New Celiac ( I Think ) Need Help!

[thecookingnerd607]

Well... Im 23.. 6'7" and 185lbs Ive been a active cyclist & runner for many years, and a Chef for the past 5. I used to eat anything and everything. As a child I was always outside running and riding my bike. Always Tall and slightly underweight but very fit.

I never once thought I couldnt eat whatever I wanted...

flash back to a year ago around st pattys day. I started feeling ran down, always tired, random sorethroats.. I thought I had come down with mono. Which made sense ( I worked with kids alot) I visited my doc, she did an epstein-barr panel and said I had contact with it recently...

So life went on a week later after I rested up, I still felt like crap. Then I had random paranoia of stds and other crazy stuff So I kept going and going.. having weird pains in my chest and abdomen. Then thought I had a kidney infection, that was clean.. Eventually about 9 months into it.. I had been tested for stds, urinary infections, etc etc..

After a change of two more doctors one finally sent me to get a colonoscopy and and biopsy of my small intestine! Thats when I was told I was a

"celiac"... My first thought was "No way you silly doctor its gotta be something else" I kept eating glutens for about 2-3 weeks.. Finally I started to figure out what I had to do... Now for my questions! Is a biopsy 100% positive? Do other celiacs have sore throats? The glands on my neck hurt atleast twice a week. Ive been out of work since Jan 1st. And unemployed for a month now. I usually have enough energy to clean the house, cook for the day, and do the dishes. I feel like something else is going on. I dont have insurance currently, But will be getting it back here soon. I want to know what I should suggest to my doctor. My fiance says Im becoming mean and nasty sometimes. I dont have that pep in my step anymore.. All that fun stuff.

I always have a few more questions.. Generic propecia (finpecia) Safe or not? Whats a good gluten-free multivitamin? I think Im still getting gluten from somewhere. Is a detox diet recommended?

Lastly, I must get bread recipes!!! Ive tried gluten-free pantry, Chebe, and bobs red mill gluten-free mix I want to make hamburger rolls and hoagie rolls. What works best? Are there better mixes for rolls then those?

Thanks so much for reading this! - Drew

[CarlaB]

If you had a positive biopsy you definately have it. A positive biopsy does not lie ... a negative one can't rule it out though.

I do have sore throats and swollen glands, but it's not from celiac, so I'll leave that question for someone else.

I don't eat much bread ... you might check the recipe section, I know there are some serious bakers around here!

I like Wild Oats brand vitamins because they are clearly labeled for gluten. A detox diet could help, just in general though, not specifically for the celiac. Good probiotics will help restore balance to your intestines.

Are you feeling better on the gluten-free diet?

[AndreaB]

I use Freeda vitamins. They are pretty good and free of many things.

Have you got the biopsy results back? If it is positive, then you have celiac.

Have you checked all your personal care products, thrown out scratched nonstick stuff, plastic also is hard to get clean.

If you have checked everything and know that gluten is not getting in anywhere then you need to do further testing/checking.

The epstein-barr virus does raise a small red flag though.

I would highly suggest, after considering the above, that you seek out a LLMD in your area. A good, knowledgable LLMD will test for alot of different things.....not just lyme. They are well versed in chronic diseases. Not saying you have a chronic disease but it would be good to rule them in or out. You'd probably get more bang for your buck with them since they are pretty thorough. A naturopath or holistic doctor would be the next suggestion.

[thecookingnerd607]

Yes, I had the biopsy results about a month ago. I dont use non stick pans. I did replace all my stainless. I cleaned my wok and reseasoned it. Still need to get some new cast iron. But I havent used it. What about me washing her gluten pans? She has two nonstick pans that she cooks in.. I always do the dishes, Do I need to wear gloves? Use diffrent sponges? Just tell her if she eats it, she cleans it? I havent really checked my soap n such... Wow thanks for the quick replys

Its starting to affect my personal life too, I never want to do anything. My other half complains alot thinking I just dont wanna go bowling, etc. I m just too tired and achy.

