Lisa

I was going to add my input, but ravenwoodglass said it all. There are many wonderful options available and I have enjoyed every bit of it.

Hello,

I am VERY new to all this. After struggling with some health issues, I have decided along with my doc to cut Gluten from my diet and see if I have an intolerence. So I have been educating myself like crazy, and started my gluten free way of life yesterday. But I do have a few questions I can't seem to find specific answers for.

1. Is Balsamic Vinegar gluten free?

2. I see a lot of recipes for Mayo, but from reading the labels on Mayo jars, it seems they must contain gluten. Do I need to buy a special gluten free mayo, or is all mayo gluten free?

3. What drinks are gluten free? For example, I bought some sparkling water, but one of the ingredients is "natural flavoring" . On my list, it says to avoid the word flavoring. Are there any sugar free drinks that are gluten free?

Thank you so much, I am sure I will be using the board lots! So glad I found it!

Hillary

Welcome Hillary:

Balsamic Vinegar is gluten free, most are except for Malt Vinegar.

Hellman's and Duke's are gluten free. I use no other, but I think generally most mayos are gluten free.

Pepsi, Coke, 7-up are gluten free to include diets. Juices that are listed as 100% and all Gatorade products are gluten free. All of the v-8 line to include Splash are gluten free.

There is wealth of information on this site. Take some time and drive around here.

Hope this helps.

Well, I got my tests back, both blood tests and the endoscopy biopsy and it was determined that

I definitely do not have Celiac's disease. I want to thank those that responded to my

post, and want to wish you all the best of luck living gluten free. After living for around a

month gluten free, I have a deep respect for all of you that have to deal with it

perhaps for the rest of your lives. I truly hope they will someday find a cure,

or at least a drug that will allow you to be able to eat without having to worry

about what is in the ingredients of everything you eat.

All my best,

Randy

Randy, you know that this a place for support, where ever life finds you. Whether Celiac or not, it's always a good place to come.

I'd like to change from 'Dianne (a mom on TED diet)' to 'Dianne (Andrew's mom)'. How can I do this?

You need to make a direct request to Scott Adams. Go to his personal profile and send him a message with your request. "Dianne", simply Dianne is a good user name.

It sounds to me like trying the gluten free diet showed Sam that she did have gluten intolerance. Look at how her symptoms are disapearing and how much better she feels. Welcome and please ask lots of questions.[/uoto

She or he, welcome Sam.

Hi; I'm new here. Found the website through the May1st edition of Women's World magazine (its' my new bible lol). I read some of the symptoms and I have most of them but I don't have weight loss, more like weight gain and bloating. I have eliminated most corn from my diet, nitrates from my diet (causes my migrains), avoid most foods that make me feel icky but I don't know what to do with the puffiness I have in my face and around my joints. I have an appointment with my doctor for a full physical and lab work to be done because of my family history. I just would like to know what else I can do short of taking water pills to bring the bloating down. I had my gall bladder and 3 inches of my intestines removed due to impacted gall stones (ouch!) And I am starting to get mouth sores after eating certain foods now and I am beginning to wonder if eliminating meat all together will help. I would appreciate any advice.

"I am the mole, therefore I dig"

Hey mole and glad that you have found this site.

There is an introduction page here on the home site that describes what Celiac Disease is all about, "dig" around with that information and see if it fits your symptoms. And many more articles with with lots of information. Check them out. It will help you arm yourself with information for your doctors appointment.

I think that you are wise to get a full physical and lab work done.

You can create a post..."Is anyone from (state)," and inquire if there is a support group in your general area.

You can also contact the Celiac Sprue Associate and they can find your nearest local support group. You can find them on the web.

Hope that's helpful.

Gail:

I am so glad for you that things have turned around for you. Every day is see 100 - 175 people lurking, reading and learning. There are so many educated, informed and giving people here, from all walks of life and varied experiences. I've been hanging around for almost two years and I am still impressed with the folks here. Glad that you have "de-lurked".

