RockChalkChic

Is the reception plated or buffet? I had to attend a reception for my graduate program and my friends I sat with knew why I ate a huge plate of salad w/ no dressing and fresh cut fruit for dessert. It was buffet style, and even though they had baked salmon and some kind of green beans, I didn't take a chance. Discretion is certainly the key when bringing your own food, so as not to be "smelly" or a distraction or the topic of conversation.

I understand your stance Songbirdy, not wanting to call this time around. I think you did the right thing by considering all the factors (cost, out-shining, etc.) I have had pretty good luck calling ahead to places/caterers and it's just as helpful to know if they are NOT gluten-free so I KNOW I have to bring my own stuff. Of course, I always have a little something with me or I bring my "cake" (Udi's chocolate muffin). I have also started asking close family friends to just hang on to the label when they prepare things for gatherings, that way I get a chance to look at the ingredients, they feel "helpful" but they are not worried about preparing gluten-free food for me. It takes a little while b/f your family/friends/coworkers really understand that you really are not going to eat something unless you can confirm it is gluten-free, but soon enough they forget or don't notice you never drink beer or eat the crackers or bring your own (Hormel) roast beef!

On a side note, I also had good luck staying at a Residence Inn (I'm being serious, no Holiday Inn jokes here) where they have breakfast buffets and evening munchies. The staff was so helpful b/c I would just poke my head in the kitchen or catch them replenishing food and ask if I could peak at the food label. Seems most staff, caterers, chefs and the like are happy to oblige if you're friendly enough!

Running or swimming help me. My daily probiotic (Culturelle) and my daily red wine intake seems to help most of the time. I used to get that "full up to my chin" feeling before going gluten-free and it was miserable. It was like I just wanted to let out one huge burp! gross! Sometimes eating a cup of brown rice seems to help me, too, or eating dried prunes. Good luck!

Oh, and watch the Altoid minis, they contain wheat!

I can't seem to take Target's Up & Up brand vitamins without getting ill. Any other milder multis out there?

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! RockChalkChic you are so right with the awareness of ingredients. Our pantries have never been more full of organic and fresh foods. I'm also really frustrated with the labeling. If it says modified food starch I cringe (if it's labeled gluten free I accept it as gluten-free). I actually just wrote to Congressman Richard Hanna about the Gluten in Medicine Identification Act. Gluten is hidden everywhere and we have the right to know about it!

In general I think we need to remind ourselves that we're not an inconvenience. We deserve to eat as safely as possible and if that takes a little extra effort at times, then it's worth it.

More specifically, I would recommend keeping a detailed food log. I set up an excel file with the date, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and if/when I had a reaction. I discovered A LOT by keeping a log for a few months, such as stay away from Puffins rice cereal, apples, peppers. It also helps show the balance of protein/veggies/fruit/carbs. I noticed I've been eating way too many rice-based foods. The rice bread/pasta/crackers are high in carbs and don't keep me feeling full. Going to try to replace that with more protein!

If there is any specific advice you're looking for, feel free to ask. I also want to make a post at some point about how to cope with a gluten-free diet at college. It was hard to get things started because there wasn't much info online about what other college students are doing. But it really improved at my school after I dug my heels in. I've become so passionate about the topic!!

Good for you advocating at your college! I can't imagine being a college student and trying to be gluten-free. Although, it would have saved me many long, miserable hangovers had I known I was celiac in college. I do so miss my wheat beer! haha! The food log is a great idea and I've tried to track my eating using MyFitnessPal. It is a great app/online tool, but even as convenient as that is, it is still so time consuming! The food labeling is my biggest issue. My husband is very supportive but he still doesn't quite put together that I have to watch out for "natural flavors" and such. I am in school now too, but when I finish, I want to try to get a campaign going in my city to educate restaurants. I feel like those of us who are gluten-free can accept that we can't eat whatever we want, but we can be happy knowing that we can eat what is safe, even if there are only a few choices. I called a restaurant one time thinking they would surely have a gluten-free menu, and the sweet but obviously young hostess told me that the chef would be happy to take the gluten out of whatever I order. Sigh...

