Shopping For Gluten Free

[kbalman]

Hello my 15 month old son I am 99% sure has celiacs. See signature for details. I am struggling with the whole shopping and cross contamination thing. I see on some boxes that say gluten free they have a note that says made in plant that may manufacture wheat. Should I steer clear of these items. Also he likes the quakers rice cakes. I emailed quaker to ask for coupons and they emailed me back a very nice reply stating that even though the rice cakes do not contain gluten ingrediants because of the plant they are made in there is no guarentee. should I continue to buy them.

It is really hard because he cant tell me yet how he feels so some iffy items I am not sure if they are causing issues. he has only been gluten free for 2 weeks but his spitting up and bloating and bowels seem a little better. aLso he used to have really coarse hair and it is now a little softer??? (not sure if this has anything to do with celiacs) anyway I read that it can take several months for all symptoms to stop. He will be doing really good with not spitting up and then all of a sudden he will spit up a bunch adn get really bloated. I realized one of the issues may have been a marinade I used on his pork. so I stopped that. I am considering having the hydrogen breath test done to see if he may lactose intollerant which I think he is, cheese milk and butter seem to make it worse. It is just really difficult to tell if his episodes of spitting up and bloatedness are from something he ate that day or if it is just still his body healing. I want him to be 100% gluten free and am just struggling right now. I have the list of bad and good things just don't get the cross contamination and what I should avoid.

Should I just stick to 100% gluten free item? Please help......

[ShayFL]

In the beginning YES. Stick to simple foods: plain meats, veggies, fruits, nut butters, rice, oils, eggs, potatoes, (kids love sweet potatoes.....you can make them like french fries...yum!) etc. Simple spices (no seasoning mixes unless they say gluten-free and not processed in a facility that also processes wheat).

I dont eat processed foods, but I know there is another rice cake that is certified gluten-free. Do you live near a Whole Foods? They have sections of certified gluten-free foods to make it easier.

I would say that cutting out the dairy for now would be a good idea. It may only be temporary until his intestines heal. In a few months reintroduce dairy and see what happens.

AT HOME: make sure you NEVER use wheat flour/barley flour/oat flour/rye flour in your kitchen. That stuff gets everywhere. If you will maintain a "mixed" kitchen, he should have his own toaster, pans, cutting boards, etc.. Get rid of wooden spoons and the like as they can harbor gluten in the scratches, cracks and porous areas.

Make sure all lotions, toothpaste, etc. is gluten-free.

Ask any questions in here. We are happy to help!

[Phyllis28]

I dont eat processed foods, but I know there is another rice cake that is certified gluten-free. Do you live near a Whole Foods? They have sections of certified gluten-free foods to make it easier.

The rice cakes are Lundberg's. They come in a number of flavors. I find them at WholeFoods.

[Knightley]

Going gluten free is a complete overhaul in the way you think. My advise is to stop trying to replace your normal wheat foods with the same thing but in gluten free form - gluten free things will NEVER mimic the better taste of wheat foods. They are also $$$$PRICEY$$$ and are possibly contaminated. There are few companies that make ONLY gluten free foods...therefore the chance of cross contamination is way too high.

Remember this is an overhaul. Think differently about food. What can be good...what can taste good...not "what can replace this wheat product but be gluten free"..

We don't need pancakes, cookies, or cereal...these are all made up - our man made processed foods. We don't need them.

Slice eggplant and top with cheese & seasonings and bake for a delicious melt in your mouth experience....

Sprinkle cinnamon on your banana for a quick morning boost....cinnamon sustains blood sugar levels.

Shred zucchini onto scrambled eggs, chop tomato, green bell pepper, red onion, & cilantro mix together drizzle with fresh lemon juice....

Experience new ways of eating by just mixing WHOLE foods in different ways.

Make quinoa.....add chopped walnuts or almonds...cinnamon berries & honey.

Make a huge dish of enchiladas with corn tortillas & delicious enchilada sauce...it can be just beans or have your favorite meat in it as well.

Make your own french frieds (easy!)...sprinkle with sea salt for delicious flavor.

Slice up an apple, add it to some whole vanilla yogurt & sprinkle with cinnamon...it's DELICIOUS.

Deli meat & cheese, lettuce, tomato & onion wrapped in big corn tortilla then dip it in your favorite dressing (amazing with honey mustard!)!!

The options for eating great gluten free is endless...it's about learning to combine foods to create delicious flavors. Wheat is a thing of the past, there is no need to try to re-create it all in gluten free form. It's too expensive anyway. Eat fresh! Eat whole foods