When I was diagnosed, I had never heard the word Celiac. I went into the panic mode, then the information mode and I found myself here. I think there are still some people here who watched me fumble around trying to figure all of this out. They know who they are and they have become very good friends.

Your experience can be helpful to those that come behind you. You sound willing to share and that's a good thing. Welcome to the Club.

Another "de-lurker"....yeah!

Welcome

If you have been reading here, you may have learned the the most conclusive diagnosis is positive dietary results. A blood test can rule Celiac in, but it cannot rule it out. As well with an endoscopy, as it can be patch and may miss some indications of Celiac. An endoscopy can also determine the level of damage done to your intestines.

I can't help you with your number because I am not familiar with it. My blood test was negative after being gluten free for two months.

I would read here as much as possible and then come to a conclusion as to how you want to proceed.

I am certain that other will respond. I am sure that you are a little over whelmed at the moment.

I think it important to be inviting to anyone who inquires here. No mater what the reason , if a gluten free diet can make anyone feel better, I'm all for it.

Hmmm...Great Minds!

Welcome to the Forum:

Some of the symptoms that you listed are among the over 200 for Celiac. I think that you are correct to pursue this avenue. Don't let your doctor discourage you because I don't think that he is very well informed.

The blood tests are not always accurate and you have been gluten free for a period of two week before your testing. Blood test can rule Celiac in, but it cannot rule Celiac out (make sense?). It is the same with and endoscopy and biopsy.

The most reliable test is a positive dietary response and that seems to be a clear indicator to you.

The gluten free diet is a little overwhelming in the beginning and it get much easier as time goes by. You don't have to miss your favorite foods. With some variations you can eat just as well, if not better as you did before.

This place is the best source of information available. Glad you have joined us.

Has anyone had any problems with these?? It does list modified food starch on the label but I am assuming that is OK because it is a Kraft product?

Thanks.

Janet

Kraft will always list, enjoy. As stated on another thread modified food starch in the US is gernerally derived from corn, unless it is listed "Modified Food Starch (wheat)"

I was under the impression that "modified food starch" as long as made in USA was from corn.

Correct unless stated as other, as in "Modified Food Starch (wheat)."

The 8 major food allergens must be listed. Wheat is one of those 8, but not barley, rye or oats. So, no, if wheat is not listed it doesn't mean that it is necessarily gluten free.

However, I am confused as to the brand of ketchup you are talking about. Is it Huntz or Hunt's?

If it's Hunt's, then here is the most up-to-date info on gluten free products from their website (Open Original Shared Link)

Q: Which Hunt's tomato products contain gluten? Do you have a list of products that contain gluten?

A: Most Hunt's tomato products are gluten-free. The exceptions include Hunt's Ketchup and Barbecue Sauce, which contain distilled vinegar made from wheat or corn and may contain trace amounts of these grains. Therefore, they are not gluten-free. Among the 11 varieties of Hunt's Spaghetti Sauces, the following three varieties include an indirect source of gluten (wheat, oats, barley, or rye):

Original Meat

Four Cheese

Italian Sausage

It is always best to read the ingredient statement printed on the label because reformulation occurs from time to time.

Michelle

The key word here is "distilled" and I still consider this Hunt's CYA statement.

CAN WE ALL PUT DOWN THE BRANDS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT? AND IF THERE IS A SAFE BRAND ie. paper towels/toilet paper...

I never thought about stickers or fingerpaints and am now totally stressed out b/c my 6 1/2 y/o has celiac disease and of course she uses all that in school and home. I feel like such an idiot!!!

So anyway if we could get a list of our own and share, of things that are foresaken or are safe for us. I have a 10+ page word doc of info that I have shared with new celiacs and have added some of the stuff I read today on this post...BUT not to beat a dead beat but lets so naming brands if that is possible.

Thank you and take care,

Jacqui and family

TOILET PAPER AND PAPER TOWELS ARE OF NO GLUTEN CONCERN. This has been discussed at great length in the past.

Hey gang,

Tiffany and I are attending a wedding in Seattle/Tacoma this weekend. We arrive early on Saturday.

