What Did I Do Wrong?

[AZGirl]

I am feeling terrible tonight and have no idea how I could have been glutened. I had 1 cup of plain yogurt for breakfast followed by dry plain almonds and craisins. For lunch: left over roast beef with veggies that I made, so no chance there, a cup of sugar-free chocolate pudding- I checked the label and finally I took 2 Excedrin Migraine.

I am very diligent so I don't know where I could have messed myself up, but if any of you have an idea please speak up, so I don't do this again.

[txplowgirl]

I'm sorry you feel so bad, I have heard that craisins are dusted with flour, not for sure.

[jerseyangel]

Ocean Spray Craisins are gluten-free. I'm wondering if it might be the sugar free pudding--aspertame can cause symptoms in some people as can sugar alcohols.

[GlutenFreeManna]

What brand of yogurt? Activia has a warning on it that it may contain wheat. Also is it possible that you are casein intolerant?

For the almonds did you buy a brand that is not processed with wheat? Many nuts have a warning that they "may contain wheat" or are processed on equipment that also processes wheat. But that warning is optional in the US, so unless you call them and check you don't know. It's like playing russian roulette if you are super-sensitive to cc. Craisins should be okay gluten-wise (I've never seen any with flour dusted on them anyway) HOWEVER dried fruit and nuts can cause cramping and pain, especially if you are in the early stages of healing--those things are especially hard to digest. I would lay off of raw things like that for a while if that's what you are experiencing. Eat soft foods like steamed veggies.

[sunnybabi1986]

Ocean Spray states that its beverages and sauces are gluten free, but then gives this disclaimer:

"Do Ocean Spray

[Lisa]

I agree with Patti that the Crans are gluten free. Please check their website (Oceanspray) to verify, or 1-800-662-3263

Not knowing how long you have been on the diet, but it's often recommended that you give up dairy products for a while, until healing can take place. It can often be re-introduced without issue.

[starrytrekchic]

What type of chocolate pudding? I can't eat snack pack chocolate pudding cups, and I'm not sure why. As far as I can tell, they're completely gluten free, but I've reacted to them all three times I've tried them.

[Lisa]

I have a bag of chocolate covered Craisins and they do not list gluten in their listing, but rather milk and soy.

[T.H.]

The first offenders I'd be looking at would be the almonds (biggest processing CC risk), then the craisins (I don't know them specifically, but many dried fruit has CC issues), then the pudding (only because it's got some extra additives, if it's flavored and gluten free).

The worst gluten reaction I ever had was to pistachios, actually - same as you, I figured they'd be safe, but woah....BAD reaction. My daughter and I both were very ill, yuck.

Good luck - hope that your reaction passes quickly

[Lisa]

The first offenders I'd be looking at would be the almonds (biggest processing CC risk), then the craisins (I don't know them specifically, but many dried fruit has CC issues), then the pudding (only because it's got some extra additives, if it's flavored and gluten free).

The worst gluten reaction I ever had was to pistachios, actually - same as you, I figured they'd be safe, but woah....BAD reaction. My daughter and I both were very ill, yuck.

Good luck - hope that your reaction passes quickly

With due respect, do you have any substantiated evidence for your "offenders"? Many people depend on the information found here. Links or citations are welcome.

Many companies have been friends of people with food allergies. Ocean Spray is one of them. As always mentioned here, every one is different. But, please do your research.

Board Rule # 5

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

* Any claims you make here should be based on legitimate sources, or be expressed as opinion, experience, or inquiry. You should remain on topic and be consistent with the theme of the forum as a whole.

[eatmeat4good]

I am feeling terrible tonight and have no idea how I could have been glutened. I had 1 cup of plain yogurt for breakfast followed by dry plain almonds and craisins. For lunch: left over roast beef with veggies that I made, so no chance there, a cup of sugar-free chocolate pudding- I checked the label and finally I took 2 Excedrin Migraine.

I am very diligent so I don't know where I could have messed myself up, but if any of you have an idea please speak up, so I don't do this again.

I would suspect the aspartame or sweetener in the sugar free pudding. It could also be sulphites if the craisins contained sulphites. Many dried fruits do contain sulphites and these are known to cause headache. I don't have a particular reference for you other than I googled suphites when I had such reactions. Good luck and I hope it passes quickly.

[Marz]

I'd suspect the pudding - I have had a very strong reaction to chocolate mousse pudding before. No gluten warning on it, made by a company I trust, so I assume no gluten was intentionally added. But... they do make lots of puddings containing wheat as well, so I think shared lines. They didn't warn about it, but it's fairly obvious that is the case.

Of course, I've also had creme brule puddings by the same company, and those were 100%, so perhaps it was some other ingredient disagreeing with me (I have a bad soya intolerance as well....)

[AZGirl]

You all are amazing!! Thank you for all the ideas and information!!!

I read the back of the craisen package, which was from WalMart, and it said "may contain traces of wheat." We also have a bag of Ocean Spray that says "Gluten-free" and made in a gluten free facility. I'm pretty sure that must have been it. I haven't been having problems with almonds or the SF pudding packs. I am logging my food and reactions, so maybe somewhere down the road I'll have more solid information about what happened yesterday. I am feeling a lot better today.

I had no idea that my new life would include company phone calls and researching every bite that goes in my mouth, but on the bright side I now know I have some control over how I feel.

[AZGirl]

Okay everyone just a little update. I have been feeling very good for the last few days and again today was struck by gluten unintentionally. Today when reviewing this posting I noticed a common food item- the sugar free pudding pack. I'm still not sure it's the culprit, but I went to Hunt's website to explore and they do not give the SF chocolate pudding a gluten free label. I couldn't find anything in it's ingredients that make me think it has gluten in it, but they do label other puddings in their line as "gluten free."

I know that others have had issues with pudding packs, so for now I think I'm going to avoid them.

Just so you know my day included:

Plain yogurt, a banana, coffee, lemon chicken (homemade), wild rice and green peas.

Oddly my reaction took a little while to occur. I usually know if I am eating something with gluten within the first 3-5 bites. I get very intense stomach spasms right away and the bloating begins.