My Dad Was Just Diagnosed

[Guest staplesareus]

Hi, I'm new here. My name is Rachel, and my father, Ken, was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. He went on a shopping spree today to find gluten-free foods, and although he found a lot, he hasn't liked what he's tried so far. He wants to know if any "regular" food is gluten-free that he doesn't have to give up, like peanut butter, ketchup, certain spices, etc. I heard peter pan peanut butter is gluten-free. Is that true? I apologize for sounding so ignorant but I just learned about this yesterday (thanks, dad!) and I feel like he's not taking it seriously because his new gastroenterologist said he probably had it awhile which gives my dad some sort of superiority complex.

Thanks.

[Lisa]

Hi and welcome!

So many foods are naturally gluten free. There is no need to feel deprived these days. In your dad's case I would recommend buying Cecelia's Gluten Free Grocery Shopping Guide. It lists over 30,000 main stream products. It can be very helpful in the beginning days of the diet, when everything is overwhelming.

After some time, your dad should be able to read labels and no lists will be necessary.

Tell Dad to eat simple with meats, seafood, rice, potatoes, fresh veggies and fruit....all of which are naturally gluten free.

Check out the product section of this forum - it will be a great help.

www.CeceliasMarketplace.com

www.triumphdining.com

[lovegrov]

Sounds like you or your dad have gotten some old information about what is and isn't gluten-free. You will find lots of old stuff on the Internet.

Keep reading and learning. There are TONS and TONS of "regular" foods that are gluten-free. For instance, I don't know of a mayo, ketchup, peanut butter, or butter that isn't gluten-free. Almost all mustards are gluten-free, although there are a few that have wheat or barley clearly listed.

I don't know of any hot dogs that aren't gluten-free now that Nathan's has removed wheat. Virtually all sandwich meats are gluten-free, as are a huge variety of sausages. Raw plain meat is gluten-free virtually without exception.

The VAST majority of spices are gluten-free although there are a few blends or marinades that have wheat, which has to be clearly listed. McCormick is one company that will clearly list any gluten of any kind.

That's just for starters. Your dad should take it easy at first by just eating things that are naturally gluten-free -- meats, vegetables, fruit. Soem things that are supposed to be gluten-free can be contaminated. If he's not sure about a product, call the company or even try to look online at the company's website.

The reality is that eating gluten-free is a lot easier than it was just a few years ago. There are many, many fewer sources of hidden gluten than there were.

richard

[koolkat222]

I use a lot of peanut butter. What I didn't realize for awhile was the cross contamination. My boys eat peanut butter almost daily. Whenever I made sandwiches for them I would spread the peanut butter on the bread, then re-dip it into the peanut butter, leaving crumbs every time. Now I have my own jars of many items, and my family is used to not using the ones marked for me.

As your dad starts to heal, his body's reaction to being glutened will be much stronger. This will probably make him take things more seriously.

Good luck!

[twe0708]

Hi, I'm new here. My name is Rachel, and my father, Ken, was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. He went on a shopping spree today to find gluten-free foods, and although he found a lot, he hasn't liked what he's tried so far. He wants to know if any "regular" food is gluten-free that he doesn't have to give up, like peanut butter, ketchup, certain spices, etc. I heard peter pan peanut butter is gluten-free. Is that true? I apologize for sounding so ignorant but I just learned about this yesterday (thanks, dad!) and I feel like he's not taking it seriously because his new gastroenterologist said he probably had it awhile which gives my dad some sort of superiority complex.

Thanks.

I eat a lot of kidney beans or black beans with tomato's and cheese on corn tortillas. Or you can make fajitas. Since we can't use a lot of marinating sauces that we are use to I use a lot of yellow onions. Apples with p-nut butter are good. Sauteed red and green peppers and onion with steak or chicken and rice. Eggs in the morning. Fresh blueberries and banana with 1/2 cup of crushed ice in a blender (10 seconds) is a good way to get some fruit. Ground turkey with McCormick taco seasoning is really good and good for lunch the next day too. You can add tomato's and cheese with some tostitos chips. Good luck!

[lucedith]

Hi, I'm new here. My name is Rachel, and my father, Ken, was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. He went on a shopping spree today to find gluten-free foods, and although he found a lot, he hasn't liked what he's tried so far. He wants to know if any "regular" food is gluten-free that he doesn't have to give up, like peanut butter, ketchup, certain spices, etc. I heard peter pan peanut butter is gluten-free. Is that true? I apologize for sounding so ignorant but I just learned about this yesterday (thanks, dad!) and I feel like he's not taking it seriously because his new gastroenterologist said he probably had it awhile which gives my dad some sort of superiority complex.

Thanks.

[lucedith]

Hi Rachel,

All of these suggestions are great ones. Especially sticking with foods that contain no gluten - rice, fish, meat, vegetables. His "gut" needs to heal. No fun giving up bread though.

The FDA has mandated that all new labeling beginning this year must show what allergins the food contains - gluten, nuts, eggs, shellfish etc. Gluten free foods are much tastier and the market will be expanding in the next few years. For the time being I stick with Pamela's or the Gluten-Free Pantry. A lot of it is hit and miss when it comes to individual taste.

In short it is a lot easier than when I was diagnosed in the mid 90's.

One thing I might advise for you, Rachel, is to be tested yourself. From what I've read over the years, Celiac Disease CAN be hereditary with an indication that it is passed on with a bit more frequency from father to daughter. But of course, ABSOLUTELY check with your MD first. Don't go on a gluten free diet without being tested first!! If you do not have celiac disease, but follow a gluten free diet, you will not be able to have an accurate diagnosis.

I would also have your father check with his MD about vitamins. Various vitamin B's are affected in following a gluten free diet.

Most of all, be calm. It's not the end of the world as your Dad knows it. His body will tell him when a mistake occurs - we all make them!! To this day I keep forgetting to be sure they "hold" the croutons on my salads.

[lovegrov]

Good suggestion lucedith. Actually, all first-degree relatives should be tested. My dad had what were incredibly minor symptoms, but at age 70 his blood tests and endoscopy were highly positive.

richard