As for feeling better w/o glutens. I dont have the abdominal and chest pains that feel like Im being impaled on a broomstick

Ill need to follow my diet better. I had some pizza last week, and snagged a bite off some breaded chicken from my fiance. Im thinking I should ask her if she would do it with me. Ive started making ALOT of food at once and keeping some frozen. I have a high metabolism and eat alot, all the time. So I used to eat alot of cold salads, and sandwiches. Which is tough now. I need to find some snack ideas. I usually eat some kind of beans, or fried rice as a snack.

What are your sorethroats and achy glands from?

currently, Its going on 3 weeks gluten-free, with two gluten "accidents"

How can I get her to better understand that I just dont feel good at all?

Lastly, Once I get better - I might look into opening a gluten free bakery and restraunt. Anyone in upstate NY?

[CarlaB]

How long have you been gluten-free?

[AndreaB]

Drew,

Check out the following site.

Open Original Shared Link

Some good info you can click through for more information.

[CarlaB]

You can't eat gluten ... it will keep you ill. A little pizza here and breaded chicken there will not allow you to heal. You have to be VERY strict!

My husband is gluten-free at home, but he eats what he wants when he's away. It makes it easier at home if I don't have to worry about gluten contamination. He also eats gluten-free on date night because even kisses need to be gluten-free!

I know that when someone around here gets "glutened", it takes a week or so to recover, so if you're eating the occasional gluten every week, you won't really ever feel better. Even a little tiny bit sets off the immune reaction.

Don't take chances! Get strict with the diet so you can heal and feel better.

Once you've given the diet a chance, if you are then still not getting better, you may need to look at other things, as Andrea said ... but, yes, celiac CAN make you sick like you are.

[CarlaB]

What are your sorethroats and achy glands from?

Lyme Disease.

[wowzer]

Welcome to the group. I hope that you get feeling better soon. I'm thinking since you are a chef, maybe you will come up with some good bread recipes. I haven't found any really worth eating yet. I know someone posted a flax seed bread recipe on here that looks good and many raved about it. I have a fear of baking with yeast, so I haven't tried it yet. Some one also posted a hamburger bun recipe that you make in the microwave. I can remember having a lot of sore throats as a child.

[AndreaB]

What about me washing her gluten pans? She has two nonstick pans that she cooks in.. I always do the dishes, Do I need to wear gloves? Use diffrent sponges? Just tell her if she eats it, she cleans it?

Ill need to follow my diet better. I had some pizza last week, and snagged a bite off some breaded chicken from my fiance. Im thinking I should ask her if she would do it with me.

I'm not sure about the pans but my whole house is gluten free. My husband was the only one without a problem but he has 2 celiac genes so went gluten free with the rest of us.

It would be a good idea to ask her if she'd be willing to go gluten free at home so you don't have to worry about cross contamination. As Carla said, that can keep you sick.

You need to be diligent to heal and to know whether anything else is going on or not.

[loco-ladi]

One way to explain why you wont feel 100% right away is think of the gluten in your system as a toxic substance, it will take a bit to completely get rid of it, you will however notice one day down the road (different time frame for everyone) that WOW you feel great! This is when you will want to go out bowling again by the way, but don't just sit around feeling sorry for yourself thinking you aren't normal, because around here, gluten free IS the normal and yes we bowl, eat out occationaly, ride motorcycles, work alongside those "non-normal" gluten eaters and generally life life the way we want (as long as its gluten free, lol)

My husband is eating what I cook, all I cook is gluten free now, no more "2 meal cooking" its just to hard not to mention time consuming and the risk of contaminating mine was to large so he either goes out and buys fast food (he cant boil water) or he eats what I cook, he isn't complaining. As for your gluten-free/Wife/sig. other... thats a conversation between you and them and something you BOTH need to clear the air about, I am sure they have lots of questions and some you may not be able to answer right away, talk is the key for this.

I myself am self diagnosed as dr's in this area leave little to be desired and I am done messing around with them, the diet is working for me so I will stick with it.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Drew,

I know how you feel. Like Carla said, you definitely cannot dispute having Celiac if you have a positive biopsy. She also pointed out that negative biopsies do not rule it out. I am proof. I have had typical Celiac symptoms for years. I had digestive issues from birth! I also have had problems with anemia, gallbladder disease, and Thyroid disease. These are all commonly associated with Celiac and tend to be present in us.

