Where Do I Begin Being Gluten-free?

[Suezboss]

The Dr. Just called with the results of the bi-opsy, it IS Celiac.

Now, he said Celiac Spruce... is that the same thing as Celiac Disease?

and I have to call them back on monday to make an appointment, to go over everthing.. and he is going to refer me to a dietican.. but now i'm going to be a werck all weeknd before I can meet with him...

so WHERE SHOUD I start??

[SueC]

Hi,

It may be a bit overwheming at first but it will get easier. I was dignosed in April and am still learning. I started with plain meat,fruits and veggies, rice and potatoes. Nothing processed. If you have a healthfood store nearby they will usually have some gluten free products. Energ-E makes a great granola bar and there is also gluten-free breads and mixes you can try. There is LOTS of great info in this message board and I'm sure you will get alot of great ideas here.

hang in there

Sue

[swittenauer]

My husband was just diagnosed this week & I have already learned so much from this website. I think seeing what people have to say that are actually experiencing the same thing is much better than all the contradictory websites. This really helps!

[Pegster]

When I was first diagnosed I started with plain rice and hard-boiled eggs. I am SO over that. I eat lots of grilled meats and vegetables. I go out to eat several times a week. I am a cereal eater, so I eat Cocoa Pebbles or gluten-free cereals from Trader Joes or Whole Foods. I eat protein burgers at In and Out and the fries, too. When I crave cookies, I buy Pamela's chocolate chunk cookies at the health food store. I order bagels, English muffin, donuts, and bread from Kinnickinnick.com, or buy Food for Life gluten free bread at Trader Joes. All fruits and vegetables are safe in their natural form. My best treat is ice cream, but dairy bothers some people. This is a way better disease to have than most! It just takes some getting used to.

[Jnkmnky]

A good place to start is imo, the parents of kids with celiac message board. So many parents show up needing help immediately to feed their child and people post away about what to feed the kids. You can find a lot there. Also the gluten free products board, of course. Just get cozy tonight in front of your computer and start browsing through the boards. I would suggest you spend most of your energy looking here as this really is a comprehensive site. If you have any specific questions, post them. Giving you a standard list of gluten free products isn't as easy as it sounds because from one coast of the U.S. to the other, foods are named differently. Some brands use different names, though they're the same product. Plus, there are many other countries represented here. Plus, the most fun thing of all is that companies change ingredients at will. You must always check that a product is STILL gluten free.

[mytummyhurts]

Now, he said Celiac Spruce... is that the same thing as Celiac Disease?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, they are the same.

[KaitiUSA]

The Dr. Just called with the results of the bi-opsy, it IS Celiac.

Now, he said Celiac Spruce... is that the same thing as Celiac Disease?

and I have to call them back on monday to make an appointment, to go over everthing.. and he is going to refer me to a dietican.. but now i'm going to be a werck all weeknd before I can meet with him...

so WHERE SHOUD I start?? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They are the same thing.

Dietitians know absolutely nothing! They know probably less then doctors. I was told by one that Spelt(a form of wheat) is gluten free...HELLO !??!

Anyways, this site is filled with info that will help.

celiac3270 posted a few months back the Delphi Forums 79 page list of gluten free products and foods...you may want to take a look at that.

Also, the safe and forbidden list https://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=12

That will help you out alot.

There are also a # of brands that are listed on the site in numerous places that will not hide anything. I can send you those if you would like, if you can't find them. Certain brands will say wheat,rye,barley,oats right on the label and they will not hide anything under otherwise questionable ingredients. Those will help you too.

Health food stores usually have a gluten free section too.. Beware some brands are bad. You can figure out lots of great brands on here.

[Merika]

Start with whole foods that you have in your pantry. Potatoes (not in a box or bag, just the potato) and rice (again, not from a flavored box/bag/freezer) for starch. Fruits and plain vegetables (steamed or sauteed with PURE olive oil or butter, not margarine or vegetable oils). Plain meats cooked in a pan or on a very very clean grill and eggs and beans.

That will get you started, even this weekend. At first, it's easiest to avoid all dressings, marinades, sauces, spice mixes, and packaged items. It's not forever - just until you have a chance to read and research the ones you normally eat and the new ones you find at the store

Next week, after you've had a chance to read online, bring your cell phone to the grocery store during business hours. Expect it to take longer than normal Leave the kids at home (if you have them....)

hth, and ask ask ask lots of questions, here and on the phone....

Merika

[Suezboss]

from a flavored box/bag/freezer) for starch. Fruits and plain vegetables (steamed or sauteed with PURE olive oil or butter, not margarine or vegetable oils).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks everyone!!!

Merika- Why not Margarine?? is it not gluten-free?

Of course, this makes it ALL the much more harder to make a transition, b/c i'm getging married in 14 days, and then leaving for a HM to Europe for 2 weeks!!! so NOT being familiar with the gluten-free lifestyle will make it SO hard being in a foriegn country... I will try my BEST and hope that the stomach pains hold off Also, I'm going to contact my caterer tomorrow, and see if they have gluten-free items, that they can at least make ME, so that I can enjoy someintg to eat on my Wedding night

I'm sure you guys will be hearing a lot from me over the next 2 weeks, as I try to cram in ALL my questions before I go!!!

QUESTION 1:

I am confused about someting... Are we allowed to eat coaco? I thought I saw somewhere that we can't have Hot Chocolate ... is that b/c the Coaco?

Question 2:

Are we allowed to eat Caramel Color? Some gluten-free products list Caramel Color in the ingerediants?

again, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!

You are really getting me through this!!!

[Merika]

Hi Suez,

i don't know about margarine. Probably some is and some isn't. I just advise staying away from all factory-produced frankenstein foods. If the box has ingredients that you don't have in your own pantry, stay away from it until you find out what it is.

Cocoa is fine. What it's mixed with is another matter. There is lots of gluten-free chocolate out there, you just need to read the label. mmmmmmmmm

Caramel color is one of those unknown items - it could be gluten-free, it might not be gluten-free, and so unless you have called the manufacturer and they can give you an answer, it's best to stay away from.

Congrats on your wedding! The caterer SHOULD be able to make you something. Just be very very clear talking with them.

Where are you going in Europe? Some places seem pretty familar with celiac, more so than in the US. There are also dining cards you can get in other languages that you can show your waiter to help you order appropriate gluten-free stuff.

Merika

[Suezboss]

Where are you going in Europe? Some places seem pretty familar with celiac, more so than in the US. There are also dining cards you can get in other languages that you can show your waiter to help you order appropriate gluten-free stuff.

Merika

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

THANKS so much!

I am going to London ( I know), Paris, and Rome.

Do you konw where I can get the cards in French and Italian? I have the Englis ones, that i'm making Fiancee copy lots of for me!

Thaks for your help!

-sue