Overwhelmed With Going Gluten-Free And Shopping!

[cszymanski12]

Hey everyone just an update here. I went to the grocery store and got my start on strict gluten-free foods. I got rid of everything that I had that I knew was going to be tempting. This I mean in the sense of just the foods all being in my pantry and missing being able to eat those things. I wont go back now because feeling like your going to die is not worth it to have that cookie etc.

But I just had such a hard time shopping. I went alone but I have these books I bought that are supposed to help with grocery shopping. It is just so overwhelming because Im flipping through the pages and trying to see if the couple ingredients Im reading are ok or not. Its easy when it says gluten-free but some things are not so easy. I wanted to get pasta sauce for my gluten-free noodles but I didnt know what kind to get I seen organic but I seen some ingredients that I was iffy on so I didnt get it. I also am eliminating soy because it has been a big issue for me as well. But I feel like Im never going to get the hang of this.

I took like two hours and I didnt have a ton of food when I ended up leaving. I got basic things like pretzels, the Lara granola bar things, UDi's bread and cookies, popcorn, mac and cheese, cereal, banana chips, peanut butter and some other gluten-free things which I tried to get the soy free as well. I really love UDI's bread its soy, gluten, nut free. But I did get some fresh fruit and veggies like carrots and such. I am going to keep nightshades in my diet and see how this all goes.

Thankfully I didnt have a problem getting the meats I enjoy chicken and turkey but I honestly played it super safe becaues Im scared if I get something and what if it has something in it and I get super sick again its a constant fear in my mind. Also I have a question I made a grilled cheese sandwich today on my UDI's bread with cheese but I felt bad after. I additionally was constipated this evening and with my IBS thats just a battle I hate fighting. I am wondering is it better to get the unprocessed cheese then??

If anyone has any tips for shopping or foods that are safe that can help me expand my current selection that would be greatly appreciated. I did notice betty crocker had some things i was pleased. But its def not cheap I can say that. I thought back to how I used to pay like 1 dollar or 1.50 for a loaf of bread and now pay 6 dollars. I of course understand why it costs so much its just both an economical and emotional change for me and ill take all the help I can get. I am just concerned a little at the end of next week when I go to the metabolic specialist if anything will affect my testing. If this doc kicks me to the curb I am just going to stop there with the diagnosis fights. I know that I have it and the gluten-free has immensely helped my symptoms. Today was my first day of ALL gluten-free and I started crying when my mom called me because I felt like I had just been granted a wish that I thought was impossible. I know that I may have to still tweak the cheese and other things and get started on supplements especially Iron prob because I know I have been anemic that all the doctors have agreed on. Its something that you almost feel you couldnt tell anyone else because they wouldnt believe that almost all of your symptoms and things causing u to feel like your going to die just fade.

My mom is getting tested next week now as well shes way worse than I am shes got severe osteoporosis and IBS, migraines so bad she is in the ER when she gets them and Immetrex (i know thats not the spelling) doesnt work, and she has horrible arthritis and I have no idea what else. She is sick all the time its awful. I hope my mom gets her diagnosis and can start treatment along with me even if she has the diagnosis and not me. As I have said on here before my entire moms side has super bad GI issues and her, my aunt, and grandpa had hip replacements. She cant even wear shorts anymore because of the blisters she had/still gets on them and her lower back. She just learned to live like this she said when I was talking to her about it. Who knows my dad's MS may not be what its said to be either even though I actually think he really has MS.

But sorry for the rant, I would like some advice on this diet and supplements as well I feel like theres so much coming at me.

Thanks everyone as always!

