Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

Michi8

Advanced Members
  • Posts

    926
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Contact Methods

  • Website URL
    http://

Profile Information

  • Location
    Alberta, Canada

Recent Profile Visitors

12,442 profile views
  • Mandy42

    Mandy42

  • Wendyb123

    Wendyb123

Michi8's Achievements

  1. Sorry to burst your bubble but Rice Crispies have Malt in them and in Canada they have Barley and Malt so they are not considered Gluten Free, although it is probably a very small amount of it; it is still considered to contain gluten.....BUT they now make gluten free rice crispies information on that is on the thread below :)

    Gluten Free Rice Krispies are now available in the US. There are no plans by Kelloggs, at this point, to bring the product to the Canadian market.

  2. Lara Bars and Glutino Breakfast bars...EWWWW. My horse who loves everything spit them out after a nibble too haha.

    Kinnickinnick and Pamela's are my favorite brands!

    I love Lara Bars, and like Glutino Breakfast bars...I actually do. :D

    I also prefer Mrs. Leepers corn pasta to Tinkyada rice pasta.

    The worst product I've ever tried was Enjoy Life Cranapple Crunch granola. It was worse than eating cardboard...more like hard clumps of hay with rock hard fruit mixed in. Blech!

  3. food Mart in wakefield- I think I know where that is. My sis lives in Rreading- I'll have to tell her! Thank you!

    I can't believe Boston's doesn't even have a location in MA. That's ridiculous!

    Boston's Gourmet Pizza are the US version of Boston Pizza which is a Canadian company. As I understand it, they are fairly new to the US. The first Boston Pizza was in Edmonton, Alberta...though the Boston Pizza chain stopped offering gluten free pizzas around here (I live just outside of Edmonton). Don't know about the franchises in the rest of Canada.

    Michelle

  4. What are the ingredients? Have you called and checked with the manufacturer, which should have been your first move?

    Please do not post a headline to a topic declaring that a product is not gluten-free simply because you didn't react well. That proves nothing at all. Maybe it isn't gluten-free, but nothing you've posted has proven that. You need to call the manufacturer.

    richard

    PS -- I tried getting onto the Miralax website but it froze up.

    Miralax is PEG-3350 (Polyethylene Glycol.) It is gluten free. We can't buy Miralax in Canada, so we get PEG-3350 from the compounding pharmacy.

    Michelle

  5. I have read that D2 and D3 are equally effective.

    But the most reliable source of vitamin D is the sun. It does not need to be absorbed. Stand in the sun for 10-15 minutes WITHOUT sunscreen and your body will make all the vitamin D you need for that day.

    My understanding is that the body is not efficient at changing vitamin D2 to D3 (the type our bodies need), so D2 is not necessarily a good choice.

    Yes, skin exposure to the sun is important too. However, that's difficult for those of us further north, who have winters that last 6 months of the year. Supplementation is essential to counteract the lack of skin exposure to sunshine, and potential side effects (such as SAD.)

    Michelle

  6. Vance's DariFree is a good substitute. My kids thought it was the closest in taste to milk of all the substitutes...especially good with cereal. This is the list of ingredients:

    Maltodextrin (from potatoes), Natural Flavors (no MSG), Crystalline Fructose, Calcium Carbonate, colored with Titanium Dioxide (an inert mineral), Carrageenan, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), dl Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Vitamin A Palmitate, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin K1, Thiamin mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Biotin.

    In Canada, the product is Dairy-Free by English Bay Batter. The ingredients list is similar. I noticed that they are changing from tetrapaks to a dry mix. It appears Vance's has already done so.

    Michelle

  7. Or are women with auto immune diseases just all continuously lumped into the "hysterical" category with people with emotional issues ?

    I think many of them are. Especially during the many years it takes for proper diagnosis of autoimmune disease. I believe that is the category I've been lumped into, since I have no concrete lab results to explain my symptoms. Going on 7 years of trying to figure it out now. <_<

    Michelle

  8. Hello Kfielder,

    I actually am very allergic to soy, but can tolerate soybean oil, but no way can I tolerate soy lecithin. I don't understand it other than that maybe the soy oil is not as processed as soy lecithin? I really don't know. I have asked my allergist but am waiting for her response. I am totally confused about the soy thing too. I can tolerate soy oil in salad dressing, but if I eat just 3 M&M's with soy lecithin I am sick for 3-4 days and I mean sick sick. It'll be good for a 5 lb weight loss just over those few of M&M's. Our bodies are all so different, it's weird stuff! I hope we can get more people to respond to this one....:)

    Oils, because of the way they are processed, do not contain the offending allergenic protein. In theory, one should be able to tolerate soy oil when they are allergic to soy, or peanut oil when they are allergic to peanut.

