Ruth

Can you ask/convince your brother to get tested for celiac before your daughter's appointment in December? His diagnosis will be the concrete evidence your ped. is "looking for" and it will help your brother too! While your at it...if he does have it, have your other children (at least the 5yo) tested too.

There is a great thread about the pros and cons of the whole family eating gluten-free ... or not. It was just a month or two ago (I think in this parents of kids section... not sure) Basically, I think the general feeling is there is no right or wrong answer... just what works for your family! I make meals gluten-free (no more expensive, really!) and have both mostly gluten-free snacks. We do have a shelf of regular bread, etc. But in our house, nongf is the minority.

All the best,

Ruth

I found it at a small, local, mom & pop store.

However, you may find it at a store near you ... It is labled "Sathers" and it is sold in 2/$1.00 4oz. bags. It almost looks generic, but with a Red & Yellow label.

The label on the back says "Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. Round Lake, MN 56167"

PS Mariann was right... they are a bit "stale" but they do the trick... and they are not Brachs!

Thanks for your replies!

I found a bag of Farley's Candy Corn today... just in time for my son's school Halloween party.

FYI The "Room Moms" (who were soooo good to call me and ask what products my gluten-free son could have!) came up with a great gluten-free Halloween treat.

"Monster Claws"

(1) clear plastic glove per child .... fill tips of fingers with candy corn. Fill rest of glove with popcorn. Tie with orange and black ribbon.

Richard,

I just came back to the message board to post my feelings after receiving a call back from Brachs.... and saw your reply.

"Ditto"

Does anyone know if it is gluten free?

I called the company, but have not received an answer yet.

These are the ingredients:

Sugar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Honey, Soy Protein, Gelatin, Confectioner's Glaze, Dextrose, Artificial Flavor, Titanium Dioxide Color, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 3, Blue 1.

I know there are a couple of brands of candy corn listed on this site, but I can't find them anywhere... Brach's seems to be everywhere!

Thanks,

Ruth

At the advice of an allergist, I do not list gluten as an allergen or celiac disease on my children's medical alert braclets.

I only list the allergies that cause an anaphylactic reaction. (peanuts, tree nuts, pennecillin, etc.)

In case of a medical emergency, I do not want an EMT wondering what gluten/celiac is, and delay administering life saving medication because they are in doubt.

FYI: For the "immediate life threatening" allergies my kids do have, I have found some great looking/functional medialert braclets for them at this site: www.n-styleid.com

Does anyone know what this is? I'm questioning it as an ingredient in Mariani's Yogurt covered Rasins

Thanks

I was wondering the exact same thing!

Any answers would be much appreciated!!

I'm making my reservation in the morning! Thanks for the advice...

Pam,

Did you go to the Elephant Walk the weekend of the 24th?

I was going to make a reservation for my anniversary. Any feedback would be great!

Sharon,

Try this...

Open Original Shared Link

I think the other may have been an old link.

P.S. Sharon... I forgot to mention, I think you are right about the "loss as a gain" aspect of dealing with this. It does come up sometimes, "Mommy, I wish I didn't have to worry about what I have to eat" or "Mommy, I wish I could have the same pizza as everyone else at the party" .... It's true, we cannot diminish the real feelings of loss, etc they will have as a result of this diet. I just hope it makes them stronger/more understanding if they meet addtional adversity in their lives or when they meet others with differences.

Sharon,

It sounds like you are on the right path in discussing this with your son.

After all, you know your child better than anyone else.

I took a similar approach with my daughter. All three of my children were screened as a result of my being diagnosed with celiac. My daughter's blood work came back very high positive. We (my husband and I) were shocked. She had no symptoms. I explained her test results (we even had them done again, just to be sure) and proceeded with the biopsy.