I feel you could have Lyme as well. The others commenting here know the misery. I may have it, too. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia many years ago. The pain it sends and the fatigue can make doing the dishes a Herculean task. My glands are always swollen and sore like yours.

I also have a present for you to welcome you to the forum! I have a list that should really help. This is overwhelming. I went through this with myself six months ago. You spend most of your day cooking and cleaning obsessively. The rest you are on the phone with reps from companies trying to find out what is safe. I decided to save you the trouble!

1. There are a number of things in the regular grocery that are safe. Some things are labeled already. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand has numerous things you can eat.

2. For the love of God use Coupons on items you are allowed to eat. People can get them and print them out online even. Call some of the local stores and ask if they accept online coupons.

3. Check the ads online and in the newspaper. You would be surprised how many people do not do this.

4. Some items like rice flour and rice noodles are safe to buy at the Chinese or oriental market. The merchants are more than happy to help you if you cannot read the label.

Now, here is my list of great things to get you started:

Condiments:

Smart Balance Margerine

Crisco Shortening

Crisco Oil

Pompeiian Olive Oil

Great Value soy sauce

Heinz Ketchup

Lea & Perrins Worchestershire Sauce (all Lea & Perrins Products are safe)

Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce

Kraft French Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Kraft Thousand Island Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Pace Picante Sauce

Ortega Salsa

All Classico Red and *White sauces

All Jif Peanut Butters including Smooth Sensations

Welch's Grape Jelly

Cool Whip*

Philadelphia Cream Cheese*

Miracle Whip

Daisy Sour Cream (fat-free, low-fat, regular)*

Snack Foods:

Utz Potato Chips (Found at Sam

[thecookingnerd607]

awesome little list! I started one myself, So far the only thing I really miss is breads, and eating all sorts of diffrent goodies.

Is gluten really in things like fresh meats? Whats a good generic brand of rice cereal? I was getting some stuff from the health food store but its expensive. Most things I make from scratch, salsas, dressings, etc. Rice cakes are those gluten-free? (Ill cry if I cant have them with peanut butter.

Im probabbly in the wrong section to keep asking this stuff, so Ill make another post

what exactly causes celiac? Stress? Heres my two cents, Im irish, I love to drink on stpattys day. I dont drink regularly, Maybe a bottle of wine every other week. I woke up at 7am for eggs and keggs at a local pub in scranton. I drank all day. Stayed hydrated and was eating.... Is was the beginning of busy time at work, So I was very stressed, one of my coworkers was out for a few weeks, more stress. I had just started cycling into work 20 miles in, 20 out. 200 miles a week going to work. stacked onto my weekend rides. (only 50 more than usual) drinking? stress? eating alot of gluten foods? I didnt feel bad until around that time. I would get sick 3-5 times every winter for the past 4 years it seemed.

Do more women have it then men? (the majority of you replying seem to be women)

What about your friends, and what they eat? I have alot of get togethers. Usually somebody orders a pizza. If I just stay away from it? Have them use paper plates? Gah!!! This is more work than yelling at a prep cook!

Lastly, Is it possible for celiacs to work with gluten? Ive got the bad feeling Ill never set foot in a "gluten kitchen in a restraunt" again.

Ok, now im getting hungry!

Im off to eat some gluten free enchiladas I made!

[AndreaB]

Is gluten really in things like fresh meats? Whats a good generic brand of rice cereal? I was getting some stuff from the health food store but its expensive. Most things I make from scratch, salsas, dressings, etc. Rice cakes are those gluten-free? (Ill cry if I cant have them with peanut butter.

Im probabbly in the wrong section to keep asking this stuff, so Ill make another post

Most prepackaged stuff like cereals is quite pricey. There just isn't a lot our there. Arrowhead mills makes some gluten-free stuff, but some of their stuff is just wheat free so you've got to watch for that. Envirokids has a couple gluten-free cereals. Erewhon makes rice cereal (need to read labels, one is gluten-free the other is not). Enjoy life makes cereal that is allergen free (top 8). Nature's Path has some stuff. Then you have what noglugirl listed already for mainline cereals. Rice cakes should be ok but some people do have problems with cross contamination.

what exactly causes celiac? Stress?