Do you have any apps or online tools you use for shopping or gluten-free info other than this site? Seems kind of hit and miss ...

Great topic! I totally need ideas for traveling! Here's a few things I've been jotting down on my pack list, not all would be good for air travel though:

Zucchinni (I use slices to dip in hummus, salsa, etc.)

Apples

Bananas

Oranges

Strawberries

Spinach salad

baby carrots

lemons/limes for seasoning

avocado

Hormel (or other) Lunch meat

sliced cheese

hard cheese (Dubliner at Costco, mmmm)

Sabra Roasted Garlic Hummus

Chex Cereals

Lays Potato Chips or Frito Lay Scoops

HyVee Spicy Bean Dip

HyVee Organic Blue Corn Chips

Salsa

Blue Diamond Nut Crackers

Skippy Natural Peanut Butter

Chicken

Shrimp Cocktail

Salmon

Bigelow tea

Republic of tea

Almond, Rice, or Cocunut Milk

Udi's bread, muffins

Snyder's gluten-free pretzels

Blue Diamon Nut Thins

Crunchmaster gluten-free crackers

Quinoa pasta (if stove available)

GR mac and cheese powder

Welch's gummy fruit snacks

"Kind" bars and/or granola

dark chocolate amonds

Kind bars

Coconut water

Wine

Captain Morgan

San Pelligrino Arianciata or Limonata

Culturelle probiotics

So is Starbucks instant coffee safe?

Congratulations Pianoland! It's great you are feeling healthy and have made the one-year mark. I am at 6+ months gluten-free and am looking forward to my first gluten-free anniversary! While there are still some times I think, "really? I can never have crescent rolls again, ever??" I have no doubt that being gluten-free has helped me in so many ways. Aside from the obvious digestive improvements, I have less joint/arthritic pain and less anxiety. As a result of becoming hyper aware of ingredients, I have come to appreciate the organic and local food movements. Where as at one time it was a luxury to buy organic or local, now it seems gross and not edible if I come across something with a string of ingredients that I can't pronounce. I think my biggest frustration, along with most other celiacs/gluten-free people, is the ever-changing ingredient lists and sources. Why can't the FDA just regulate the language and call it a day??? Sure it is helpful if the label says "contains wheat" but it does no good to list natural flavors or modified food starch, etc., if we have no idea what is in there.

Now that you're a bonafide gluten-free pro, what would you say are your best pieces of advice for those of us still adapting and learning?

I had a biopsy that was "compatible with celiac" and normal blood panel. I have had a pretty good dietary response 1-month gluten-free. I've limited dairy also and that seems to help some. My father didn't do any tests and went gluten-free after my diagnosis - great dietary response. Seems to add up to me.

This is the second time I've had a huge wave of nausea after taking Target brand multi-vitamins. I checked the bottle and it says gluten free, but there is no doubt that within 10-15 minutes of taking these I have felt horrible. I am taking them with food, but that doesn't seem to make any difference. Oddly enough, (TMI), I also get the urge to go to the bathroom at about the same time. So frustrating ... I am going to contact Target to ask again about their labeling.

domesticactivist - do you do the carrot juice yourself or purchase? The Culturelle seems to be helping. Thanks for the info!

Thanks, Ann, that is helpful info. I loce their Dark Chocolate Almonds but am wondering about cross contam.

-jen

Thank you for the feedback - I have two apples with me here at work today! I will try to find that probiotic mentioned.

KotaKate88 and Jen D - I'm right there with you. My biopsy was indicative and I don't have the blood test results back yet. gluten-free for almost 2 weeks and really struggling. I'm exhausted from reading labels and websites and not coming up with definitive answers. I AM feeling better, but fatigued and frustrated. Thanks to all the encouragement from the others who've posted.

My question - TMI - does anyone have issues with constipation and how do you deal with it? Meats and veggie/fruit and nuts are fine, but I need some advice to get things moving. THANK YOU!