New And Slightly Overwhelmed!

[nikelodeon79]

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right section! I didn't see a section for introductions or anything.

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Basically, the doctor (to whom I am grateful to for actually recognizing my long list of symptoms were all related to this one thing, and for ordering the tests in the first place) told me on the phone that I have Celiac Disease, briefly outlined what it is, and sent me on my merry way. My health insurance won't pay for a nutritionist, so I'm basically on my own. I'm very glad I discovered this forum!

For the first few days, I ate nothing but corn and rice because I knew I could eat it, LOL. A friend found out that Outback Steakhouse had a gluten-free menu so she took me to eat there... I felt like a ravenous wolf!

At any rate, I'm doing better now, and slowly learning what I can and cannot eat. Pre-diagnosis, my diet was absolutely terrible (almost exclusively processed foods) so I'm excited to start eating and feeling better. Most everyone in my life has been very supportive.

My in-laws are frantic to do something to help. They keep buying me gluten-free groceries (yay!) and keep asking me for a list of things that I need. They are currently trying to sign me up for the "Gluten Free Club," which I'm trying to (politely) decline, since this forum has so much free information, and I've been able to find a lot of free recipes on the web, anyway.

What I'm really trying to come up with is a list of staples that I should give to them. This list can include items that have made a gluten-free lifestyle easier (breadmaker, extra pots & utensils, etc.) and grocery items (I do have a Whole Foods nearby). My entire household won't be going gluten-free... just me (my husband and brother will be eating a limited gluten diet, but will not totally cut out gluten).

Tips for saving money will also be appreciated. My boss got fed up with me missing so much work and, despite the fact that I was finally able to go to him with a diagnosis, decided to cut my hours. So now... my food budget will increase while my income decreases.

[heatherjane]

Hi, I hope I'm posting in the right section! I didn't see a section for introductions or anything.

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Basically, the doctor (to whom I am grateful to for actually recognizing my long list of symptoms were all related to this one thing, and for ordering the tests in the first place) told me on the phone that I have Celiac Disease, briefly outlined what it is, and sent me on my merry way. My health insurance won't pay for a nutritionist, so I'm basically on my own. I'm very glad I discovered this forum!

For the first few days, I ate nothing but corn and rice because I knew I could eat it, LOL. A friend found out that Outback Steakhouse had a gluten-free menu so she took me to eat there... I felt like a ravenous wolf!

At any rate, I'm doing better now, and slowly learning what I can and cannot eat. Pre-diagnosis, my diet was absolutely terrible (almost exclusively processed foods) so I'm excited to start eating and feeling better. Most everyone in my life has been very supportive.

My in-laws are frantic to do something to help. They keep buying me gluten-free groceries (yay!) and keep asking me for a list of things that I need. They are currently trying to sign me up for the "Gluten Free Club," which I'm trying to (politely) decline, since this forum has so much free information, and I've been able to find a lot of free recipes on the web, anyway.

What I'm really trying to come up with is a list of staples that I should give to them. This list can include items that have made a gluten-free lifestyle easier (breadmaker, extra pots & utensils, etc.) and grocery items (I do have a Whole Foods nearby). My entire household won't be going gluten-free... just me (my husband and brother will be eating a limited gluten diet, but will not totally cut out gluten).

Tips for saving money will also be appreciated. My boss got fed up with me missing so much work and, despite the fact that I was finally able to go to him with a diagnosis, decided to cut my hours. So now... my food budget will increase while my income decreases.

I don't have a lot of time to write at the moment...but just wanted to give you a few tips...others will post:

- Since you're still new, it's wise for many reasons to stay on a simple diet...eat very little processed food and avoid restaurants. This will help you heal faster, avoid cross contamination, and save money. Plus, it's healthier.

- My parents bought me my own set of pots/pans/cuttingboards, etc, for me only to use when I come visit them. They store them in big plastic bins and take them out when I visit. They don't have to spend lots of money... my folks got my cookware at Big Lots and all the extras at the dollar store.

- As for living with gluten eaters, make sure you have a segregated area in your kitchen where no gluten is allowed. Have your own toaster, cutting board, etc. Also make sure any condiments you have in the fridge are clearly marked as yours to keep gluteny utensils out (as with jelly, mayo, etc)

Hope that gives you a good start. Other people will chime in... keep asking questions.

