Newbie In Need Of Advice

[Bella2377]

Hello All, I was just diagnosed as having chronic colitis and gluten intolerance, I am so thankful after 5 years of being sick to have a diagnosis but over whelmed at the task of starting a gluten free life style. I am wondering if you all have any recommendations for books or websites for coping skills or cookbooks. I am trying to maintain a low fat diet but so many gluten free foods are higher in fat to make up for the lack of flavor.

i appreciate any help or advice you can offer.

Jenny

[Bobbie Jo]

Hi Bella - I'm glad you finally got some answers to your problems. That is so cool. I am 6 months into the diet and the best resource for me has been this website. As for cookbooks,I got a couple, but they are too complicated for me and I have a picky family of eaters and little time or patience to cook. Still, I just google what type of dish I want to cook and add "gluten free" and I always find it. We are basically eating the same things. My kids are new to the diet too (8 and 10 yrs old). I know what you mean about the fat and especially carbs. We try to stick to basic meat dishes like hamburger patties, salmon and chicken, then we add veggies on the side. I am so glad to find Udi bread. It's the first bread we've found that tastes really good. The people on this site have pulled me through my difficult times. Good luck! You can do this!

And oh yes - I have to tell you, Betty Crocker gluten-free cookies and brownies have kept us happy We just had some brownies tonight (Not helping you with the low fat thing, but still, it's a nice treat).

[mushroom]

I have to agree with Bobby Jo about googling for recipes. I got all gung-ho and rushed out and bought cookbooks, and then I found that lots of authors use specific flour mixes only, and they ended up being things I couldn't have or didn't like. And I kept finding things I shouldn't eat. So the cookbooks just sit on the shelf and I sit at my keyboard and google all my recipes so I can eliminate everything that I can't have or find recipes where I can substitute for the no-nos, and have put together my own personalized cookbook which suits me to a "T"

[SilverSlipper]

I think after diagnosis, everyone rushes out to buy cookbooks and bean flour!

My suggestion would be to find one or two meal 'plans' that you really like and can do easily. Write those on an index card and put those recipes (if needed) in a binder. For me, it was broiled pork chops or chicken breast, steamed broccoli and rice. (Yes, you can see what a maestro of creativity I am!). I made sure those ingredients were always on hand. Making the switch to gluten free cooking was very frustrating and (honestly) very stressful for me. I was a bit resentful of having to change the way I cook to accomodate my daughter's medical needs. (I realize how horrible that sounds.)

As I expanded and figured things out, I increased my index cards with brand names of gluten free items (such as taco shells and mixes) that she could eat. Once I had a full week of items, with supplies on hand, I felt free to experiment a little.

What we typically do now is take our recipes and convert them to gluten free. I do use gluten free cookbooks, but I equally use regular cookbooks and just make adjustments. I only buy ingredients for one new 'experiment' at a time because if I buy too much, I've blown my budget and I don't know what to cook for dinner.

I'm glad you finally have a diagnosis and hope you will feel much better soon!

[Bobbie Jo]

We are basically eating the same things.

Bella - When I say we are basically eating the same things, I mean the same things but gluten free. Like, instead of Rice Crispies (which to our shock has malt flavoring) my son eats Rice Twice which we get at our local grocery's speciality section, and it's at the health food store. We also eat gluten-free waffles, of course gluten-free bread, and we have tried frying chicken in some brown rice crumbs. Wasn't that great. Potatoes chips work for that. But we liked best - the fried chicken in the gluten-free pizza crust mix. Again - not helping you on the fat free thing! But we do that about once every 6 weeks or so.

My biggest struggle was what to pack the kids for lunch and eating out. But trial and error, we've figured it out.

We do a lot of smoothies, and I add some really good gluten-free protein mix to it for me.

Tacos are a staple. Taco Bell is a frequent stop. I eat a lot of salads with balsamic vinegar/oil dressing. For our pizza fix, we buy the frozen gluten-free pizzas at the health food store. When in a real scramble I always have on hand Tinkyada pasta, Amy's gluten-free sauce, also Frito chips and Hormel Chili WITH beans. Without beans is not gluten-free.

We actually think the gluten-free life is better. Some things taste better, plus we're eating healthier (except the many bad examples I told you about).

Oh - my 8 yr old daughter and I started a tradition after being glutenized. We go to the local chinese place (Pei Wei) and have a bowl of rice. We just had to do that after Thanksgiving

Have fun on your new diet! It's an adventure.

Honey Nut Rice Chex got me through my first few weeks too.

OK - that's it. Bye!