[Kelly777]

I'm now a good 4 months into the gluten free living but it is in EVERYTHING. The stuff that makes my hair curl has wheat and it had to be tossed. I just saw on another board that Rice Milk is process using barley but yet it says gluten free. I'm going to research that and call them. I found a gluten free label on Russian Wishbone salad dressing last night at Safeway but when I read the ingredients it clearly stated on the bottle that the Maltodextrin was made with corn and wheat. It takes me at least two hours because I read the labels regardless. I have a hard time with soy but not so much soy lecithin. Like you, I have problems with dairy. That is getting better as time goes on. Hard cheeses I can tolerate but tonight we had quiche gluten free with soft cheeses in them and even though I took Lactaid prior to eating I am still having some problems tonight. It is just tincture of time and I have found out that you just have some very good days and some bad days still. About the grocery shopping...Kroger has a gluten free list of products they will give you because they are way committed to helping people with the disease. They even gave me a booklet with coupons in it when I was just there looking for a pizza crust on sale. They go way out of their way to help you get through the gluten free maze!!

[cszymanski12]

I'm now a good 4 months into the gluten free living but it is in EVERYTHING. The stuff that makes my hair curl has wheat and it had to be tossed. I just saw on another board that Rice Milk is process using barley but yet it says gluten free. I'm going to research that and call them. I found a gluten free label on Russian Wishbone salad dressing last night at Safeway but when I read the ingredients it clearly stated on the bottle that the Maltodextrin was made with corn and wheat. It takes me at least two hours because I read the labels regardless. I have a hard time with soy but not so much soy lecithin. Like you, I have problems with dairy. That is getting better as time goes on. Hard cheeses I can tolerate but tonight we had quiche gluten free with soft cheeses in them and even though I took Lactaid prior to eating I am still having some problems tonight. It is just tincture of time and I have found out that you just have some very good days and some bad days still. About the grocery shopping...Kroger has a gluten free list of products they will give you because they are way committed to helping people with the disease. They even gave me a booklet with coupons in it when I was just there looking for a pizza crust on sale. They go way out of their way to help you get through the gluten free maze!!

Thank you! I will have to try Kroger, I am more than open to go wherever I can. I feel like it is different with each and every one of us what we can tolerate. We all at least have in common that gluten is an absolute poison. I feel it is just super hard to get a grasp when buying something because Ill see its gluten free and want to get it but then I realize that I need to look closely at the other ingredients because of the soy issue and such. I noticed on some products also its the wheat that sometimes can be easily missed too. Its these other names that they have on the ingredient labels that trick you because it doesnt just say wheat or oat etc. I feel like I am going to be playing it safe for a while but I dont feel like thats a bad idea. Would it be a bad idea to get a nutritionist?? I have read that a few on here have had them but havent heard the opinions on how well they have worked or not.

I have learned that mexican food is ok in some cases. The corn tortillas and such are ok. The ground beef is not something to get because of the thickeners they put in the sauce with it. I heard a few other things on the menus that are ok as well. However, for many of us there are still lots of restrictions with the condiments and I personally dont do very well with salsa and now starting gluten free im not even sure if thats safe. I know it was always a bother for me because its spicy and with my GERD it caused a lot of irritation and made it worse. I feel like I have so much to learn still. I also have learned that flour is something I cant be near. I mentioned on here once that I was making cupcakes with my roommate and the flour slit out of the bag and some got on my arms and my thighs and my rashes were horrible I couldnt believe it within hours what had happened. Are there any problems with nuts or any specific kinds of nuts?? Any certain kinds of chocolate?? Sorry for so many questions Im just thinking about the things I liked every once and a while and I am hoping that there is a way to still enjoy them in some way.

[hnybny91]

I usually shopat Sprouts because they have the gluten free tags on the shelf. It makes it so much easier.

[zimmer]

Since recently starting down the gluten-free road, my family and I are going the "whole foods" route - veggies, fruits, meats, nuts & seeds, and some hard cheese & yogurt. When you add other ingredients yourself, like different kinds of oils, certain vinegars, garlic, lemon, onion, ginger, salt & pepper - it makes for a full fridge & pantry with lots of options to cook with. No label reading necessary!

We've had lots of soups, stews, salads, etc. Actually we are eating better now than we have in years, because I HAVE to cook and not rely on the convenience foods. I like to cook, and this has helped me to focus and get back to a healthful eating routine.

There are so many ingredients in so many things, I am just avoiding them altogether. It's easier and cheaper right now to stick with the basics. As I learn more, I will add some of the other things back in, especially the baked goods like cookies, cakes, etc.