Recent Diagnosis

[Dana Ward]

I was diagnosed with Celiac disease recently, and I my world has been turned around, to say the least! I have had a barrage of questions from friends and family and sometimes get quite overwhelmed, especially since the holidays are in full swing. I would love some ideas for side dishes for Christmas dinner, as well as good books, other recipes, etc. Thanks!

Dana

[mamaw]

Hello & Welcome

I know people's questons can be overwhelming for you since you don't have the answers as yet yourself...It takes alot of time& energy to learn how tomanage this disease but itdoes all come together...I suggest starting out doing the easy things that you know are gluten-free.IE: naked meats, (no pre-seasoned, no marinades, no sauces, no rubs--- JUST NAKED)same with veggies & fruits, all plain. McCormick clearly labels their spices & seasonings..

You will have to become a label reader ....

Once you know this easy step of everything naked , move on to another step.. By taking it in steps you will learn & retain & not get overwhelmed...once you fry your brain with overloadit thenbecomes difficult for anyone to move in the right direction...

Since it is so close to the holiday I suggest buying some ready-made gluten-free treats at a bakery or mailorder or if you have time buy a few gluten-free mixes. This will cut-down on the stress level at this time of year..Many do not like or care to cook & bake or are just learning ...

You will need to check out your cookware, utensils, rubber, wood or plastics, strainer& cutting board ,for dents & scratches where gluten may hid in. These wil need to be replaced. Teflon as well...any porous surface where gluten can hid can make your recovery slow down ....and will not be safe for gluten-free use..

Your toaster, breadmaker, hand mixer need to be replaced. They do make toasta bags for the toaster so if you use those you can keep the toaster....

Now for the holiday meal. You can have ham or turkey or whatever you choose just read the label or call the company & ask if there product is gluten-free..For instance Honeysycle turkey is gluten-free, so is Butterball..

Potatoes are gluten-free but not when someone adds flour to them to make scallopedpotatoes... Sweet potatoes are gluten-free so are most marshmallows, brown sugar, maple syrup to make candied spuds...Just a couple examples..

Today you can get most anything that is a wheat product in a gluten-free clone.. Not all things are great tasting as brands of gluten-free are very different. Some no one can swallow so ask before you spend your hard earned buck on somehting the dog will not eat...Speaking of the dog-- pet food contains gluten so if you have pets check that out...

Hidden gluten can be found in many things too.. ie: soy sauce. (goodnews there are gluten-free ones) LaChoy, San J, Kikkomen clearly labeled)

I hope this will get you started, again I don't want to give to much info at a time. But if you have a specfic question just ask & we all can get you through the holidays...

Glutino orSnyder's makes yummy gluten-free pretzels.

Lay's & Doritosare labeled.

Progresso has many gluten-free soups ( labeled)

Philly cream cheese is gluten-free

Veleeta gluten-free

distilled vinegar isgf but not malt vinegar

Hellman's, miracle whip gluten-free

cheese whiz gluten-free

many yogurts are gluten-free but Dannon is not gluten-free only the plain in Dannon is gluten-free.And no add-inn flavors with granola...

Breyer's, Dreyer'sEdy's ice cream are gfbut no add-ins.

Dairy queen soft serve is gluten-free, I stay away from blizzards because they use the same blender for all blizzards which some have gluten so a CC issue ...

Again this is a very small list..

I'm a gluten-free mentor if you want to pm me I will answer your questions........

blessings

mamaw

[Dana Ward]

Thank you! I may be coming to you quite a bit! My mother in law just asked about Velveeta and cheez whiz!

Hello & Welcome

I know people's questons can be overwhelming for you since you don't have the answers as yet yourself...It takes alot of time& energy to learn how tomanage this disease but itdoes all come together...I suggest starting out doing the easy things that you know are gluten-free.IE: naked meats, (no pre-seasoned, no marinades, no sauces, no rubs--- JUST NAKED)same with veggies & fruits, all plain. McCormick clearly labels their spices & seasonings..