I tell you, it is really hard to explain this to a child... especially one who doesn't feel sick in any way. But, she is a strong, understanding child, and accepted her diagnosis. In our situation I explained that gluten has damaged her intestines, and that she would get really sick (like I did) if she continues to eat it. I even explained to her about villi and how it is needed to absorb nutrients to help us grow. I explained that gluten "flattened out" the villi so it couldn't do its job, and this is why people with celiac eventually get sick in some way. She had just turned eight when we recieved her diagnosis.

That was it. She immediately went on the gluten-free diet. There was no "This is your last oreo" or "this is your last piece of real pizza" type of discussion. I thought that would make it too negative. However, I did make sure that during the days leading up to her biopsy I did give her all the gluten-filled goodies she wanted, I just didn't tell her I was doing it.

I did try to focus on the positive. I have taught her to read labels, look things up in the gluten-free listings, and we always plan ahead for the parties, sleepovers, etc.

No doubt about it, it is tough on them. But it sounds like you've got a great kid who will rise above all this.

Best of luck you and your son.

Ruth

Hi Bridget,

I was wondering why I couldn't find those Chicken Nuggets! UGH!

I did hear that Ian's is coming out with a gluten-free chicken nugget... I'll let you know if I find them.

I've never used the Delphi forum list. I'll be printing it out today, Thanks!

It is interesting how overtime you find what gluten-free products suit your situation and it becomes like second nature to buy them. I now know what stores to go to, what isles to go to, etc. for specific products. The only issue becomes when products are discontinued, or the ingredients change. This will be an ongoing adventure I guess.

Take Care,

Ruth

Hi Sharon,

My daughter was diagnosed at 8-years old, so I understand your need for a "mainstream" product list. I also use the CSA list however, I find this list even more helpful Open Original Shared Link

Be sure to check the latest ingredient lists because sometimes the product formulations change. My daughter (and my 6 year old son) also have peanut/tree nut allergies.

If your son already has some favorite foods that happen to be gluten free this wil help ease his transition.

Also, some favorite gluten-free "kids meals" in our house are:

Welshire Kids Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets (with Heinz ketchup, and veggies)

Hebrew National Beef Hog Dogs (no bun) and B&M Baked beans,

Baked Potatoes with gluten-free toppings

Kinnickinick gluten-free Pizza Crust with Classico Sauce and Cabot Mozz. Cheese

Hormel Chili

Dinty Moore Beef Stew

Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash

Also on this board a lot of parents shared what they pack their gluten-free kids for lunch. This will be helpful to you as well... do a search under "parents of kids" and the "products" sections.

Of course, whole foods cooked from scratch are best for everyone, but one or two meals a week that are "quick and fast" before a soccer game or whatever are needed too!

Good Luck. Don't beat yourself up.... you have followed your instincts and your son is being tested...

If you do find he has celiac he will be better soon... it is amazing how dietary changes can make such a huge impact. Let us know how his appointment with the gastroenterologist goes.

Take Care,

Ruth

This is a delicate issue! While you don't want your gluten-free kid to be jealous of non-gluten-free siblings' food.... you also don't want non-gluten-free kids to "blame" the gluten-free child for what they are missing. I think that the ages of your children will play a big part in how you handle things in your home. I would never expect a child without celiac/gluten intolerance to eat gluten-free outside of the home.

Here's what works for us:

Three out of five in our family are gluten free. My husband and 4 year old son are not gluten-free. Two children (age 8 and 6) and I are gluten-free.

Like Richard, most meals in the house are gluten free --- because it just makes sense --- no cross contamination issues, its easier, and you would never know the difference!

Also in our house all snacks tend to be gluten free... cookies, chips, ice cream, etc. I think when it comes to kids the snack issue is important... It was hard for me at first to watch others eating Oreos... I can't imagine how a kid feels! I know my two gluten-free kids deal with this every day at school, so I try not to make it happen at home... when there are so many goodies we all can enjoy!

Other than that, my husband and son who are not gluten free have regular bread, eat regular pizza, have buns on their burgers, etc.