Stress is a big factor yes. A lot of times it's a culmination of life events. Your body can only handle so much and something is going to give sometime.

Do more women have it then men? (the majority of you replying seem to be women)

What about your friends, and what they eat? I have alot of get togethers. Usually somebody orders a pizza. If I just stay away from it? Have them use paper plates? Gah!!! This is more work than yelling at a prep cook!

Lastly, Is it possible for celiacs to work with gluten? Ive got the bad feeling Ill never set foot in a "gluten kitchen in a restraunt" again.

I don't know the ratio between men and women.

As far as get togethers you should still be able to do that. You just need to make sure you keep your food separate from the gluten foods.

The dust from flour if you work in a kitchen that makes bread items from scratch would not be good for you. Shouldn't be a problem with things that are already made though.

[miss cookingnerd]

this is the girl friend...

We just realized today that things like our pizza stone and junky silverware need to be replaced as well. We've already marked out tupperware and cooking utensils as gluten-free and non-gluten-free, but there's still so much to do! ><;;

We're going to be moving into a new apartment in a few weeks and I was wondering--what's the best way to detox all our old stuff once we move into the new place? (preferably spending as little $ as possible as we're on a budget)

Also, what can I do to make him feel less like a pink elephant in a corn field? What's the best way to approach our friends/co-workers/etc? When you say "Celiac" to an average person, they look at you funny or say "God bless you." How do you quickly and accurately explain yourselves, like at a party or on the phone, so as to inform people but not make them feel bad or worry about you?

Thanks in advance! You guys have been awesome and really helpful!!!

-miss nerd

[dionnek]

You can probably just run your old plates/silverware and pots, etc. through the dishwasher if they aren't too scratched up. I only replaced my scratched up non-stick pots and bakeware, all wooden spoons and cutting boards (I now have specific gluten-free cutting board/spoons and the old ones are for my husband/daughter to use), collander, and ended up getting a new mixer and waffle maker (I just don't think I can clean those enough). I don't use a toaster, but if you do you will need to get a new one (I use a toaster oven, which I cleaned really well and always put my stuff on foil in it). I also went out and bought those glad tupperware things (the disposable ones) and now use only those for my gluten-free food and use my old tupperware for the gluten foods. You can have gluten in the house, but you have to be REALLY careful about cross contamination if you do. My husband and daughter just have their own bread and cereal and some snacks, which are kept on a separate shelf in the pantry and they have to prepare their sandwhiches in one spot on the counter and clean up afterwards. So far I think it's working. I got rid of all the regular flour in our house though - I refuse to bake/cook gluten anymore! Good luck and just keep reading here - there is so much good info.

[emcolby]

Hi everyone,

I feel kind of guilty since I don't have all of the symptoms everyone else has but I have too been diagnosed via a blood test with Ciliac. I have ( supposedly ) hypothyroidism for the past 3 years and am on a huge amount of medicine. I finally got to an endocrynologist and she tested me for ciliac. Let me just tell you I have 3 kids and haven't been pregnant for 10 years but felt pregnant for the last 2 with a belly so distended I thought I was having #4. I have pretty much been bloated all of my life but in the last 4-5 years really started to not eat trans fats and only whole grains. I am a wheat freak. I love it when other people say it is like eating sawdust I love it. I am also a cook not a trained chef but a gormet cook. Cooking GL FREE is a tremedous challenge for me and I hate it. Everything I try tastes grainy and sandy. I really need to take some time ( working full time doesn't make much time for baking) and cook but my family is convinced that I will be able to do it. I was only diagnosed 2 weeks ago today and I have been GL free for 1 week.

I had no idea that we need to replace cutting boards and tupperware. Are there chemicals out there hidden in food that has gluten in it. I was told that anything with carmel color had gluten in it! That means no Coke, Pepsi etc. That sucks. I am still in the upset stage.

My family is willing to be gluten free, I want to have my3 kids tested does anyone who has had their kids tested out their know if a blood test is good for now?

