Dare to Start a gluten free diet
215 members Daring to Start a gluten free diet have tracked a total of 419 times
Create a Gluten free diet to eliminate food allergies and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods. A wheat-free, gluten free diet may include food supplements and natural, organic foods.
Member Comments
Lacey,
What an amazing turn around. I have been reading so much lately on gluten and its effects on the body, and even the possible correlation between gluten and autism. That's still in early studies, but interesting none-the-less.
I'm glad you found the dr. you did.
Welcome to the group and we look forward to getting to know you.
I was told i have Celiac about 2 weeks ago. I am finding it fairly easy to find food at the local nartural food stores, although some of the foods aren't that great. Does anyone know of a good cook book for gluten free meals?
I recently bought Gluten Free for Dummies. It has alot of interesting things to say about the various types of flours that can be used.
Barnes and Noble had a TON of recipe books that looked really good.
The "dummies" book is awesome! But any bookstore will have GF cookbooks.
Hi Mshay,
Welcome! I like to experiment with different recipes using the GF flours. Sometimes, however, I find I just can't get over the taste of "bean" flour, but the experimenting is fun. Let us know if you come up with a favorite recipe.
Look forward to it.. dee.
Hey there everyone! Have you tried the Food For Life Sprouted Corn Tortillas? I use them for breakfast & regular tacos, tostadas, and to make tortilla chips. They are yummy, very filling and only 120 calories for two tortillas.
I'll have to try those Dee. I've tried other GF tortillas, and while they are ok, I could live without them. I do like corn products however (love the pasta) and will definitely look for these and give them a try. Thanks for the heads up.
Traci
Yea, I have not been too impressed with gf tortillas. Oh, but there are the food for life brown rice tortillas. They have to be warmed (or they will break apart) but they go pretty darn well with eggs, or pb & apple slices.
Hello All!
I was diagnosed with Celiac about 3.5 years ago. Within two weeks of being gf I experienced marked reduction of my symptoms. It was amazing to me that all I had to do was change my diet. And then ... it was amazing to me how hard it was to go gf. Gluten is in everything!
Thank heaven it gets easier! I have discovered that my greatest success comes from focusing on foods that are naturally gluten free. But it took me some time (about 1.5 years) for me to figure that out.
Although I am not new to being gf, it is my hope that being part of this group will allow me to help others through the learning curve of going gluten free, and provide a very supportive environment for my own gf life. Cuz those who aren't gf just don't get it. No matter how much they love us. : ) Know what I mean?
Dee,
I know EXACTLY what you mean! I used to have a tough time with my family, BUT, as far as my siblings go once I was tested positive for Celiac, a couple of them were tested a couple years later and found positive also. Now, it helps to have their support. I still have 2 sisters in denial, lol. Doesn't it get you mad sometimes that gluten is in everything? and everyone walks around without a clue? Maybe I'm just jealous.
You are right, way too many people walk around without a clue.
Case in point: I was asked by a "friend" (who was offended because I wouldn't try something she made) why I wouldn't just taste the food and spit it out! LOL! Ah, I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.
Just wanted to check in and say I hope everyone is doing and feeling well! I went to a health food store this weekend and was in gluten free heaven. I love the GF pizza crusts. Anyone have something else they find helps them get by?
I was diagnosed with Celiac a couple months ago and a friend just sent a link to the site. I look forward to being a part of the gluten free world and not one that encompassing just me and my own kitchen!
Welcome.
It is definitely a challenging world sometimes... and it DOES seem like we spend a lot of time in the kitchen... experimenting.
If you have any tips or recipes... share if you like. I've been with celiac for 2 years now. Makes life interesting.
Well... we are now into February, which means one month closer to spring! I just wanted to mention I have been having good luck using rice flour in place of regular flour. Even made a pie crust with it the other night. And if you have recipes that need a thickening agent, arrowroot works wonderfully. For sandwiches I have been using whole corn tortillas... they take some getting used to but they work! Or you can make your own flat bread with rice flour and water.
Hope everyone is doing well...
Traci
Neww to this dare, have Celiac and have been bad about cheating. I am hoping this keeps me more accountable!
Chris,
I find the tracking every day definitely helps with the accountability factor. How long have you known you have celiac?
Hello everyone... How is everyone doing? I've been doing a lot of research for some good gf substitutes lately, and I have to say my favorite so far is "spaghetti"... made from corn flour. It has a nice flavor to it... I'm thinking I like it better than regular pasta even. Anyone else have some favorite substitutes?
Quinoa pasts is food for mac and cheese, and I like asian rice noodles to substitute for long nooldes (angel hair, etc.)
I love the rice noodles... been doing a lot lately with rice flour as well. I REALLY wanted to try some gluten free choc chip cookie mix I saw but I can't have sugar... and it was the first thing listed! I'm always on the lookout for something new.
OH... so I had chocolate again today... and of course it's dark! I love dark chocolate!! But I keep craving it... looking at the date of the month and I NOW understand why. I am expecting a visitor... :)
Traci. on the lable how whould I be able to tell if it is GF?
Hi Leanna,
The only way to really know is to read the label... and learn to decode some of the ingredients. If you are unsure of what an ingredient is, google it. I hope all is well...
Traci
Just checking in to see how everyone is! Can I ask what the story is with "oats" for everyone? Can you have them? Not have them? I know many people on GF can't tolerate oats either. Just wondering where others stand on this.
I eat certifed gf oats all the time but wouldn't touch oats otherwise. Way too much crosscontamination for my body.
