TGK112

Thank you folks. I just Amazoned a large box of Kind bars which are going to be my dinner during my upcoming business event.

 

nvsmom, I'm so stressed out by this diagnosis I hadn't even thought of talking to the caterers in advance. Thank you for reminding me!

 

tgk112, any tips or Web sites I can check to start building a list of restaurant foods? It sounds like you have a lot of experience with that.

 

GFinDC, I understand you are trying to be helpful, but unfortunately your recommendations are completely impossible in my profession. For me to eat healthily I still have to be able to afford to buy the food!

There are a couple of websites/apps that can find nearby gluten free restaurants

Open Original Shared Link   is a good one. You can also try   Open Original Shared Link  Even Yelp has a feature where you can specify gluten free restaurants in your area.

When I eat out I tell the server "that I will have a very severe reaction if I have any bit of gluten" ( even though I won't) - just to make them realize that it is serious, that I'm not on some sort of fad weight loss diet. I usually stick with grilled meats and vegetables. I have not been to a Chinese restaurant since diagnosis - but have found a good Thai restaurant with a gluten free menu. When I eat at a Mexican restaurant - I order fajitas - no tortillas. When I go to an Italian restaurant,  I order chicken cacciatore - no pasta. At general restaurants - salads are usually safe. Generally meat and vegetables are okay - you just have to watch the sauces.

I hope this helps.

I was totally asymptomatic when diagnosed last summer - at the age of 56. I was losing bone density, despite being on a bone building drug. I was tested for celiac to " rule things out" - and surprise - it was ruled in -the antibodies were high and the endoscopy confirmed it.

Like you, I felt like a very poor "barometer" to know if I was doing the whole gluten free diet correctly. I never felt sick eating gluten, I have done a TON of reading, and now have a pretty good handle on things. Most people on this forum claim that they get more sensitive to gluten as time goes on - I personally have not found that. I have never had the experience of "getting glutened" - but can't imagine that I haven't slipped at least once. There are very slight things that I have noticed since being gluten free - a bit more energy, and some changed bathroom habits.

You are right - eating out is the hardest part - so go prepared!

The good news - six months into the gluten free diet, I just had a follow up. I was VERY anxious for this - to know if I have been doing the right things. Both the blood work and endoscopy came back showing remarkable improvement. I have been instructed that here on I just need to have blood tests on a yearly basis.

Thanks for all the responses. The doctor tried explaining - that prior to being gluten free, I was constantly inflaming my intestine - something like not letting a sore heal by constantly hitting it. Now that the intestine is healed, he said, even if it does get inflamed on rare occasion, by sticking to my apparently successful gluten free diet, it should heal very quickly.

It seemed to make sense at the time - but now that I've seen these comments - I'm thinking NO WAY!

I just had my 6 month follow up - with great results. As for blood work - my TIGA was 4 ( normal being 0-3) - my first test it was 19, and my TIGG was a 3 (normal being 0-5) - my first test was 14. My first endoscopy showed moderate to severe damage, and six months later, my endoscopy showed complete healing. My GI was amazed at the recovery, saying that he has never seen such quick healing. I even questioned if the first diagnosis was indeed accurate. He said - considering both the blood work and biopsies, there's no doubt.

He said - considering how quickly I have healed - that if I would like - on special occasions "to treat myself to something special" (gluten filled), that it should be okay- as long as I immediately go back and continue on the gluten free diet. What do you all think?

I think most of you will enjoy this - especially those of you with multiple allergies or intolerances.

We went to Cactus this past weekend in Kirkland. It has a fantastic and extensive gluten free menu. And the food was delicious! I believe they are also located in Madison Park.

I've been meaning to also try Blue Moon Burgers.

I had a similar situation. My osteopenia turned to osteoporosis - despite being on Alendronate (Fosamax) for the past two years. It came as a shocker to be diagnosed with Celiac since I had none of the obvious symptoms. I'm also a healthy eater - but probably indulge in carbs more than you do. I did go through with the endoscopy which confirmed Celiac. It was explained to me that not only does Celiac contribute to osteoporosis because of malabsorption issues, it also affects bone health just because ANY inflammation in the body is bad for bones. I will be having a follow up blood test and endoscopy next month ( after being gluten free for 6 months)

I was symptomless - at least gastro-wise. I was losing weight and bone mass- but I never felt sick eating gluten products. I have been gluten free for nearly 5 months and have yet to have a reaction. Like you, I can't imagine that there have not been accidents along the way. I am very anxious for my 6 month follow-up. I am also hoping that the blood work and endoscopy shows that the diet is working. If it is, then I think a lot of the paranoia and self doubt will go away!