We have one shelf that is for non-gluten-free foods all other places are gluten-free.

Good Luck,

Ruth

P.S. You really should look into having the whole family tested.

Wow! This is great news.... I haven't even investigated this since going gluten-free in March of 2003. I always used to use progresso as a quick lunch.

Thanks,

This good news comes just in time for cold weather!

Ryebabyo,

Where do they have these classes?

I have emailed Elephant Walk in Boston (they have a gluten-free menu... and offer cooking classes...) but they haven't gotten back to me yet.

Any others in the Boston area interested in cooking classes? Where do you go?

Thanks,

Ruth

Dear Taylor's mom,

I'm not fully aware of your daughters situation, but please remember... blood tests do not always show if someone has celiac disease!

I underwent many tests after receiving a negative blood test for celiac. The other tests were unnecessary (hind sight is 20-20) although I am glad I had them to rule out any other more severe problems.

My gastroenterologist insisted on a biopsy --- despite my negative blood work.

Thank goodness he did.

Trust your instincts, cover all your bases related to other problems your daughter may have, and if you still don't have answers, you may have to revisit celiac.

Good Luck,

Ruth

Hi,

My daughter was tested because I was diagnosed. She had absolutely NO symptoms --- I never thought she would test positive... but she did. (Positive blood test and biopsy)

She was diagnosed at eight years old... December will mark one year gluten-free for her.

Let me know if you need tips on eating school... friends houses... etc.

Good Luck,

Ruth

Just glanced through Child magazine last night. There were a couple of references to children with food allergies. The "Recipe Finder" is about "Allergy Free Meals" with a focus on wheat-free recipes for "children with food allergies". It looks like all but 1 of the recipes are gluten-free. I wish they noted that the first recipe for "Wheat Free Chicken Bites" was not suitable for those on gluten-free diets (it uses rice crispies). So many well-meaning people (friends and relatives) may make this for celiac kids not knowing...

In the same issue, in the "Etiquette Corner" the first question is about a child on a gluten-free diet -- and the mom's problem with the grandma feeding all the other grandchildren pizza while her daughter had to eat gluten-free food.

While the press isn't perfect... it is great that these topics are being covered in national publications!

Call the Executive Chef at the Four Seasons, Boston.

I had a wonderful gluten-free meal there at a charity event. They gave me what everyone else was being served, but prepared it gluten-free.

I'm sure they could assit you, and there is a great view... right on Boston Common/The Public Garden... be sure to request a window seat!

Good Luck!

I'm not sure if this will work for you, but try Enjoy Life Foods. Their labels on cookies, cereal etc. say they do not use most major allergens.

I know one of the boxes says the product is free of nuts, soy, corn, yeast, dairy, and gluten ... not sure about rice though. It's worth a call/visit to their web site.

Good Luck!

I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia....in 1999 after my second child was born.

After three years of pain, I was diagnosed with Celiac... b/c of my anemia... and after about 6-9 months gluten-free my fibromyalgia symptoms went away completeley. The doctors say this is a coincidence.... I definetly know it is related to gluten.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in March 2003...

I have only had the pain of fibromyalgia when I have had a gluten accident!

Life is good.... the pain does go away!!

Ruth

PS Barabara...all my blood tests were negative for celiac disease... my biopsy was positive. Some people do not have postive anitibodies for gluten, but most definetly have celiac disease. Because of my negative blood tests, the diagnosis took a long time. Thank God for a gastroenterologist who saw so many celiac symptoms and insisted on the biopsy!!

Just wanted to let everyone know of a great new gluten free cookie!

EnJoy Life Foods makes double chocolate and "no oats" oatmeal cookies that have won rave reviews from my kids! They are also free of other common allergens: tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, dairy, casein, corn, potato and yeast (as per the double chocolate box) Check out www.enjoylifefoods.com

I found them at Whole Foods.

FYI: The cookie on the box looks way bigger than the actual 1" size cookies in the box!