Am I To Assume Foods Are Safe?

[1morething]

If I read the ingredients of everything I eat and compare them to the list of unsafe ingredients, am I ok to eat it if it's not on the list? I've been gluten free for 6 days now but for the last 4 days I've been constipated. Am I constipated because I'm getting glutened? I've changed my diet completely, I've bought a new toaster, I haven't eaten in a restaurant, I don't use wood utensils or cutting board. I just don't know anymore.....

Rachael

[ShayFL]

Sometimes you have to call or email a company to make sure.

If you really want to see results with the gluten-free diet, the best thing to do is to eat whole foods. Avoid processed foods. Stick with plain meats, eggs, veggies, beans, rice, fruits, nuts & seeds and simple spices (McCormicks).

Then once well, try some processed foods.

[Lisa]

Sometimes barley, malt and rye (and some oats) can hide in "Spices" and "Natural Flavors". In that case, you may need to call the company.

Here is a list of great companies who will clearly list ALL forms of gluten:

Open Original Shared Link

Make sure you check your vitamins, meds, lotions, lipsticks/balms as well

[emcmaster]

My $0.02 is that you've not been gluten-free long enough to gauge whether something is gluten-free by reading the ingredients. I'd stick to whole foods or foods that you have verified to be gluten-free.

I don't eat corn so "natural flavors" is pretty much a no-go for me even if the product is gluten-free. Generally, I don't do well with products that have ambiguous ingredients.

[kbtoyssni]

It depends on the brand. I know Kraft labels gluten so if I don't see it on the ingredients I eat it. But I wouldn't do the same for other brands. It'll take a while to figure out your safe brands.

[ang1e0251]

I second (third) the opinion of simple whole foods in the beginning. That's what I did and it gave me a great start. I wasn't smart enough to do it on my own, I was just broke. It worked though. And if I do have a problem, I go back to that way of eating and it helps trememdously. Add new foods slowly to see if they sit well, even if they are gluten-free, some of those prepared foods kind of sit like a stone inside me. Certain of them I just leave alone.

Do your best and listen to your body as it sounds like you are doing, Maybe keep a food/sympyom diary for awhile. It really does help pinpoint subtle problems maybe only your body has. The Yummy and Tummy Diary can also help you keep your dr informed if needed. They seem to take the written word more seriously than just telling them.

[Green Eyes]

Keep in mind that your system is unique. I have not been the typical celiac with GI issues. I had constipation before eating gluten free as well as after gluten free.

Jennifer