read other posts in this section about how people have handled putting young children and infants on gluten free diets.

No one *needs* to eat gluten. It sounds like your whole family will be healthier if you all go gluten free!

[missy'smom]

Get some Rice Chex and put it in the blender or food processor for use as breadcrumbs in meatloaf and meatballs etc.

Be sure to check the label and see that it has the words gluten-free in big letters. If not, it's one of the older boxes that isn't gluten-free.

Gluten-free members of the family need their own spreads and condiments because yours may be contaminated. Those in a squeeze bottle are OK and you may want to switch to that type in the future, for mayo etc. For margarine that comes in tubs I bought a new one and when the non-gluten eaters finished theirs I took a portion of mine and added it to their container because we don't go through it that fast. I mark mine with G F in a black sharpie in the lid.

You may have things in the pantry that are gluten-free. You could call the 800 numbers and ask As someone mentioned all Kraft(and some other companie's) products list all gluten so on those brands just look for the words wheat, barley, rye or oats. If you don't see them it's gluten-free. I write a black G F on the label once I've confirmed that it's gluten-free to help me remember later. Ore Ida has a list on their website of their products that are gluten-free.

Make a plan. Keep it simple. Sit down today and write out a menu for the week or next few days of simple meals and snacks. If you need some ideas feel free to ask here. Many of the recipes that you currently make for your family can be adapted to gluten-free.

Good luck.

[ShayFL]

It is easier and cheaper if everyone goes gluten-free if you stick to basic foods and do not rely on processed foods (breads, cookies, etc.).

My DD and DH are not gluten free. But my house is a gluten-free zone. I already had a fridge/freezer in the garage and now there is a very small microwave out there. The few gluten foods that they want are kept out there and eaten outside. None of my food is out there except huge sealed bags of nuts.

I just stock my pantry with gluten-free foods that I know they like. My daughter who is 12 really loves to make her own sushi. So I keep those things in stock for her including little cans of salmon, nori, etc. They both eat oatmeal for breakfast or eggs with veggies. Fruits and nuts are another inexpensive gluten-free breakfast/snack food I keep well stocked.

I keep par-boiled brown rice handy, cans of beans, cans of meat. We discovered a locally made plantain chip that is gluten-free and they are cheap.

I do some baking with gluten-free flours and such, but it isnt necessary.

Corn tortillas will come in handy too for making sandwiches and wraps.

It does not have to be expensive.

[home-based-mom]

I mark mine with G F in a black sharpie in the lid.

*MY* jar of peanut butter has MOM written on the lid with a black Sharpie. Great minds must think alike!

[Lockheed]

I have to admit that I just live with cross contamination, but it doesn't seem to effect me nearly as much as I know it effects some other people with celiac disease. You can only do as much as you can do and every little bit of gluten that you get rid of is going to be a tremendous help! You are a good mom for worrying about it as much as you do and for being as willing as you are to go buy new things for your daughter and to learn to cook gluten free.

[Lockheed]

i didnt realize rice was ok. i thought since it was pasta-like, it was out. thats a huge help right there!

Enriched rices can contain gluten (they use gluten to adhere the vitamins and nutrients to the grain), but usually the texmatti and basmatti rices are fine. And watch out for vermacelli rices.. those usually have wheat in them to add flavor or whatever.

[Mango04]

Rice is safe (just make sure the only ingredient is "rice")

Maybe pick up some books if you haven't already. Dana Korn has some good ones.

[missy'smom]

Enriched rices can contain gluten (they use gluten to adhere the vitamins and nutrients to the grain), but usually the texmatti and basmatti rices are fine. And watch out for vermacelli rices.. those usually have wheat in them to add flavor or whatever.

Vermicelli in the rice-a-roni and other pilaf mixes is actually a pasta made with wheat flour that is mixed with the rice, another pasta in some rice pilaf mixes is orzo pasta but those mixes would have the words "wheat" on the label in the allergen statement.

[imsohungry]

Don't panic too much...

I kept most of my pots and pans...only getting rid of the teflon/nonstick kind and other pans with "burnt stuff" on them. (Nonstick cookware, if scratched, is notorious for adding unwanted "bits" of things to your food). Most other kitchen items, I bleached and kept. Just look for obvious cracks/scratches that might hold tiny particles of food. Otherwise, you should be fine ...And aluminum foil is a lifesaver in the beginning.

Just remember, when in doubt, toss it out!

You'll get the hang of it. Welcome to the forums!

[Lockheed]

Vermicelli in the rice-a-roni and other pilaf mixes is actually a pasta made with wheat flour that is mixed with the rice, another pasta in some rice pilaf mixes is orzo pasta but those mixes would have the words "wheat" on the label in the allergen statement.

I'm just boggled by the concept of a wheat pasta trying to be rice.. it makes no sense to me. Why?

[Toria's Mommy]

My duaghter will be going gluten-free on the 10th of July so I have been reading up on things. I have a few concerns about the cross contamination. We have roommates that are not gluten-free and we all use the same pots and pans and tupperware. I dont mind getting a new toaster but spatula's?? cutting boards??? Im a single mom and I dont know that I can afford that. Is it ok to cut on a ceramic plate or something??

[imsohungry]

My duaghter will be going gluten-free on the 10th of July so I have been reading up on things. I have a few concerns about the cross contamination. We have roommates that are not gluten-free and we all use the same pots and pans and tupperware. I dont mind getting a new toaster but spatula's?? cutting boards??? Im a single mom and I dont know that I can afford that. Is it ok to cut on a ceramic plate or something??

Thought I share my info.

I didn't replace my metal spatula, etc. But I did drop by the dollar store and spend about five dollars on a new plastic cutting board and plastic spatula and a few other cheap kitchen items that the dollar store carries. Just an idea.

-Julie

[missy'smom]

I'm just boggled by the concept of a wheat pasta trying to be rice.. it makes no sense to me. Why?

It's not intended to be like rice. It just gives an added texture, shape and sometimes color to the dish. The vermicelli is browned in butter or oil before cooking in the water so the finished dish has these golden brown bits. Orzo, well that does seem like it's pasta trying to be rice. Pre gluten-free, I taught a Japanese lady how to make an orzo dish and she said that her daughter liked it instead of the usual rice.

To add to the confusion, in the asian market, vermicellli often refers to the thin rice noodles, which are gluten-free.

[Toria's Mommy]

Thought I share my info.

I didn't replace my metal spatula, etc. But I did drop by the dollar store and spend about five dollars on a new plastic cutting board and plastic spatula and a few other cheap kitchen items that the dollar store carries. Just an idea.

-Julie

Ohhh I can do that, thats a good idea. If they are labled gluten-free can I keep them in the same drawer as the other kitchen stuff or should they be kept bagged so that they dont get contaminated?

My roommates arent very clean so Im not sure how far I need to go with this.

[imsohungry]

Ohhh I can do that, thats a good idea. If they are labled gluten-free can I keep them in the same drawer as the other kitchen stuff or should they be kept bagged so that they dont get contaminated?

My roommates arent very clean so Im not sure how far I need to go with this.

If I were you, I would get a gallon/gallon 1/2 ziploc bag and place all your utensils in there. Perhaps you could ask your roommates if you can have one cabnit to yourself in the kitchen? If not, I know of many people in your situation who simply buy a flat under-the-bed box and store all of their kitchen items in there.

Hope this helps. -Julie