I know we are going to Da Vinci's Bakery around 10-10:30 a.m. for breakfast gluten free panini sandwiches (which I love).

After that, we are hiking snoqualmmie falls area. Any recommended hikes/trails? We do easy and moderate.

We are also having dinner at the Lobster Shop at Dash Point - anyone eaten there yet? Any recommendations?

Sunday we will be in Tacoma area as many of her friends live there. Any places to eat down there?

Thanks,

BB

Chris:

Only thing in my book is Outback and Chevy's Fresh Mex, with gluten free menus. Let me know surrounding cities and I will look them up....for Tacoma.

Hi everyone.

I'll be making my first trip to Alaska in mid-May. I'll be flying in to Anchorage, and staying there in a hotel for about a week. I'd really appreciate any tips on where to shop for food, or even where to eat out.

Thanks so much!

Debbie

Just a few:

Marx Bros. Cafe - gluten friendly

Outback Steakhouse - gluten free menu

Simon and Seafort's - gluten friendly

Sullivan's - gluten free menu

...wish I could crawl in your suitcase. Enjoy your trip.

SarahE:

Celiac comes with over 200 symptoms and many that you have listed could be attributed to Celiac Disease or the least, a gluten intolerance.

Since your have seen a failure to thrive in one of your children and one with bowl issue, for the sake of you children I would pursue testing for yourself. This could impact your children's medical future. Your symptoms sound very classic.

I would suggest that you stay on a gluten diet and request that you doctor do a full panel Celiac Blood work. Others can recommend the exact test that you should have.

It is nothing to be fearful about. Finding a medical solution and a follow through with result without drugs is a very good thing. Being diagnosed with Celiac Disease sounds a little lofty in the beginning, but to cure your ills just by a diet change should be a welcome avenue. If this is your case, we have many, many people who can walk you though it to ease your transition.

You have to think about your children also. This is a genetic tendency.

You have found yourself a wonderful site. I have never known more informative and sharing people. Please feel that you can ask away.

This is getting a little bit off topic as it is about "Communion Wafers".

A new thread would be appropriate on the "Gab/Chat Forum", with no offense to anyone or any discussion, but it is veering away from the originality of the thread.

From an email response reguarding whether or not Huntz was gluten-free:

"We cannot state that this product is gluten free. It contains <20 ppm WBRO gluten. (10/25/05 email)"

If this e-mail response was l0/25/05 it is very dated. The new labeling law would require Hunt's to list wheat if it is an ingredient. It does not currently to my knowledge. This most likely was a 2005 CYA statement.

Congradulations - try googleing "Gluten Free Travel".

I know that Omeprizole is gluten free - generic Prilosec. I don't think that you will have any problem with Prilosec, but I reserve on the side of caution to give you a confirmation. I have never had a problem.

Pepcid - the primary source of starch is corn derived, secondary starches may be rice or potatoe.

Pepsid R - Tablets

Pepsid R - Complete Tablets.

Gas X - all forms

Pepto - all forms

I just came back from the store and read that Pam contains grain alcohol, it does not list wheat as required by law, so my assumption would be that it is corn derived. But, with that being said, I bought Crisco l00% extra virgin Olive Oil spray.

Some dried fruit are dusted to reduce sticking together. I buy dried dates all the time when my sweet tooth kicks in and it is listed as only Dried Dates.

Some people here do react to canola oil at times, but I do not think that it is gluten related.

It does get confusing at times.

I just called ConAgra 1 (800) 726-4968, regarding the grain alcohol source in Pan's ingredient listing. They will also list the top 8 allergens in the ingredient list as well as below, list whatever common allergens would be present. Wheat is not listed.

I just came back from the store and read that Pam contains grain alcohol, it does not list wheat as required by law, so my assumption would be that it is corn derived. But, with that being said, I bought Crisco l00% extra virgin Olive Oil spray.

Some dried fruit are dusted to reduce sticking together. I buy dried dates all the time when my sweet tooth kicks in and it is listed as only Dried Dates.

Some people here do react to canola oil at times, but I do not think that it is gluten related.

It does get confusing at times.