    The problem is with cross-contamination. You just can't ensure that the oil has not come into contact with the unprocessed proteins, so, for those with serious allergies, avoidance is a must.

    Michelle

  9. Hi. I have been gluten-free, DF, and SF (and several others) since thanksgiving 2008. I went to the dentist in January 2009 and she was extremely impressed with how much my gums have improved. She had been watching some teeth and they hadn't gotten worse. I just went yesterday (july 2009) and now these teeth are sooooo much worse. She is very concerned with how aggressive the decay is from the 6 months that have gone by. I seem to be sensitive to dyes so I switched to Tom's of maine wintermint toothpaste ~4mos ago.... When I went to the dentist, they seemed almost put out by the need to use gluten free products. The dentist was nice but even she seemed frustrated and was only concerned about hte teeth and not my health. Help! Suggestions?? Why are my teeth so bad all of a sudden? A was wondering if maybe wheat noodles (products) aren't as bad for teeth and rice is so maybe I should be brushing more often??? Or the toothpaste is too harsh (it has calcuim in it) or something? And please, how do I find a dentist who is knowledgable or at least sensitive to allergies/Gluten?? Thank you!

    If you had such bad decay in the last 6 months, I'm wondering if you're still unknowingly ingesting gluten? Does your toothpaste have flouride? If not, perhaps ensuring it does (Tom's of Maine does have flouridated toothpaste too) may help stave of decay.

    I'm not sure how to ensure you find the "right" dentist. I was able to request gluten free products at my dentist without problem, and it has been written into my chart. I asked in advance of my appointment so that they had some time to research and have the right products for my next appointment. For me they us plain pumice for cleaning, unflavoured floss, and unflavoured flouride gel. The gloves would be the other potential gluten source...the powder inside can have gluten in it.

    I have to say, regardless of the gluten content, the unflavoured stuff is much preferable, to me, over the flavoured...that stuff was migraine-inducing! My middle son used unflavoured stuff too, it was the only way he was willing to sit for a cleaning (took a few years to figure it out....he found the flavours to be overwhelming to his super-tasting palate!)

    Michelle

  10. I haven't seen one but maybe I should. I still suffer from a lot of the stomach problems associated with celiac which is why I figured I had it but they become secondary to the other stuff I mentioned. Now I wonder if it's possible to be allergic and have celiac too?

    Thanks for the your help though. It all started after the meds from surgery! Anesthesia, femerol, vicodin, percocet and two types of antibiotics that they had to change because of an allergic reaction to the first one (I don't remember some type of spore I think). Needless to say I am very very apprehensive to take any pill and painkiller after that. When the itchiness began for the very first time I took Benadryl but it did not help one bit and it kept me up all night long. I know of only one other person that has an adverse effect to Benadryl but apparently it does happen to a few people.

    The only thing that cured this was a Gluten-Free and casein-free diet, and a super strict one at that. It's like I have the symptoms of both an allergy and celiac...I wonder if there is anyone else that has happened to???

    Thanks for your responses so far!

    Yes, you can have both celiac and allergy. But even if it's "just" a severe allergy to wheat, and not celiac, you would need to eliminate it from your diet. The thing with an anaphylactic allergy, though, is that each time you're exposed to the allergen could end up being your last time...a closed airway can be deadly if not treated immediately.

    I would consider seeing an allergist for testing for foods and meds. My son had to be tested for penicillin allergy (he had a reaction to his first dose when he was a baby) and now carries an epipen, and we need to be hyper-vigilant, when he is being medically treated, that he is not given penicillin accidentally. When my son was in emerg. due to mono, the attending ENT was prescribing penicillin for his throat, even though I repeatedly said that my son was allergic. Thank goodness the resident was listening properly and got everything corrected!

    Michelle

  11. That does sound like an allergic reaction...and a pretty bad one! I would be concerned about anaphylaxis if your throat is swelling. Have you seen an allergist? Has any doctor suggested you carry an epipen?

    I would also suspect allergy to meds with the reaction you list about your knee surgery. Itchiness after surgery meds isn't unusual (morphine can really cause itchiness...patients are typically given Benadryl to counteract that), nor is some swelling if you've been given IV fluids, but a serious reaction indicates something more serious!