Lol... you're still doing fine! Do you like dark chocolate? It is a much better choice if you do. I personally like milk chocolate smothered in caramel... so at this point I still can't have any. I'm curious to know how the extra sugar made you feel physically? I know that eating it can make us feel yucky mentally... but did you find yourself noticing anything different in your body? Did it trigger cravings for more? Also, not all chocolate necessarily has gluten in it... you'll have to check the label.
Started my GF diet today. Went to the store to shop and realized that Wal Mart is not my friend when it comes to finding GF options. I came home and make a simpple dinner. Lets see how I feel tomorrow
Hi Leanna,
I have found a few GF products in walmart, such as corn pasta. BUT... don't know if you have a wegmans or a hannaford near you but they have a large selection of GF items. I'm a fan of rice noodles... so I can still enjoy "spaghetti" and meatballs. (No breadcrumbs in the meatballs of course!)
Best of luck to you... We should start a recipe swap on here somewhere. Can you eat oats? Some can and some can't... but you can do a lot with oats. Bob's Red Mill also puts out lines of GF flours and brownie mixes, etc.
Thanks Tracijoy!
Great idea on the recipe swap, I am very new to this. My dietician has me on a very strick plan to pinpoint the reason for my BM absense and abdominal pain. Getting my thyroid checked tomorrow... wish me luck
Here's some luck, Leanna. My journey to a diagnosis took two years... Finally got the endoscopy and biopsies. You'll do well GF, once you realize how much better you feel without it.
I've had a lot of digestive issues the past year that I haven't been able to resolve through taking special supplements or cutting out "junk food". Within a few days of replacing my regular wheat bread with Ezekiel bread, my stomach issues felt significantly better, but when I ate some home-made whole-wheat crust pizza... whoa, I felt very bad later that night and into the next day... horrible cramps and headache. In the last few days, I've been paying attention to how I feel after I eat certain foods that I more or less crave... corn, wheat, and peanut butter. I never feel good after eating these foods, physically or emotionally. As of today I'm cutting them out and replacing them with alternatives. I hope this helps. Wish me luck!
Hi Mandy,
Isn't it amazing how quickly you notice the difference in your body when you cut out the gluten? My sister had unresolved headaches for 30 years. When I found out I had celiac and they said it was genetic, she cut out the gluten and now she is a different person. Keep up the great work!
Traci
Alhough I "started" eating gluten free some time ago, I got away from being religious with it, despite the pain it caused me. But due to inflammation I have readopted the GF way of eating. Amazing how much better I feel. I forgot how it felt to feel this good. I don't think this is a dare that is ever "complete"... as it is a lifelong process.
I'm not sure why this dare is called 'CREATE a Gluten Free Diet', why not just follow a GF diet? I've already been on a GF diet since I discovered my intolerance back in May. It's been pretty easy to stick to considering the alternative (spending much of my days in the John). I ate some Doritos a few weeks ago which contain both of my enemies: wheat and lactose, and I was devastated for a few days PLUS it seems like I'm more sensitive to anything with milk in it now. What really gets me is the GF snack foods, I need to commit to eating a healthier GF diet, including more fresh fruits, veggies, and wholesome foods instead of Pamela's dark chocolate chocolate chunk cookies, and salty kettle chips.
This is something that at Dr. Gourmet I have been working on for well over a year now. In the next few weeks all of my recipes will be tagged as to whether they are gluten free or not. I am creating special sections on gluten sensitivity.
I am always looking for information, suggestions and feedback on how to help folks who are living with gluten sensitivity. Message me direct if you have any ideas.
Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!
Dr. Gourmet
www.drgourmet.com
I was diagnosed with Celiac disease just a few days ago. I show no outward signs of it. I have a general idea as to what to eat/not eat and I have an appointment with a dietician about a month from now (soonest that I could get). As far as preparing food, it seems all I have to do is keep things simple and read the ingredients. I think I'm heading in the right direction, but if anybody has advice, I am open to everything.
Found out that with hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disease that staying gluten free is an absolute must, and that each cheat takes up to 8 months to clear out of my body!!
Yicks... no more carrot cake, that was my last obvious cheat.
So, today I am going to make some gluten free treats for camping.
there is a brand called namaste that makes a whole line of gluten free products! I have a couple friends that are allergic to gluten and i feel better when i stay away too... they make a spice cake mix that you can add carrots to (i add about 3 times as much as it calls for and it's amazing!) maybe you've heard of their products... whole foods sells it
I, too, have hashimotos. Have many symptoms of celiac, but not an official diagnosis. Have had elevated celiac profile in past. Why do you say that it's an absolute must to be gluten free? Thanks for sharing. Have you lost any weight being gluten free? How long have you had your diagnosis? Thanks
By lacey_harrison on April 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Hi All! For the 22 months of my daughters life she had chronic ear infections and was sick. We asked our doctor over and over if it could be food allergy related and they said no! Well after ear tubes and a lengthy and miserable visit to an ER while we were out of town, I finally broke down and took her to a Naturopath who immediately told us to take her off wheat and dairy.
It has been 9 months now and what a world of difference. She hasn't been sick and her emotions are markedly different, as well as her stomach acid.
We've learned that she can have a limited amount of both dairy and wheat, especially if we eat most things organic. That really helps!
I love to find new recipes to try and have found that aside from baking gluten free is fairly easy.
Right now we have switched all of our bread to sprouted whole wheat/grain as I have read a few articles that alot of people with milder allergies can handle it. So far, so good.
Well, that is our story. It is always nice to find a group of people who are trying to attempt the same diet as you are.