bluejeangirl

Most likely your body is trying to eliminate an excess amount of acids they are using in the digestive enzymes. My husband, a chiropractor uses enzymes and swears by them. He's been to seminars explaining them and he sells them to many of his patients. But right from the beginning I told him they bother me and I'll get a hard blister and they pop up even on my thighs and stomach and itch like mad. So then over the years he finds a small percentage of people who complain of these symptoms along with others.

My theory is the whole leaky gut syndrome. These yems get into our blood stream because they are not contained in the gut like most people. I can only suggest getting the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall and follow that diet for awhile to see if it helps. The foods are easy to digest because its using the right combination of foods. Your also eating alot of yogurt so it helps the intestinal flora. It helps me when I'm on it but I wish I could just stay on it to achieve a better healing. I have to get more disciplined.

Gail

Its crazy isn't it Nini, I so sorry that it takes just that small amt. for such a reaction like that. Does it help to scarch the itch or do you just leave it alone? Make sure your taking your B-vits to get you back in balance. I'll have real light tremors lasting for about 15 seconds in my neck and shoulder area once in awhile and I never know what causes that. I'm sure its a nerve thing though because it happens when I start to fall asleep. Hope you recover fast.

{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}} gail

Its funny how this seems like a reality show/thread to see if there is a reaction to Vincent's gluten challenge.

Just last year I noticed symtoms of bi-polar with me. I wouldn't sleep hardly at all and have a hard time sitting down to watch a movie or relax, and my mind would race. Then I would go into a depression which I never had to that extent. I also started getting stiff joints in my left hand and hips every morning. I knew I could also relate all these symtoms to what I was eating because that has been the story of my life. I went to several doctors in the late 80's with candida and food allergies. It got to be expensive and it seemed I was allergic to everything. I stopped after awhile because I wanted to live my life like a normal person and I felt confined to this diet. But I continued to eat mostly veggies and low fat meats and limited my high starches and no sugar. I gave it to God and stopped fearing and obsessing about it. I got better and better by just working on my attitude. Well this lasted for 12 or so years, then like I said started to go down hill again so it led me to elliminating all gluten. Did this over christmas last year and I feel better again. All the depression is gone most of the sore joints and muscle aches, and little things like gas and bloating and sweats at night. Its crazy isn't it. I'm glad your feeling better. These boards are great for inspiration and when your feeling like your the only person with these problems.

Gail

Hi Moongirl,

I've been gluten free for the same time you have but I haven't been to alot of social events yet. But the invites are starting as summer is approaching. The one thing I hate is I used to compare myself to someone who is on a diet as many are and have to pass up these foods too but the thing is they CAN cheat and we can't. Its having no choice in the matter that makes one feel frustraing. But it can also be our freedom. We just don't think about it,..it no and I won't even dwell on it. Just think of the dieter deliberating over what to have and how they'll have to feel in the morning to jump back on the wagon.

I think what I'll do is take the one thing that will really bug me cuz I can't have it, like maybe that chocolate cheese cake. I'll let it inspire me to make it gluten free the next day. So it will only be a delayed satisfation. Which builds character right? hehe Well thats the best I can come up with.

hugs,

Gail

I always wondered how to use portions of NG flour blends to equal wheat and I found them today on the web. They are:

For 1 T of wheat flour substitute,

1 1/2 t. cornstarch

1 1/2 t. potato starch

1 1/2 t. arrowroot starch

1 1/2 t. rice flour

2 t. quick cooking tapioca

For 1 cup of wheat flour sub.

3/4 c plain cornmeal course

1 c. plain cornmeal, fine

5/8 c. potato flour

3/4 c. rice flour

So as you can see there is quite a difference in flours.

There is a bakery in Tampa Florida that makes gluten free bakery items. Our local health food shop orders from them and I love their Lavash millet and flax or spinach Lavash millet and flax. They are a flat bread that looks like a flour tortilla only you'll notice the whole grain goodness of the flax right away. I love them. They have a web site......Samisbakery.com.

Gail

I've juiced off and on for years. If you're hypoglycemic be careful about drinking a lot of carrot juice. I liked what Tiffany said about the fruit juiced in the blender and getting the fiber to slow down the digestion.. But a juicer is good for spinach/celery/apple or carrot to sweeten it. Those green vegetables can really cleanse you. Cabbage juice has been known to heal stomach ulcers but be careful because it can cause gas. There are many good books about all the healing qualities of vegetables. It would be worth buying one. I remember ginger helps with nausea and cramping. Asparagus helps to neutralize an acid stomach so does green beans. Berries are all high in Vit. C and flavonoids that are so good in so many ways and by juicing them you can get the therapeutic benefits because you can't eat as many as you can drink and the fiber can sometimes cause you to not assimilate the vitamins.

