Glutened?

[Sanson]

I made a quinoa, veggie and tahini bowl for dinner tonight and I think I've been glutened. I'm new to gluten-free and waiting for blood work to come back. I'm on day 7 and I've been 'poisioned' twice so far...or so I think! (I've cleared out all the gluten in my house that is obvious to start) Half an hour after dinner I started getting symptoms that I equate to Gluten. Extremely tired, headache, a few hives, acidic stomach etc. The only other time I've gotten a headache like this was with another Asian product, Coconut Milk that claimed to only have one ingredient. The Tahini I have is also "100% Sesame Seeds" but is from Lebanon. I've researched Asian labelling laws and can't find anything. Anyone else experience anything similar? I was wondering if if could be MSG as well eventhough it says nothing on the label?!?!

[mushroom]

I don't know, it may not even be gluten. When you first go gluten free your gut is in a very fragile state and often has problems with things that would not normally be a problem. You really have to expect some unexpected reactions especially in the first couple of weeks. It could be that your digestive system did not like the quinoa--gluten free grains are often a problem to start with. Was this a full gluten reaction for you?

[Mskedi]

It's interesting that you mentioned coconut milk as a problem. I, too, react strongly to it though there seems to be no gluten at all (I read and reread the label). It's happened twice, both times on days where I only prepared foods in my gluten-free kitchen and used products I'm familiar with. A lot of other people develop intolerances besides gluten, so apparently gluten is my intolerance. It's no fun considering I love Tom Kha Het and it's ridiculously easy to make gluten-free. We used a Thai-brand can of coconut milk the first time and an American-brand can of it the second time, so I do think it is the coconut itself and not some false labeling. The first time was about a month into being gluten-free and the second about five or six months in. I think I'll try again in a year or so.

I haven't had any problems with Tahini, but there doesn't seem to be much logic to this at all.

[Sanson]

I don't know, it may not even be gluten. When you first go gluten free your gut is in a very fragile state and often has problems with things that would not normally be a problem. You really have to expect some unexpected reactions especially in the first couple of weeks. It could be that your digestive system did not like the quinoa--gluten free grains are often a problem to start with. Was this a full gluten reaction for you?

Thanks Mushroom. At this point I don't even know what my full gluten reaction would be. I have a lot of symptoms, digestively and elsewhere, some specific to eating wheat that I know of to start. I was wheat-free for years but still endured a lot of symptoms. Given that I'm not "food hungover" this morning I won't jump to conclusions whether or not it was gluten...just yet I do eat a varied diet and have had quinoa and other gluten-free grains for years. I'm just starting to track what I put in my mouth more closely. I do hear what you mean about 'unexpected reactions' as I seem to be all over the map this week!

Mskedi- I guess the only way to know is to try the same dish and see if it happens again? Ouch! I think it's a bit ironic that these two reactions came from over sea products. I tried the Coconut Milk twice to see if that was it and I won't be trying that again with the Tahini I am going to assume that this will all take a while to get to know what I react to and what I don't. I did have casein allergies as a child (that I'm not convinced I grew out of) and I avoid popcorn like the plague. So far so good I'd say.

[Ahorsesoul]

Sanson,

Remember about cross contamination. Wood, plastic and coated pans that have contained gluten items can make you sick. Sometimes cutting out dairy and soy for a few months can help.

[Sanson]

Sanson,

Remember about cross contamination. Wood, plastic and coated pans that have contained gluten items can make you sick. Sometimes cutting out dairy and soy for a few months can help.

I'm always surprised to learn that such small amounts could have such a huge effect. By what I've been reading I realize that it can! I'm waiting for blood work to come back as it would be 'nice' to have confirmation re celiac so I know what to look out for. Not necessary as I realize my symtoms will be the best Doctor. Thanks Ahorsesoul