Transitioning To Gluten Free

[glutenfreeCO]

I'm sure there is information all over these forums that address the start of a Gluten Free diet, but I'm feeling so overwhelmed searching for it all.

Me and my daughter do not have an official celiac or gluten intolerance diagnosis, but I don't trust the docs who say it's not possible without MAJOR symptoms. I have family members that lived 40-50+ years without a diagnosis and when finally diagnosed they've gone gluten free and feel so much better and wish they had known earlier. There's a myriad of symptoms that we both fall in to and I figured we'd try the gluten free lifestyle to see if it helps us. If it does we'll stay gluten free, if not we'll figure out our next steps from there.

When researching how to start out a gluten free diet I keep coming up with posts about basically overhauling our kitchen and buying all new items and such. I know overtime if gluten free works for us, it's probably worth the expense, but not something I can afford up front. So my question is: Will we still be able to see the benefits of gluten free (if there are any) if we don't totally sanitize and replace our kitchen?

Obvious items like foods would be removed and opened items of baking products like sugar/ baking soda/ baking powder will be set aside for non-gluten sensitive family members to avoid cross contamination (I frequently use the same measuring spoon across ingredients). But would continue using the same pots and pans (they are non-stick but without any scratches as they're practically brand new).

If I find over time we're getting reactions due to a potential contaminated surface and gluten free IS working for us I would definitely start replacing those items, but can I get away with using them to start and "try" the gluten-free diet?

Thanks for the input.

[nvsmom]

I bought a new cutting board and got rid of my wooden spoons and that's it. I have a toaster oven that has been well cleaned and scrubbed. I moved the last of my hubby's gluten containing foods and cereals to the bottom shelf of the pantry so it doesn't spill on my stuff and replaced common cooking items that were not gluten-free like soy sauce, bouliion cubes and worchestershire which I use frequently. Like you, I replaced cc'd baking items like baking soda, powder, and some sugars. I donated our canned soups, basalmic vinegar, and unopened items to the food bank or friends.

I haven't glutened myself yet, and we still have some gluteny foods in the house, so it appears to have been enough.

[tctwhite]

I am only in week 3 of being gluten-free and I accidentally glutened myself today. I was having doubts about the diet and if it was working.....until today. Ive been sick as a dog ever since. I too am not Dr diagnosed because the Dr completely botched my endoscopy My family and I are a one income family and couldn't completely overhaul our kitchen. I did purchase a very nice toaster oven for $50 bucks at Walmart. I honestly don't know how we lived without one before now. It gets used everyday, multiple times a day. I will be getting new things that will be just for me along the way. Until then, I will just wash everything really well. Like today I bought me 2 new baking spatulas. Starting the gluten-free diet has been a large expense and has put a bit of finanical strain on us, but the one time big shopping trip will last a long time. Such as gluten-free soysauce, how long will that bottle last me? Something else, check out gfoverflow.com. It will help you to buy regular things that are naturally gluten-free and not in the specialty gluten-free aisle. Like heinz ketchup and things like that. Since Im a stay at home mom, I get a lot of time to shop around and have found places online that will deliver some of the groceries I need, for a much cheaper price, and their shipping was free. Mainly I bought baking items. I got large quantities of flours for very cheap compared to Kroger. I paid $3.75+ for a 22oz bag of brown rice flour, and on the site I paid $4.77 for a 48oz bag. I have been using pots and pans that have had glutenous food cooked in them and so far Ive been lucky and been fine(knock on wood) This place is a treasure trove of information. Anytime, please feel free to PM me and we can swap secrets in our gluten-free lifestyle. Good luck!

[glutenfreeCO]

Great thank you for your experience. I think I'll start out with all our gluten cookware & replace as I go or find is necessary. We already limit packaged meals so we're used to buying natural ingredients already. To help keep cost down, I told my husband he can continue with regular bread & cereals of choice, but they'll live on the bottom shelf or there own cabinet. Just need to watch marinades that my hubby likes to grab and buy alternatives to my daughters favorite snack crackers. Though I saw Annie's has gluten free bunnies so that should work.

Waiting another week to officially start, but not allowing new gluten into the house in the meantime.

I just started learning to bake from scratch at a high altitude, so I guess my new challenge will be high altitude gluten free