Any good cookbooks out their for us who LOVE to cooK? I know Eating Well Magazine is an excellent healthy source but they do have a lot of wheat in their recipies which depresses me.

I went to see a GI Dr. today and not to be sexist ( I love men) but he was a jerk. I knew more about ciliac than he did which was very upsetting because I wanted to find out more about the diet I should be on. Sure am glad I found you all. I have my biopsy early next month.

Thanks for letting me vent and if any of you have any answers for me just let me know and to the chef, good luck and we are all there for you. As one cook to another I'll be happy to share with you and vise versa. Take care and be well.

Em

I do feel better on the GLfree diet, the GI guy says that is a good sign. I just need some friends who are familiar with this. I am very psyched to meet youall.

[AndreaB]

I was told that anything with carmel color had gluten in it! That means no Coke, Pepsi etc. That sucks. I am still in the upset stage.

My family is willing to be gluten free, I want to have my3 kids tested does anyone who has had their kids tested out their know if a blood test is good for now?

Caramel color should be ok.

As far as having your children tested, a blood test would be ok. Do you suspect the children of having celiac? If you want you could also get the gene test from Enterolab ($169 I think each) and see if they have a celiac gene (or which one). A blood test would likely be negative but they may be asymptomatic.

I ran enterolab for my family (the whole test) but it's not accepted with most doctors. My whole family is gluten free and the only one who didn't test with a problem was my husband.

[NoGluGirl]

awesome little list! I started one myself, So far the only thing I really miss is breads, and eating all sorts of diffrent goodies.

Is gluten really in things like fresh meats? Whats a good generic brand of rice cereal? I was getting some stuff from the health food store but its expensive. Most things I make from scratch, salsas, dressings, etc. Rice cakes are those gluten-free? (Ill cry if I cant have them with peanut butter.

Im probabbly in the wrong section to keep asking this stuff, so Ill make another post

what exactly causes celiac? Stress? Heres my two cents, Im irish, I love to drink on stpattys day. I dont drink regularly, Maybe a bottle of wine every other week. I woke up at 7am for eggs and keggs at a local pub in scranton. I drank all day. Stayed hydrated and was eating.... Is was the beginning of busy time at work, So I was very stressed, one of my coworkers was out for a few weeks, more stress. I had just started cycling into work 20 miles in, 20 out. 200 miles a week going to work. stacked onto my weekend rides. (only 50 more than usual) drinking? stress? eating alot of gluten foods? I didnt feel bad until around that time. I would get sick 3-5 times every winter for the past 4 years it seemed.

Do more women have it then men? (the majority of you replying seem to be women)

What about your friends, and what they eat? I have alot of get togethers. Usually somebody orders a pizza. If I just stay away from it? Have them use paper plates? Gah!!! This is more work than yelling at a prep cook!

Lastly, Is it possible for celiacs to work with gluten? Ive got the bad feeling Ill never set foot in a "gluten kitchen in a restraunt" again.

Ok, now im getting hungry!

Im off to eat some gluten free enchiladas I made!

Dear thecookingnerd607,

I actually miss pizza, Chinese food, and cookies the most. Those are my lost loves.

Big Macs and Fries from McDonald's are also on my list of food lust items! However, I do have an idea. There is a man who made these books called "Top Secret Recipes". His name is Todd Wilbur. I think I could figure out how to make gluten-free versions of these things!

Fresh meats can have gluten. You have to be careful. Tyson's pork chops are safe, and so is their frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand is very tender! So far, all of the generic rice cereals I have seen contain barley malt. I like Erewhon's Gluten

Free Brown Rice Cereal, but it is expensive. You know how you said a lot of things you make from scratch? There is this groovy kitchen gadget called the magic bullet that is so great! It can help you make these things in seconds! If you could afford it, it is worth the $60. You can purchase them at Kohl's. As far as rice cakes are concerned, some are safe, some are not. Don't get Quaker products, because they have had cross contamination reports.

Celiac is caused by genetics mostly. I too, am Irish. That screwed me in itself! It is not fair we have to be sickly and pasty! It normally is inactive until you catch a cold or some other illness. Stress definitely is a factor, though. I was probably born with it. I used to spit up every formula my parents tried me on! At three weeks old, they finally had to put me on 2 percent milk! I was colicky, too. As I got older, the problems did not improve any. They just intensified.