That's about all I remember off hand, its been awhile since I've juiced.

Gail

Gluten is the new PMS. Now leave my gluten excuss alone, its working for me.

Gail

I went to the store thinking there were some Lean Cuisines I could have, after the letter that was posted. Well I bought Honey mustard chicken, chicken a' la orange, and glazed chicken. Before I cooked any of them I called Stouffers at 1-800-387-4636, they informed me that the Glazed Chicken is the only one that is gluten-free and they do not have a gluten-free list because it would become out of date too quickly. They do not have the Portabello Chicken in Canada. They have many varieties of Haagen Das ice cream that are gluten-free. I suggest calling them before you buy anything.

The glazed chicken is my favorite anyway, before I went gluten-free.

I'm really not a bad cook but I'm learning the in's and out's of foods I've never made before so I'm posting my mistakes so others can learn and not have to throw away food since its expensive.

I'm in love with cozy shacks tapioca pudding so I thought I'd make it myself with almond milk. I bought the small pearl. Followed the instructions which included soaking the pearls overnight. Everything looked good until the instuctions said to whip the egg whites and fold them in at the end. It totally made the texture gross. Real foamy and weird. Taste was weird and texture was weird. I think it would of been ok if I skipped the egg white thing and just throw them out. So I'm going to make it again doing that and I think I'm going to use rice milk because I didn't like the nutty flavor either.

I'm learning/

Gail

Thanks Carrie and Lorka, I'm just a beginner so using different types of flour to thicken is new to me. Its best I use recipes in the beginning because I don't know how much will thicken a liquid. I'll say one thing these recipes looks alot healthier then using flour, butter and milk. Thats exciting, healthy scalloped potatoes.

Gail

Lorka and Carrie,

If its not a problem please post the recipes and maybe what I"ll do is try them before I actually have it for Easter. I usually have family over and I know they're expecting my scalloped potatoes becuse its a favorite with ham. Or maybe I can make more then one recipe and have everyone vote on which is better. I'll make a game out of it. If anything that will distract them from being dissappointed. I want family members to know I'm not going to make gluten stuff anymore.

Gail

Thanks again.

Carrie,

Thanks for all the time to type out these recipes. They all look so good. I also like stir fried dishes.

I'm wondering if you ever made scalloped potatoes. I'm thinking about my easter dinner and I usually make those with a ham. I know cornstarch is good for stir fries but does it stand up as a thickner in a baked dish or does it break down and get watery. Thanks again for these wonderful recipes.

GAil

Grass fed free range animals have more omega-3 fatty acids which are anti inflammatory. Just like the cold water fish or salmon which gets alot of attention these days. When farm animals are fed corn and other grains their muscles contain almost no omega-3's and substantial amts of saturated fats...very inflammitory. The cows themselves wouldn't live along life but it doesn't matter because they are usually slaughtered before they're 4. Did you read Fast Food Nation? I thought that book was very informative about the whole beef industry. I know you can pick that book up pretty cheap because its out in paperback.

In that book they talk about how dirty the slaughter houses and the e coli and other bacteria.

It only makes sense that if we eat this meat we're not going to feel well. I'm so grateful for people like yourself who allow the animals to free range and eat wild grasses. I always look for a farmer in my area who can sell me that type.

Gail

Did you have the roast beef and bolongna meat on saturday/sunday? I stay away from processed meats especially bologna. It seemed like the older I got the more I had to eliminate processed foods and stick to foods in their naturally state. So I would have to roast the beef myself cool it and slice it for sandwiches.

There is a sausage I can tolerate. Its made with ground chicken. Its by al fresco and its 75% less fat no artificial ingredients and it comes in different flavors. Its wonderful and quick. You might have that in your store. Alot of times its in the freezer cases.

So consider the little hidden ingredients, the ones they put under flavorings etc and flavor inhancers. MSG will get me so sick its crazy.

Gail

I have always had this problem. Lately, when I eat safe foods my stomach hurts and I get very bloated and gassy. I just went to the health food store and they said I probably have an inflammation of the lining of my stomach (gastritis). They gave me some digestive enzymes and some aloe to drink. Hopefully that will help this new problem. I really didn't notice if the bloating went away after being gluten-free and just started getting bad with this recent situation, or if it never got better at all.

Cassidy, If you go under the subject Related disorders and research and click on leaky gut someone posted an article on what to do to help heal. It does say the Aloe is not good but actually can irritate. I hope you'll check this out because I don't want you to be misled.