[scarlett77]

Welcome and glad you are on the road to recovery! This place is a great resource for information and personal experience. I also like reading blogs by "Gluten Free Girl & the Chef" as well as "Gluten Free Goddess" some great recipes and ideas on those sites as well (just google them for the links). I've also found some great information from "Living Without" magazine, but it was a gift subscription so while nice, I'm not sure I would have paid for it myself. Specialty gluten free staples for me are:

Tamari (I use the SanJ I believe which I get at Whole Foods)

Udi's bread

Pamela's Pancake & Baking Mix

Pamela's Bread Mix

boxed Mac & Cheese (Annie's or DeBoles)

Pasta (I like Tinkyada because there is usually a variety and it goes on sale often)

Some nice things to have on hand but not staples:

Betty Crocker mix (they have brownie, cookie, and 2 different cake mixes)

Van's Waffles

Udi's pizza crust

Udi's bagels

Staple items that are NATURALLY gluten-free:

Fruit

Veggies (if using frozen make sure there are NO SAUCES or additives)

Meat (try to go for Organic or meats not injected with broth)

Yogurt (CHECK ingredients and manufacturers sometimes they are not gluten-free. Yoplait is usually safe)

Milk

Cheese (not Blue Cheese)

Rice

Corn tortillas (Mission is recommended...check other brands before using since sometimes they may be made by flour tortillas)

Nuts & seeds

Peanut Butter (check to make sure..I use Skippy Natural)

There's a ton more but that is basically my list. There are a lot of mainstream products such as some General Mills cereals (Chex, Fruity Pebbles, etc) that are gluten-free along with things like fruit snacks and some types of Oreida frozen potato products.

Beware of bath & beauty products also. Some lip glosses, hairsprays, lotions, etc. can accidentally be ingestion and cause reactions.

[fatlazyceliac]

I've only been Gluten-Free for 2 months, so I'm sure others will have much more advice, but here are some things I couldn't live without

- Rice cooker & vegetable steamer (yes, I know I can cook things like quinoa in a pot, but I'm lazy)

- Boxes of Oskri bars and mixes from Amazon for those times when I'm out & about (I love the Cashew/Cranberry bars)

- New toaster, pots, strainer & reusable containers - the cross-contamination had me sick.

- Orange dot stickers - how I mark my condiments and other foods that are just for me

[notme]

- Orange dot stickers - how I mark my condiments and other foods that are just for me

wow that's a great idea

[Skylark]

What wonderful in-laws you have.

My list would be:

Rice cooker - it will save your sanity!

Crockpot if you don't have one (helps with the cooking)

Bread machine if you like to use them

Fresh cutting boards

Teflon pan for non-gluten foods

gluten-free cookbooks

You will find that cooking is a lot more affordable than trying to buy gluten-free convenience foods. I'd suggest you ask for some gluten-free flour like this one that just came up recently: Open Original Shared Link and enough herbs and spices if you don't have them around to make interesting food.

If they are inclined, I love Glutino bagels, the Whole Foods brand scones and breads, and the 365 brand rice crackers. They also have a gluten-free brand of Thai ramen I like to grab when I'm there. The new Betty Crocker gluten-free mixes at the regular stores are really good too.

Good luck!

[nikelodeon79]

Thanks for all the ideas (and the support!). My in-laws are being super cool... which is really nice because things have not always been peach keen between us. Maybe this diagnosis will bring us together. I'm just having to rein them in a bit because they're so gung ho about helping... I haven't caught up with them yet! I'm trying to start small and ease my way into things (I'm completely off gluten, but am just eating a few basic foods right now until I get the hang of things). I'm going to definitely use this as motivation to get off the processed crap and start eating right. I'm sure my family (hubby and brother) will be very excited to have homecooked meals all the time. I am no stranger to cooking... but I'm usually just so darn busy that I don't have time. Now, I'll just have to make time.

My mom, on the other hand, keeps encouraging me to cheat. She's like "Oh, I don't think you have to be that careful!" when I try to explain about cross-contamination. I'm actually trying to convince her to get tested herself... she's got a lot of the same issues as I do, plus fibromyalgia and diverticulitis (sp?). Thyroid issues also run in my family.