According to what I have learned, women do have a higher occurance of Celiac. However, I am curious as to if this is true. There is a possibility more men have it, they just have not been diagnosed. Men are not as good about going to the doctor as women. They tend to avoid it at all costs. Believe it or not, when you have gatherings, there are some tasty things you can make that everyone will enjoy, whether or not they are gluten-free. I have a 7-Layer Taco Dip that people will flip over! I know your frustration. Paper plates are great to have around. There are recipes for gluten-free pizza crust that really are great. In fact, my buddy Patti just gave me one! I would be happy to send it to you! I can PM it to you!

You really should not work in a restaurant with a gluten-loaded kitchen. It is bad for you.

You could breathe in the flour floating around in the air. This is how you accidentally ingest it. Your intestines will be damaged. You know, not many people do gluten-free catering. I have thought about doing that myself. I love to cook. Celiacs get married and have parties as well. It would be nice to have someone we can trust with this!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[NoGluGirl]

this is the girl friend...

We just realized today that things like our pizza stone and junky silverware need to be replaced as well. We've already marked out tupperware and cooking utensils as gluten-free and non-gluten-free, but there's still so much to do! ><;;

We're going to be moving into a new apartment in a few weeks and I was wondering--what's the best way to detox all our old stuff once we move into the new place? (preferably spending as little $ as possible as we're on a budget)

Also, what can I do to make him feel less like a pink elephant in a corn field? What's the best way to approach our friends/co-workers/etc? When you say "Celiac" to an average person, they look at you funny or say "God bless you." How do you quickly and accurately explain yourselves, like at a party or on the phone, so as to inform people but not make them feel bad or worry about you?

Thanks in advance! You guys have been awesome and really helpful!!!

-miss nerd

Dear miss_cookingnerd,

I sell a pizza stone! I do not know if it is within your budget, though. I need to put it on my Web site. I was defrauded recently by the company who made the Web site for me, and they were supposed to update, promote it, etc. I am going to have to fix this myself. I also sell cooking utensils.

I can give you a price if you like. As far as Tupperware goes, I would just use the Ziploc or Gladware.

They are really the best ones I have used.

To detox your stuff after moving, washing them thoroughly is important. I would not put your stuff in cardboard boxes when you move for one thing. I would use airtight Rubbermaids. That way, no dust can get in. Then, if you have a dishwasher in your new place, use it to thoroughly clean your cookware and utensils.

Celiac is an unknown illness to most of the world. You have to explain how dangerous this disease is to your boyfriend to others. They do not get it. My parents do not take it seriously. I have to share a kitchen with them. This makes it very difficult for me. People do not care unless they have to deal with something directly.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[NoGluGirl]

Hi everyone,

I feel kind of guilty since I don't have all of the symptoms everyone else has but I have too been diagnosed via a blood test with Ciliac. I have ( supposedly ) hypothyroidism for the past 3 years and am on a huge amount of medicine. I finally got to an endocrynologist and she tested me for ciliac. Let me just tell you I have 3 kids and haven't been pregnant for 10 years but felt pregnant for the last 2 with a belly so distended I thought I was having #4. I have pretty much been bloated all of my life but in the last 4-5 years really started to not eat trans fats and only whole grains. I am a wheat freak. I love it when other people say it is like eating sawdust I love it. I am also a cook not a trained chef but a gormet cook. Cooking GL FREE is a tremedous challenge for me and I hate it. Everything I try tastes grainy and sandy. I really need to take some time ( working full time doesn't make much time for baking) and cook but my family is convinced that I will be able to do it. I was only diagnosed 2 weeks ago today and I have been GL free for 1 week.

I had no idea that we need to replace cutting boards and tupperware. Are there chemicals out there hidden in food that has gluten in it. I was told that anything with carmel color had gluten in it! That means no Coke, Pepsi etc. That sucks. I am still in the upset stage.

My family is willing to be gluten free, I want to have my3 kids tested does anyone who has had their kids tested out their know if a blood test is good for now?

