Keeping Your Home Gluten Free?

[weishy]

Hi, I have a son that has gluten issues. He gets severe stomache pains along with other symptoms after a day at school if he doesn't wash his hands well before he eats. So i'm wondering what others do when trying to keep ones homes gluten free regarding cleaning methods and how they deal with having guests over to their homes. After having friends over I usually clean up... ALOT. I'm feel like at times I may be over doing it or over thinking the whole thing, but at the same time I feel that it logically makes sense to clean and wipe things down the way I do. Any thoughts?

[shayesmom]

  On 1/26/2010 at 8:45 AM, weishy said:

Hi, I have a son that has gluten issues. He gets severe stomache pains along with other symptoms after a day at school if he doesn't wash his hands well before he eats. So i'm wondering what others do when trying to keep ones homes gluten free regarding cleaning methods and how they deal with having guests over to their homes. After having friends over I usually clean up... ALOT. I'm feel like at times I may be over doing it or over thinking the whole thing, but at the same time I feel that it logically makes sense to clean and wipe things down the way I do. Any thoughts?

My daughter is super-sensitive to gluten and also very sensitive to dairy, soy and egg. It became apparent to us very early on that we couldn't have a "mixed" household. And so, we do not allow offending foods in the home. Period. The only exception we have made is with coffee creamer and regular milk for guests.

In which case, wiping things down is just a regular household chore, not one aimed at decontaminating things which could bring on a reaction.

It has taken some time to develop recipes and menus that cater to the diet as well as being guest-friendly. But so far, it hasn't been a problem. In fact, I've had several people ask for recipes and they've also responded with a bit of shock at the fact that the food offered was "normal". We also recently had a large family get-together where everything offered was safe for my daughter. We had tons of food and no one even realized they were eating from an allergen-friendly menu. We got rave reviews.

I don't think you're "overdoing" things by cleaning up after having offending foods in the house. If your child got CC'd after such an event and you hadn't put forth the effort to clean up, you'd kick yourself for not having done better. But it can be tiring putting forth that effort before AND after a party. So it may interest you to find some safer alternatives so that you can relax and have fun a bit too.

[MaryJones2]

  On 1/26/2010 at 8:45 AM, weishy said:

Hi, I have a son that has gluten issues. He gets severe stomache pains along with other symptoms after a day at school if he doesn't wash his hands well before he eats. So i'm wondering what others do when trying to keep ones homes gluten free regarding cleaning methods and how they deal with having guests over to their homes. After having friends over I usually clean up... ALOT. I'm feel like at times I may be over doing it or over thinking the whole thing, but at the same time I feel that it logically makes sense to clean and wipe things down the way I do. Any thoughts?

Everything in our house is gluten-free and guests (evening and overnight) eat gluten-free when they are visiting. We tried to be flexible with guests but it just didn't work as they often don't understand enough and it really stinks to have to fully disinfect the house every time. Plus, my home should be the one place I can eat anything anytime without thinking. I've only had a few complainers and it's always family never friends.

[weishy]

Thanks for the input!

My second question is do you believe that because gluten is a sticky protein that it's possible to pick it up on your own hands just by for example going to a coffee shop and sitting in a chair where someone/people have eaten gluten items. If they dropped food there or rubbed their hands on the chair after eating their glutinous foods, do you think you could also pick up the gluten on your hands just from touching the same areas on the chair? Frankly I do, but again I was hoping to hear what other people think...I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that all this isn't in my head. I've run into my share of people who are kind, but in the end didn't get it and apparently thought that I've lost a marble or two when talking about our gluten issues.

[elle's mom]

  On 1/27/2010 at 10:34 PM, weishy said:

Thanks for the input!

My second question is do you believe that because gluten is a sticky protein that it's possible to pick it up on your own hands just by for example going to a coffee shop and sitting in a chair where someone/people have eaten gluten items. If they dropped food there or rubbed their hands on the chair after eating their glutinous foods, do you think you could also pick up the gluten on your hands just from touching the same areas on the chair? Frankly I do, but again I was hoping to hear what other people thought...I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that all this isn't in my head. I've run into my share of people who are kind, but in the end didn't get it and apparently thought that I've lost a marble or two when talking about our gluten issues.

First of all in response to your first post: I totally agree with everything the other two posters said. We also have guests over all the time and when they eat in our home, they eat gluten free. We have really become quite eloborate, at least compared to before for us, on our meals since going gluten free, and mostly "normal" food too. Not being able to eat out has had a really positive effect on our family. Our guests do often ask us for recipes. You really can have just about anything you crave in gluten free form, just in a different form. It's a family adjustment, but it really truly makes life much easier than having to clean up all the time like you're saying. I used to stress out so much about the steam from the gluten spaghetti noodles and dipping the wrong spoon into the sauce etc, it's so much nicer not to have to worry. I also especially agree with the thought that the home should be one place that is totally "safe", especially for your child.

Second: I personally do think one could pick up gluten from a surface. I get the feeling that people think I've lost a few marbles too, but there comes a point when you just have to say 'oh well' and do what you know is right:) Keep at it!