[bincongo]

I am new too and it is true that keeping it simple with simple foods is the best advice but since I am not one to put my life on hold I am not following that advice all the time. My life saver has been the book Gluten Free Grocery shopping Guide by Matison. You can find it on line. I take it every time I shop. It has a huge list of everyday items that are gluten free. They took the time to consult manufactures to see which gluten free products they have. I also like Bisquick's gluten free pancake and baking mix.

[srall]

I just started eating gluten free (dairy free) in March. I started from only eating whole foods, then was ecstatic to find the processed gluten free foods...YAY convenience. Well, personally I had a really hard time with the processed foods, and they are very expensive.

I am back to whole foods and preparing all my own foods as much as possible. Even today I had Pad Thai at Noodles which is supposed to be safe, and I have a headache and my jaw is clenching. Just feel the best when I make the food from scratch.

I agree with the above lists. You will figure out there are a lot of foods you can eat. Just not a lot of convenient foods.

[Marilyn R]

Hi,

I've been gluten-free for a relatively short time and find that things get easier as time progresses. Here are some budget friendly gluten free ideas for your staples.

White potatoes - Make 3 times the amount you will consume for a meal. I leave the skins on, cut them up and boil them. I refrigerate 2/3 of them for later, and mash the rest of them by hand with milk. (Rice milk for me.) The leftovers can be used to make American Fries for breakfast or another meal. They can be mashed as a topping for shepard's pie. You can add diced potatoes to any lettuce salad, not just nicoise. Make a frittata. Potato salad. I buy two bags of potatoes when they're on sale for 99 cents a bag. It takes no more time and less effort to make homemade mashed potatoes then it did for me to make Rice-A-Roni back in the pre gluten-free days.

Eggs - Cheap. Besides the obvious, boiled, fried, scrambled, omelets...Devilled eggs, egg salad, (Hellman's is gluten-free but I can't have it because of the soy) sliced eggs in salads, chopped hardboiled eggs are delicious in tuna salad.

Rice - Cheap. I ditto the Rice Cooker suggestion. Oriental stores sell beautiful jasmine rice at a very reasonable price. I alternate health food purchased organic brown rice with jasmine rice each week and make a big batch of rice every weekend to consume during the week. Warmed up rice with a scrambled or fried egg on it with feta cheese works for breakfast. Stir fries are really inexpensive and an excellent way to use up leftovers. Even though I pay more for some foods, I find that I use almost everything and waste less, which is better for my conscience and the earth.

Chicken - I get every cent out of BJ's Heartland Chicken. I buy two at a time, one to shred and freeze in packets (for chicken salad, bbq chicken, chicken soup, chicken stir fries...)and one to eat during the week.

One product I love is Riceworks chips. They are delicious on their own and have a satisfying crunch. Crushed, they can be used as a filler for any stuffing recipe vs. breadcrumbs ... like meatloaf or stuffed mushrooms ... or be a breading substitute for panko (crusted fish, etc.) They make delicious natchos (Tostitos are gluten-free too)

Don't pay the big buck for gluten-free salad dressings, because you can make better dressings at home with safe ingredients and less effort than it takes to read all those ingredient labels.

I haven't bought many gluten-free labelled foods because they're so expensive. I'd rather splurge on shrimp or something that's really gluten-free without having to wonder if the producer is being honest.

All the best to you. My boyfriend doesn't miss the gluten.

[sandsurfgirl]

Eat clean in the beginning to help healing. Don't go nuts on gluten free junk foods and starchy carbs.

When you feel better here are a few things I like.

By far the best bread I've tried and the cheapest ($4 a loaf on the internet order place named after a river) is Gluten Free Pantry Basic White Bread Mix. It's super easy to make. Mix it up. Rise in the loaf pan half hour. Bake half hour. Makes a big loaf.

Tinkyada rice pasta. This is from an italian girl who was freaking about pasta. Like it a lot.

Betty Crocker cake, brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes.

Awesome peanut butter cookies super easy to make.

1 cup peanut butter.

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix up the dough. Form balls and then smash with a fork. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes until lightly browned.

AMAZING.

Glutino pretzels and wafer cookies are great. Also their crackers. I love Glutino stuff. Gluten free pantry is owned by them.

Gluten free pantry french bread and pizza mix is yummy for pizza.

[sandsurfgirl]

We are all overwhelmed in the beginning. It gets easier and then it just becomes your life.