Any good cookbooks out their for us who LOVE to cooK? I know Eating Well Magazine is an excellent healthy source but they do have a lot of wheat in their recipies which depresses me.

I went to see a GI Dr. today and not to be sexist ( I love men) but he was a jerk. I knew more about ciliac than he did which was very upsetting because I wanted to find out more about the diet I should be on. Sure am glad I found you all. I have my biopsy early next month.

Thanks for letting me vent and if any of you have any answers for me just let me know and to the chef, good luck and we are all there for you. As one cook to another I'll be happy to share with you and vise versa. Take care and be well.

Em

I do feel better on the GLfree diet, the GI guy says that is a good sign. I just need some friends who are familiar with this. I am very psyched to meet youall.

Dear Em,

I have some good news for you! Here is some info on safe beverages from Coca-Cola I found on the Gluten Free in SD site:

"We are able to confirm that Coca-Cola classic, caffeine free Coca-Cola classic, Coca-Cola Blak, Coca-Cola C2, Coca-Cola with Lime, Coca-Cola Zero, Barq's root beer, caffeine free Barq's root beer, diet Barq's root beer, diet Barq's Red Creme Soda, Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla, Diet Coke, Diet Coke with Lime, caffeine free Diet Coke, Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda, Sprite, Diet Sprite Zero, vanilla Coke, diet Coke vanilla, cherry Coke, Diet Cherry Coke, Fresca, DASANI Lemon, Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Simply Lemonade, Simply Limeade, POWERade Mountain Blast, and our 100% juice products (without added ingredients) are gluten free.

As you may have noticed POWERade Mountain Blast is the only POWERade flavor that is listed that we can 100% confirm is gluten free.

For all of the other POWERade flavors we cannot 100% confirm that they are gluten free but we can tell you that they do meet Codex's definition of gluten free which is currently less than 200 ppm (parts per million) (0.02%) gluten. Codex is in the process of reviewing this standard and we are monitoring the progress closely. At this time the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have a regulatory definition of gluten-free.

Additionally, you mentioned modified food starch. You may be interested to know that the usual source of the modified food starch we use is corn.

Also, flavor formulations are very valuable proprietary information, therefore we do not discuss the blend of flavoring materials used by The Coca-Cola Company. Consumers can be assured that all flavors used in products of The Coca-Cola Company are recognized as safe and suitable for use by the local regulatory officials in the countries in which they are sold. The FDA regulates when the term "natural flavors" can be used -- and Coca-Cola products comply with all such regulations. Since Coca-Cola brand product flavor profiles are considered important proprietary information, we are not able to provide the source of any of our flavors.

We hope this is helpful. Thank you for your interest in our brands.

Sheree

Industry & Consumer Affairs

The Coca-Cola Company"

I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

P.S. We can also have Snapple, Arizona Teas, and V-8.

[thecookingnerd607]

Ugh, another 11 hour night of sleep. Still tired NoGluGirl, As far as the chinese good goes, if you miss it alot make some! A decent round bottom wok can be had for $20. Get yourself some gluten-free tamari sauce, sesame oil, and your ingredients.. I make huge batchs of diffrent dishes and freeze them for later. So far its working very well. I dont miss fast food. Havent had it in 4 years or so. Speaking of quick meals, Its probabbly time I buy a microwave Yep, Im the one insane american who doesnt own a microwave. Now that I thought of the gluten being in fresh meats. Most bulk boxes of chicken and pork have the meat resting in a water solution. As for beef products that are whole, and not processed I have never seen a water brine. They are usually cryo-vac'd. I used to purchase all my meats from large food vendors in bulk. I think Ill be doing that again.

Heh, I remember a few weeks ago when I started giving stuff away I wouldnt be using. I gave away about 25# of diffrent flours, cookie mixes, bread mixes, etc. etc. My friends were happy My task next week..... gluten free corndogs! Hrm, Im also going to need a new fish breading... I used to use crushed up frosted flakes.. sounds weird.. but it was yummy.

Emcolby: My gi doc, or my general doc. Didnt know much about celiac either.

Do we have any conventions or get togethers? where ideas / recipes are swapped? food is shared? Id love to go to something like this.