Gail

I know for me high sodium levels will cause me to retain water weight. Also about 3 yrs ago I tried the adkins way of eating because it was in the news alot and I remember way back I went on it and feeling really good on it. That should of tipped me off I was gluten intolerent but it didn't. That was the only time my stomach went flat and stayed flat all the time. Its however high in protein and I didn't eat fruit on it and alot of salads,...I would eat a large spinach salad with protein for lunch and a large salad using the baby leaf type lettuce for supper with a protein. Breakfast was scrambled eggs most of the time. My sodium was low because I made my own salad dressing. I swear my belly button was touching my spine lol I had to go off it because I needed the weight gain.

I don't recommend this way of eating but thought I'd share it to consider. It could be starchy veggies and fruit, maybe eat smaller amt.s to see if it helps.

Gail

If you can get Pamela's gluten free baking and pancake mix there is a recipe on the side for muffins. You can add nuts and blueberries, or any fruit even chocolate chips. Make a double batch and freeze some. Or for a quick fix have Lara bars on hand. But I think your going to want to have a milk substitute because you'll need the calcium and its hard to make a change without having something in its place. I Love the Almond breeze by blue diamond like a lot of other people here. The vanilla is kinda sweet, a little like the rice milk is so just try the regular. If you have it in cereal you will less likely notice the change. I think you'll get used to it fairly quickly.

OK, admitting something that's probably too private for a public forum...

Celiac Disease caused me to develop an Eating Disorder. I was not Anorexic, was actually classified as "ED-NOS" (eating disorder not otherwise specified) b/c I didn't WANT to lose weight, but I did restrict my food intake. I dropped to a very scary 78 lbs (on my 5'7" frame) and had to be hospitalized. I can TOTALLY relate to what you're saying - I became afraid to eat, and often feelings of fullness caused me to worry that I had been glutened. Your stomach CAN shrink, meaning you will feel bloated more easily, after restricting for awhile. This is what happened to me.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask me, either here or in a PM. Just wanted to let you know that it's very common for Celiacs to develop forms of disordered eating. It was so hard for me to convince people that I didn't WANT to be that thin- it wasn't about body image, it was about fear of food!

- Lauren

Lauren,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know I can relate to a lot of things you've said. Food has always made me sick by either eating it or not eating it. I got tired of the doctors and the food diaries etc. I always wished I could just eat a food because it tastes good or because its convenient but for me its always been will this make me sick and will I regret it later. I can get real angry that my health requires me to make everything homemade, planning all of my menu for a week, and spend top dollar on food items. But I love these boards because I find people like you who are going thru the very same things and that makes me feel better.

Gail

bloating for me also. I'm the same way in the morning my stomach is flat but depending on what I eat I'll bloat. I'm buying some spring and summer clothes and I'm so thankful this year the tees are longer, tunic tees. My stomach won't show anymore. Oh and do any of you have the no butt problem so your have to pull up on your pants all the time.

I hate the spacey feeling where you can't recall anything. During those times I don't know anything. I feel like avoiding people.

Gail

Did you heat them before rolling? That reduces the cracking problem a lot.

Tiffany, no if fact after I posted it dawned on me I didn't try heating them alittle first. I'll do that today when I make my lunch.

Thanks, Gail

I shop at Woodmans for groceries and I noticed that they were selling gluten free tortillas from the food for life line. But they were in the mark down bins and I thought oh boy I wonder if they're no good because of people returning them. I bought them anyway and although they taste ok they crack when you roll them. I think Woodmans is probably discountinuing them which is alright with me. I did find one made by Sami's bakery that is made with millet and flax. The bakery is in Tampa FL. These are soooo good. I love em. They say however they are made in a non gluten free facility. I never had a reaction from them. Its been nice having wraps again, something I thought was going to be history.

Gail

If you read the article doesn't it make sense that in the diet they recommend Jerusalem artichokes? I spend so much on suppliments I really would like to get better by eating the right foods. Does anybody here take FOS and is it expensive? This is a great article though and an eye opener. They say to avoid rice, vinegar, pepper, and mustard all of which I'm eating in my current diet. Whew there goes salad dressing. Well I'm going to give this a shot, I know I have to heal my gut. Nothing will get better for me if I don't address this. I just keep getting more and more food intolerences.

Thanks for sending this article,

Gail

Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I plan on going there this saturday morning. I checked the ingredient lists for McDonalds because I get pretty sick with MSG too. The sausage patties have them in.

I'm going to see if they'll make me the egg McMuffin without the muffin or get the big breakfast and substitute the canadian bacon for sausage. The hash brown looks good to me. I see in the yogurt parfaits the have konjac flour in it...what is that!!??

Another thing I noticed was the grilled chicken has wheat in it, so not safe for your salads. And yes the bacon has wheat and soy in it.

If the premium coffee is good it beats going to Starbucks so I'm hoping it will be.

Gail