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Can Gluten Be Transmitted In Tapwater?

bridgetm

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bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted

My mom keeps coming up with bizarre possible gluten sources; tap water is the latest. I think she just feels guilty about likely cross-contaminating the gluten-free banana bread she made for me this weekend, but you have to wonder.

I'm at school in Mankato and the Minnesota River is at flood stage. I'm not 100% sure where the city water comes from, but at least some of it has to come from the river which is surrounded by farm fields and looks pretty nasty from the run-off after a heavy rainfall.

So many people are worried about chemicals and hormones in our water supply because of medication disposal, why not gluten?

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

My mom keeps coming up with bizarre possible gluten sources; tap water is the latest. I think she just feels guilty about likely cross-contaminating the gluten-free banana bread she made for me this weekend, but you have to wonder.

I'm at school in Mankato and the Minnesota River is at flood stage. I'm not 100% sure where the city water comes from, but at least some of it has to come from the river which is surrounded by farm fields and looks pretty nasty from the run-off after a heavy rainfall.

So many people are worried about chemicals and hormones in our water supply because of medication disposal, why not gluten?

Because the mixture of proteins, including gliadins and glutelins, found in wheat grains, are not soluble in water.

I would revisit other things. :)

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

Because the mixture of proteins, including gliadins and glutelins, found in wheat grains, are not soluble in water.

I would revisit other things. :)

I didn't think so. I'm still 95% sure it was the banana bread, triggered by the caffeine in the Earl Grey tea, but I just couldn't have the "I don't feel comfortable with you cooking for me anymore" talk with my mother tonight.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I didn't think so. I'm still 95% sure it was the banana bread, triggered by the caffeine in the Earl Grey tea, but I just couldn't have the "I don't feel comfortable with you cooking for me anymore" talk with my mother tonight.

Would you mom consider a food diary? Of course that would include meds, vitamins, lotions, shared household equipment......

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

That is definitely something to consider; I keep a diary for myself but never thought to have one for all shared spaces. I only go home from campus one or two weekends a month so our contact is limited, but that would be a good idea when I am home.

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

... Too bad moms aren't like kids where if you make a notebook look exciting and pretty they'll want to record every thought. I still occasionally get the "oh, one bite won't hurt you" when we're at a family- or neighborhood get-together.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Ah, so you are away at school and your non-gluten free mom is cooking for you? Yes? :unsure:

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bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

Yes... I did fine all summer. I always chose the cookware (most of it new), etc. and my food was kept seperate, hands washed before touching my food. Add to that that I wasn't totally intolerant; it looked more like a sensitivity and a crumb might cause some minor inflammation, but no severe symptoms. However, now I am much more sensitive, apparently full-blown intolerant. We bought the same gluten-free banana bread mix we've made countless times since I went gluten-free 5 months ago. I think she used a different pan than usual and I didn't catch it or it was the cooling rack... Actually that's a good bet. Hindsight is 20-20... no aluminum foil this time. I got lazy because I could only be home for 24 hours and was rushing to get other things done. If this is what could happen every time I leave the kitchen, consider my lesson learned.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Be easy on yourself and your mother. Unless you live in a bubble, you can't guarantee that you will always be safe.

We don't live in a perfect world and we can only do the best that we can. Blame should be used sparingly, because the cause and reason usually comes back to us. ;) Few live in our world.

Educate yourself and hope for the best. :) There is a good quality of life out there. Ya gotta reach for it.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

Could be.

We know oil will do it - otherwise, we wouldn't need dedicated friers in order for french fries to be gluten free.

And if we boiled a piece of bread in a pan of water, would we get glutened from it? I imagine so.

However, I would also think that if gluten survives the processing of drinking water, the amounts would be very, very small. If your mom really wants to know? Suggest she purchase a gluten test kit and test the water. :)

Although, just thinking of it...more likely, if it was the water, would be the sink faucet head was contaminated. Like someone washed off pasta and some of the gluten water splashed up on the sink head.

bridgetm Enthusiast
bridgetm
Posted
  • Author

My mom has gotten much better over these rough 5 months and her thoughts about the tap water show that it's on her mind. I was just getting really frustrated last night because that's all the support she could give me when I was curled up in a ball in pain. But long distance mothering can only do so much.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

My mom has gotten much better over these rough 5 months and her thoughts about the tap water show that it's on her mind. I was just getting really frustrated last night because that's all the support she could give me when I was curled up in a ball in pain. But long distance mothering can only do so much.

Would a long distance hug help a bit?

((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))

I do think the 'she is feeling guilty about possibly glutening me with the banana bread' is right on target. Perhaps stressing that cooking for us is really hard and how much you appretiate her trying might make her feel better. Maybe you could go together and get some inexpensive or disposable stuff that she can use just for when you go home to visit to help keep CC risk down a bit.

I do hope your feeling better soon.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Would a long distance hug help a bit?

((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))

Maybe you could go together and get some inexpensive or disposable stuff that she can use just for when you go home to visit to help keep CC risk down a bit.

I got some foil pans at one of those dollar stores. 2 or 3 foil loaf pans with plastic lids for a $1. Small flat ones kind of like cookie sheets with sides, too. These would be good to cook in & you could take to school & not worry about returning them. (Unless your my Depression Era dad, he washes disposable stuff to re-use until it falls apart).

Also, as a mom, I would feel really bad if I gave my boys food that hurt them. Gave one left-over Chinese & he got food poisoning. I felt awful & he felt worse!

As long as she is willing to learn & try. I think your idea of staying with the cooking food is a good one.

You might tell her a couple of specific gluten-free products you like for treats (a kind of pretzel, cookie, cereal). Something she can get for you and feel she is spoiling you.

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