[Karen B.]

----snip----I have pretty much been bloated all of my life but in the last 4-5 years really started to not eat trans fats and only whole grains. I am a wheat freak. I love it when other people say it is like eating sawdust I love it. I am also a cook not a trained chef but a gormet cook. Cooking GL FREE is a tremedous challenge for me and I hate it. Everything I try tastes grainy and sandy. I really need to take some time ( working full time doesn't make much time for baking) and cook but my family is convinced that I will be able to do it. I was only diagnosed 2 weeks ago today and I have been GL free for 1 week.

----snip----

For some early success with gluten-free baking, I'd try some of the mixes. Gluten Free Pantry Favorite Sandwich bread looks and tastes like regular white bread, Pamela's Wheat Free Bread has a good dense taste and texture, Gluten Free Pantry French Bread and Pizza Crust mix makes a good crusty loaf of French bread (when baked in a French bread pan).

Bob's Red Mill All Purpose gluten-free Flour makes a good (not-gritty) flour for breading, gravies, etc.

You may want to check out the website Open Original Shared Link for good recipes and tips along with pictures. They have great tips on cooking gluten-free and they have a special for the time being...

"Subscribe to Glutenfreeda.com for 90 days absolutely FREE*

[lcbannon]

I have always been a baker and love to cook good ole comfort food. Needless to say not being able to use wheat thru me into a tizzy. I went straight to local library and some sites on web, (this being the best) and found reciepes. I can honestly say I have found a GREAT cake receipe, decent choc chip cookies (they were first) , made bread and a great french bread. (Tip dip in melted salted butter and top with garlic and broil till golden brown and bubbly-YUM) Made my own egg rolls, meatloaf and lots of other gluten-free items, hubby is eating this way for most part as well and some items he cannot tell diff. Annalise Roberts and Bette Haagmen are two of the best for the cookbooks. I made my own Choc buttermilk brownies and just substituted gluten-free flour and again yumo..

Experiment and have fun..

[mftnchn]

Hi everyone,

I feel kind of guilty since I don't have all of the symptoms everyone else has but I have too been diagnosed via a blood test with Ciliac. I have ( supposedly ) hypothyroidism for the past 3 years and am on a huge amount of medicine. I finally got to an endocrynologist and she tested me for ciliac. Let me just tell you I have 3 kids and haven't been pregnant for 10 years but felt pregnant for the last 2 with a belly so distended I thought I was having #4. I have pretty much been bloated all of my life but in the last 4-5 years really started to not eat trans fats and only whole grains. I am a wheat freak. I love it when other people say it is like eating sawdust I love it. I am also a cook not a trained chef but a gormet cook. Cooking GL FREE is a tremedous challenge for me and I hate it. Everything I try tastes grainy and sandy. I really need to take some time ( working full time doesn't make much time for baking) and cook but my family is convinced that I will be able to do it. I was only diagnosed 2 weeks ago today and I have been GL free for 1 week.

I had no idea that we need to replace cutting boards and tupperware. Are there chemicals out there hidden in food that has gluten in it. I was told that anything with carmel color had gluten in it! That means no Coke, Pepsi etc. That sucks. I am still in the upset stage.

My family is willing to be gluten free, I want to have my3 kids tested does anyone who has had their kids tested out their know if a blood test is good for now?

Any good cookbooks out their for us who LOVE to cooK? I know Eating Well Magazine is an excellent healthy source but they do have a lot of wheat in their recipies which depresses me.

I went to see a GI Dr. today and not to be sexist ( I love men) but he was a jerk. I knew more about ciliac than he did which was very upsetting because I wanted to find out more about the diet I should be on. Sure am glad I found you all. I have my biopsy early next month.

Thanks for letting me vent and if any of you have any answers for me just let me know and to the chef, good luck and we are all there for you. As one cook to another I'll be happy to share with you and vise versa. Take care and be well.

Em

I do feel better on the GLfree diet, the GI guy says that is a good sign. I just need some friends who are familiar with this. I am very psyched to meet youall.

Hi, if you are going to have a biopsy, going gluten free now may cause the results to be false negative! Hope you know that.