    Michelle

  12. Not all cases of asthma have ongoing symptoms of cough or wheezing. Those who are triggered by allergy or exercise will not show these signs until exposed to the triggers. It is entirely possible for allergy meds to keep an allergy at bay, including asthma symptoms, especially if they're taken on a regular basis.

    My own asthma is allergy induced. I will wheeze, needing my inhaler, at the beginning of the colder months when our forced-air furnace starts up (thus spreading dust into the air). I also start to wheeze when exposed to the air inside a house with cats for a length of time. I expect my daughter (7 yo) will be developing asthma in her teen years too, due to her pattern of allergy: eczema reactions, changing to food reactions, then (eventually) breathing reactions...she already gets nose bleeds from certain tree pollens.

    Michelle

  13. I found a list of shampoos that are good for eczema. Can anyone tell me if any of these are gluten free or not? I can't be the only one with eczema and celiac here.

    Nizoral Shampoo

    Aquaphor Body Wash

    Selsun Blue Medicated Formula

    Neutrogena T-Gel

    Head & Shoulders

    Tar Shampoos

    Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap Treatment

    Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo and Treatment

    Dove Intense Moisture Shampoo

    Sebulex

    You may want to try a sulfate-free shampoo to see if it helps. I use Mastey Traite cream shampoo, which is sulfate free, and has no wheat or gluten ingredients that I can see on the label (I have not called to confirm with the company about it's official gluten-free status). It has been very gentle on my scalp and hair, and doesn't aggravate my skin like some other shampoos do (Dove is not good for me.) The bonus is that my colour lasts longer too. :)

    BTW, there is some question about the safety of tar shampoos, as the tar is carcinogenic in large doses.

    Also, there has been recent info released about the effectiveness of bleach baths on eczema:

    Open Original Shared Link

    I know that my own dd's eczema improved greatly when she was swimming in a chlorinated pool on a regular basis too. That said, it works well as long as you're not sensitive to chlorine like I am (my skin reacts when I swim on a regular basis.)

    Michelle

  14. I have heard that many celiacs are intolerant to milk (among other things). I think for me giving up cheese would be harder than the grains. I can substitute other things for wheat. But I don't think I can give up pizza (gluten-free of course) or cheese, ice cream etc.

    I am wondering how many of you are also intolerant to milk, and if you know if you are lactose (sugar) intolerant or casein (protein) intolerant.

    I am getting tested for casein intolerance with my gluten tests at enterolab. I want to feel better but I am not quite ready to give up my dairy products. (I haven't been drinking milk and have been going very easy on the cheese). I have been gluten-free for 2 weeks and I am noticing a difference for sure.

    So please respond even if you are NOT casein intolerant. I am trying to get an idea what the odds are. Does anyone have a percentage from an article or something? How about soy?

    I'm lactose intolerant. Going gluten free improved my intolerance, but I have fallen off the wagon, and my lactose intolerance has become worse again.

    My whole family went dairy free for a good while, mainly to narrow down health issues with my ds. Through that challenge we found out that he is lactose intolerant, but not allergic/intolerant to casein. When it comes to reacting to lactose, I have a much easier time with higher fat dairy (cream is easier to digest than skim milk) because lactose levels are higher in lower fat milk. Yogurt and hard cheeses are no problem at all, as the lactose is typically very low/non-existant.

    When we were dairy free (which was just as difficult as being gluten free...you have to read every label), we tried all sorts of milk replacements. I do not do well with soy myself (I have problems with allergy to some legumes), and we weren't fond of rice milk. Almond milk was great in coffees and in baking. The hands-down winner for drinking and using in cereal was "Dairy Free", which is a gluten free vegetable-based product.

    Michelle

  15. since the banana seems to be bothering my tummy and not OAS is that something different? I am still thinking it might be in my imagination..but it seems sometimes it bothers me, sometimes not.

    I don't know for sure. My obvious OAS symptoms are itchy mouth, throat, ears, and I know I will react in my eyes and on broken skin too if I have the allergen on my hands and touch my eyes or skin. I will also sometimes see GI tract reactions. However, the theory is that it shouldn't affect your gut, because the process of digestion will change the protein just as cooking does, but I think it really depends on someone's sensitivity as to whether they react or not.

    That said, if you're reacting in the gut without the oral reaction, then maybe it's not OAS?