You will have to become a label reader ....

Once you know this easy step of everything naked , move on to another step.. By taking it in steps you will learn & retain & not get overwhelmed...once you fry your brain with overloadit thenbecomes difficult for anyone to move in the right direction...

Since it is so close to the holiday I suggest buying some ready-made gluten-free treats at a bakery or mailorder or if you have time buy a few gluten-free mixes. This will cut-down on the stress level at this time of year..Many do not like or care to cook & bake or are just learning ...

You will need to check out your cookware, utensils, rubber, wood or plastics, strainer& cutting board ,for dents & scratches where gluten may hid in. These wil need to be replaced. Teflon as well...any porous surface where gluten can hid can make your recovery slow down ....and will not be safe for gluten-free use..

Your toaster, breadmaker, hand mixer need to be replaced. They do make toasta bags for the toaster so if you use those you can keep the toaster....

Now for the holiday meal. You can have ham or turkey or whatever you choose just read the label or call the company & ask if there product is gluten-free..For instance Honeysycle turkey is gluten-free, so is Butterball..

Potatoes are gluten-free but not when someone adds flour to them to make scallopedpotatoes... Sweet potatoes are gluten-free so are most marshmallows, brown sugar, maple syrup to make candied spuds...Just a couple examples..

Today you can get most anything that is a wheat product in a gluten-free clone.. Not all things are great tasting as brands of gluten-free are very different. Some no one can swallow so ask before you spend your hard earned buck on somehting the dog will not eat...Speaking of the dog-- pet food contains gluten so if you have pets check that out...

Hidden gluten can be found in many things too.. ie: soy sauce. (goodnews there are gluten-free ones) LaChoy, San J, Kikkomen clearly labeled)

I hope this will get you started, again I don't want to give to much info at a time. But if you have a specfic question just ask & we all can get you through the holidays...

Glutino orSnyder's makes yummy gluten-free pretzels.

Lay's & Doritosare labeled.

Progresso has many gluten-free soups ( labeled)

Philly cream cheese is gluten-free

Veleeta gluten-free

distilled vinegar isgf but not malt vinegar

Hellman's, miracle whip gluten-free

cheese whiz gluten-free

many yogurts are gluten-free but Dannon is not gluten-free only the plain in Dannon is gluten-free.And no add-inn flavors with granola...

Breyer's, Dreyer'sEdy's ice cream are gfbut no add-ins.

Dairy queen soft serve is gluten-free, I stay away from blizzards because they use the same blender for all blizzards which some have gluten so a CC issue ...

Again this is a very small list..

I'm a gluten-free mentor if you want to pm me I will answer your questions........

blessings

mamaw

[mamaw]

you are very welcome...just ask.. I've been gluten-free for years & I stay updated ...I test market for gluten-free as well...And there are 2 adults & 2 kids gluten-free.... I've got a handle on it... Doctors & hospital refer people to me after they dx...

Here are a few more suggestions for gluten-free goodies..

Celiac Specialites has the very best donuts & crossiant rolls plus more(these two are our favs)

everybody eats has baguettes & ficeillerolls --excellent

Feel Good Foods has asian dumplings & egg rolls coming in Jan 2012 that are so tasty & I am not an chinese foodie...

A few flour blends that are excellent: Better Batter( also loads of recipes on site)

Jules flour

Tom Sawyer flour

Meister flour

Domata Livng flour ( we love the seasoned flour for fish & chicken. My gluten family uses it as well..

blessings

mamaw

[Reba32]

eeeeeewwwwwwwwww Velveeta and cheez whiz? That's not food!

The "Living Gluten Free for Dummies" is a good book as is "The Gluten Connection" (both available online just google 'em)

Holiday meals are easy, just stay away from packaged frankenfoods (like the above mentioned eeeeeeewwwwwwwww!) and stick with all natural whole foods that Nature made herself. Fresh, unadulterated turkey is gluten free. So's broccoli and sweet potatoes. Or pork roast. And roast beast.

try here for some dessert recipes Open Original Shared Link

and here Open Original Shared Link

You can do this! It's really pretty easy.

