Snack Ideas Or Subs For Processed Grains

[Voix]

I have been gluten-free for a few years now, and there is no doubt that it was necessary. When I slip up or eat hidden gluten, I look 17 months pregnant. There are other symptoms, too, depending upon how many days in a row I eat gluten.

However, there is something else that does not work for me. When I eat some gluten-free processed grain foods, I look 6 mos. pregnant, but I don't get any other symptoms that I have connected yet. So I know it is not a gluten reaction, (Like the product says gluten-free, but really has one part per billion in it and I react.) because I don't get the other gluten symptoms.

I cannot figure out if it is another grain or xanthum gum, because I test by eating the same type of processed grain without the gum or vice versa and don't get symptoms sometimes. It's all very confusing.

I am beginning to wonder whether it has something to do with the product being processed. Possible?

I don't react to whole rice, and some other whole grains. So I was thinking of doing a while on only eating whole grains, as far as grains go. But I find that (1) I don't always feel full or satisfied without having bread or a cracker or something like that. And other times, (2) I just need a really quick snack, like grab a cracker out of the pantry.

I can't think of substitutes for situations like that. What do the rest of you do? Grab a spoonful of prepared rice out of the fridge?

So, coping ideas and snack ideas. I think this will require a reorientation in thinking and preparation.

THANKS!

[GlutenFreeManna]

  On 9/1/2011 at 2:42 PM, Voix said:

I have been gluten-free for a few years now, and there is no doubt that it was necessary. When I slip up or eat hidden gluten, I look 17 months pregnant. There are other symptoms, too, depending upon how many days in a row I eat gluten.

However, there is something else that does not work for me. When I eat some gluten-free processed grain foods, I look 6 mos. pregnant, but I don't get any other symptoms that I have connected yet. So I know it is not a gluten reaction, (Like the product says gluten-free, but really has one part per billion in it and I react.) because I don't get the other gluten symptoms.

I cannot figure out if it is another grain or xanthum gum, because I test by eating the same type of processed grain without the gum or vice versa and don't get symptoms sometimes. It's all very confusing.

I am beginning to wonder whether it has something to do with the product being processed. Possible?

I don't react to whole rice, and some other whole grains. So I was thinking of doing a while on only eating whole grains, as far as grains go. But I find that (1) I don't always feel full or satisfied without having bread or a cracker or something like that. And other times, (2) I just need a really quick snack, like grab a cracker out of the pantry.

I can't think of substitutes for situations like that. What do the rest of you do? Grab a spoonful of prepared rice out of the fridge?

So, coping ideas and snack ideas. I think this will require a reorientation in thinking and preparation.

THANKS!

I always have baby carrots and other cut raw veggies in my fridge like cucumbers, bell peppers, celery sticks, etc. I buy or make hummus pretty often and for a snack I will dip the raw veggies in hummus. I also keep in my pantry a variety of dried fruits (craisins, rasins, banana chips, plantain chips, dried apicot, etc) seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) and nuts (cashews, almonds, and peanuts are my favorites). I also make popcorn on the stove with olive oil and add sea salt or kosher salt. Protein choices (nuts, beans, seeds, meats) are actually better at staving off hunger than carbs/grains. So if you feel like you are not full from eating grains but they are bloating you go for the nuts, seeds or some meat for a snack. You can also get pepperoni (Hormel brand is gluten-free) or dried beef (Old Wisconsin brand is gluten-free) or just keep some cooked chicken or lunch meat for snacking. I keep some pre-cooked sliced chicken breast in my freezer that only needs to be thawed in the microwave for about a mintue and then can be tossed on a salad or just eaten plain.

[kareng]

What about black bean chips like Beanitos (?). I think there are other brands. I tried one awhile back and liked it with some salsa.

[GlutenFreeManna]

  On 9/1/2011 at 3:11 PM, kareng said:

What about black bean chips like Beanitos (?). I think there are other brands. I tried one awhile back and liked it with some salsa.

Oh I am going to have to look for those!

I thought of more ideas:

Rice cakes with nut butter

Rice chips (some people have trouble with Rice Works some people don't)

Rice crackers (check the Asian section or your local Asian grocery store)

"Food Should Taste Good" makes some yummy sweet potato chips (**I don't know if they have other grains added as I've only had them once**)

I eat Wavy Lays potato chips and Kettle Chips.

Lara bars

Enjoy Life bars

[Voix]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! Keep em coming!

I need ideas for avoiding crackers and chips, etc., however. I plan to avoid these processed items until I know for sure, by eating the whole grains, that each of the non-gluten-free grains are indeed safe for me.

Then I can move on to processed goods with those grains and see if it is the processing itself (smaller particles), cc, or other ingredients that is causing bloating.

sigh. not fun.

[jebby]

  On 9/1/2011 at 4:12 PM, Voix said:

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! Keep em coming!

I need ideas for avoiding crackers and chips, etc., however. I plan to avoid these processed items until I know for sure, by eating the whole grains, that each of the non-gluten-free grains are indeed safe for me.

Then I can move on to processed goods with those grains and see if it is the processing itself (smaller particles), cc, or other ingredients that is causing bloating.

sigh. not fun.

I turn to Larabars, KIND bars, and rice cakes smeared with peanut butter and Nutella when I need a quick "filling" snack. I'm able to tolerate dairy, so I also snack on cheese sticks and yogurt. Fresh fruits and veggies are easy too. I like to make salads from fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, which I'll toss in olive oil before eating.