    Michelle

  16. My 8 year old daughter needs English Muffins for a class recipe for the end of school party.They are making English Muffin Pizzas in school. I have found 2 that fall part when they are defrosted. Can any one help with a suggestion. Thanks. We live in Brooklyn New York

    I like the Kinnikinnick ones, which are easily available here...not sure about New York. BTW, how will they be handling the baking? Will her food be cooked separately? Or will everyone be using gluten free english muffins?

    Michelle

  17. Interesting. I have actually had a latex test last year, and I was negative, and don't seem to react to the gloves or band-aids. However, the last couple of times I have had bananas I have had a stomach ache within an hour...coincidence? This really bums me out, since it is something I always eat in the morning, and I always have plenty on hand.

    The strawberries were cooked into a cake both times I was itchy, however the cake was made with almond flour...I wonder if it could be from the almonds. Can you the OAS with almonds?

    I still have tons of strawberries in the fridge and kind of want to test it, but am scared. Though it just seems weird that when I was baking the cake, I ate tons of strawberries fresh, and had no problems..maybe it was the almonds?

    I know when I did allergy testing last year, I tested low for both strawberries and almonds, but my dr said I should continue to eat them..hmm.....

    I think allergy testing is really hit and miss. I test negative for peanut now, but I still have reactions from time to time. I eat them on a regular basis to ensure that the allergy does not return. My daughter had her first food reaction (a quite strong reaction) to pecan on New Year's Day. Testing showed no allergy at all. I suspect the serum used in the prick test was the wrong form of the allergen. Pecan is different from other nuts in that it becomes allergenic ones the proteins have been heated and/or aged. BTW, her food allergies are due to OAS as well. :-/

    Almonds are definitely on the OAS list. I react to them raw, but not cooked. If you are reacting to foods in both raw and cooked form, it is possible you have a "true" allergy to them or maybe it's just a more severe form or OAS...or the cooked foods have been contaminated with raw proteins.

    BTW, do be mindful of latex allergy down the road if you are reacting to avocado & banana. I tested for latex allergy with patch testing myself. I am not allergic to latex, but to a few other things...including components of adhesives...which is why I react to band-aids and medical tape. :)

    Michelle

  18. So after going gluten-free, I have obviously become very aware of what goes into my mouth. I react to soy and lactose too, so I try to avoid foods with those things as well. A few months ago, I used to eat a lot of Larabars without problem. Then all of a sudden, I began noticing that the bars were causing me lots of gas and stomach distress. So, I found a new gluten-free bar (Bora Bora) that was not mostly made of dates (which is what the type of larabar I was eating was made of). Just the other day, I decided to try a Think Fruit bar (which is gluten-free, dairy free, soy free). It's made mostly of dates, though. I decided to try it; I haven't eaten a larabar in awhile. Well, definite GI reactions!! Major gas, stomach pain, bloat. It's almost like I ate gluten or soy. Could it really just be the dates that I react to? Is this common? I know some foods occur in groups that people are intolerant to, are dates a part of any group like that? I know raisins usually cause gas for me but not as bad....I can drink wine. Any ideas or can anyone relate? I think I need to start keeping a food journal....

    Could very well be the dates, or another ingredient. Because Larabars are made of raw ingredients, I can only eat two of the flavours (cashew cookie and pistachio)...I am allergic to raw tree fruit and raw almonds due to OAS.

    Michelle

  19. I know both strawberries and avocados are related to birch pollen, I just hope i don't develop more allergies to fruit, like mango and bananas, which I eat everyday, and I also know are related to birth pollen.

    Anyone else have a reaction while picking strawberries?

    I'd question whether strawberry and avocado allergy are actually related to birch pollen allergy. I've seen various lists of OAS foods for birch, and most have not included those two foods. I, myself, am severely allergic to birch pollen, and have OAS to all tree fruit, potato, sometimes carrot, some tree nuts (almond and hazelnut) as well as peanut (which is likely an allergy to some legumes rather that OAS with birch.) But I have never had a reaction to berries or avocado...I hope I don't, because I'd really like to continue to eat berries!

    That said, all the foods I am allergic to raw I can tolerate cooked. So maybe that would be the same for strawberries for you?

    BTW, on one OAS list I have, avocado and strawberry allergies can be associated with latex allergy, so that might be worth keeping in mind. (Banana is on the latex list too.)

    Michelle

×
×
  • Create New...