[mamaw]

Many foods we have lived with for years are not healthy foods but when we have everything we are used too eating healthy or not taken away people can feel food deprived. This makes for a very negative start to a new gluten-free lifestyle...So at the beginning I see nothing wrong with the so called unfoods that many eat daily ...

I've been gluten-free for years & when I instantly changed & went gluten-free I wasn't worried if I was eating rice flour & startches I just wanted to be able to eat anything that was safe...and prior to going gluten-free I ate a very clean diet. After I understood all the ins & outs of the gluten-free lifestyle I then began to find healthy alternatives with healthy choices...Some folks have no idea what clean eating or a healthy diet means...Our society in general are not healthy eaters...fast food & junk food is the mainstream....

I craved pizza when I started & it tasted like cardboard , now there are some fine pizzas available & I never or hardly ever eat pizza now.. I've found better healthy choices & I don't crave pizza anymore...

Many things that one loved when a gluten eater they loose that desire for it when they heal their system...

gluten-free can be mind-boggling for some & can cause depression while trying to transition to gluten-free. I feel the easier the transition the better off the person to stick to the gluten-free lifestyle..

Just my two cents.....

[Lisa]

Many foods we have lived with for years are not healthy foods but when we have everything we are used too eating healthy or not taken away people can feel food deprived. This makes for a very negative start to a new gluten-free lifestyle...So at the beginning I see nothing wrong with the so called unfoods that many eat daily ...

I've been gluten-free for years & when I instantly changed & went gluten-free I wasn't worried if I was eating rice flour & startches I just wanted to be able to eat anything that was safe...and prior to going gluten-free I ate a very clean diet. After I understood all the ins & outs of the gluten-free lifestyle I then began to find healthy alternatives with healthy choices...Some folks have no idea what clean eating or a healthy diet means...Our society in general are not healthy eaters...fast food & junk food is the mainstream....

I craved pizza when I started & it tasted like cardboard , now there are some fine pizzas available & I never or hardly ever eat pizza now.. I've found better healthy choices & I don't crave pizza anymore...

Many things that one loved when a gluten eater they loose that desire for it when they heal their system...

gluten-free can be mind-boggling for some & can cause depression while trying to transition to gluten-free. I feel the easier the transition the better off the person to stick to the gluten-free lifestyle..

Just my two cents.....

Pizza is not to be missed, while adjusting to the diet for a lifetime. Velveeta and Salsa can be of some comfort, if nothing less than knowing it's not the end of the world

[IrishHeart]

I compiled this list for my family and a friend with celiac disease. It is a starting point for information about celiac, safe/unsafe foods and some menu suggestions. Hope it gives you some ideas!

For info:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Dietary concerns

[notme]

TINKYADA BRAND rice pasta is pretty good! Cook 13 minutes exactly)

HAHAHA too funny - we cook for 13 minutes exactly, too, even though the package says 15-16 min - that stuff is The Kind pasta - i cook gluten-free for the whole family and they complained loudly over other pasta substitutions!! now my husband says he likes it better than regular wheat pasta. also: the tinkyada fettucini is a good sub for egg noodles - we have it with stroganoff or i make it with butter and herbs as a side dish.

[IrishHeart]

HAHAHA too funny - we cook for 13 minutes exactly, too, even though the package says 15-16 min - that stuff is The Kind pasta - i cook gluten-free for the whole family and they complained loudly over other pasta substitutions!! now my husband says he likes it better than regular wheat pasta. also: the tinkyada fettucini is a good sub for egg noodles - we have it with stroganoff or i make it with butter and herbs as a side dish.

My cousin's wife gave me that tip after I complained LOUDLY that it was too mushy!!

It works every darn time--13 mins.---whether it is elbows or penne or ziti! I tell everyone.

Fettucini, huh? YUM---I'll have to get some--thanks a bunch!