I have always been a very loyal Trader Joe's customer. However - I find their labeling totally irresponsible! They have MANY products with a "g" icon on front - implying gluten free. However, on the back side of the product , there is often a disclaimer that the product was made on equipment shared with wheat containing products. I have brought it to store managers' attention and I have written the headquarters. The reply was - the "g" just represents no gluten ingredients and went on to say " We are happy to let you know that, now that the FDA has finally passed a ruling on what it means for a product to be 'gluten-free, we will be testing all of the products that currently contain the "G" icon for actual gluten-free status. This process, of course, will take quite some time, but we definitely feel it will improve our allergen control program."

I was disappointed to hear that it took an FDA mandate for Trader Joe's to step up their labeling. I expected a lot more from them. When I replied with my disappointment in them - I never heard back.

Maybe it is my own ignorance regarding the Jewish faith, but wouldn't even Orthodox rabbis allow some latitude to those who have a medical condition?

I have some Muslim friends, and they do not need to fast during Ramadan if they have a medical condition that would make fasting worsen their condition. I just assumed all religions had the same sorts of guidelines.

Great to know! I saw your post about Red Robin - last time we were there, they added that cross-contamination disclaimer- which made me nervous! I think they're all different as far as separate work areas, etc - and the disclaimer was for all Red Robins. But I will definitely try Blue Moon - and order some onion rings and beer with that burger!!

Matzoh is "unleavened bread" I don't know that is needs to be made from wheat - but it typically is. A Jewish person does not HAVE to eat matzoh during Passover (an eight day holiday) , however they are not suppose to eat any bread, crackers or leavened products - so matzoh fills in as a good substitute. Matzoh is eaten as an integral part of the Passover seder - special meal which commences Passover. I can't imagine that anyone - except someone who is extremely Orthodox - would mind if gluten free matzoh was served at a gluten free seder. I plan on buying some - as well as some gluten free matzoh ball mix which I've spotted on-line.

I fit this post. I had no symptoms prior to going gluten free - and have had no symptoms since going gluten free - four months ago. If it weren't for the positive blood tests and positive endoscopy - I would question whether or not I really had Celiac! I can't imagine that I haven't messed up being totally gluten free over the past four months. I was actually hoping to get a tiny bit more sensitive so I would know if I am sticking to the diet correctly.

Hi. Is this the Redmond Town Center RR,, or the Overlake RR? I had good luck at the Woodinville location.

Redmond Town Center

After my rave review of Graces 5 - all gluten and dairy free - found out it has been shut down. Apparently the owner has not been paying taxes for quite some time

Too bad - the restaurant had an excellent gluten free menu.

Really? Interesting goat cream alfredo sauce. Does it taste different?

A bit - but awesome!! Very creamy -

I'm a sort of newbie, getting to grips with stuff. Loving the forum (thank mother earth for this forum!).

I've been gluten-free for 10-11 weeks, had various odd symptoms and strange body things not to mention the mention hairloss.

But. I keep reading about being gluttened... What are the symptoms? I've just posted a topic on the different levels of celiac as I'm wondering would I know if I'd been gluttened? Is it possible I'd show few/no symptoms?

Is it possible I've escaped being gluttened in 3months of being gluten free? My kitchen still contains many gluten products (as my son and husband still eat the usual bread, cereals etc) and there are often crumbs on thr floor/table as much as I do try to clear up ALL the time, it's inevitable with a 5 year old.

Could I just be 'less' sensitive? Or have I just been lucky?

I read both your posts - and Identify with you a lot! I am just over 3 months gluten free - and am totally unaware if I have ever been glutened. I never had classic symptoms before diagnosis - and feel that I have been careful. But it's hard to believe - as a newbie - that I haven't made any mistakes over the past several months. I put a post out a while ago - also asking if there are different degrees of sensitivity - I was wondering if for one person it takes a speck of gluten to get a reaction , while for others it may take much more. I will have follow up blood tests and endoscopy in February - I am anxious to see if there is improvement. To me - that will be the only indication that I have actually been gluten free.

After being diagnosed with celiac, a friend told me that surprisingly Red Robin does a great job with gluten free. And they do!!

There is a gluten free menu, which describes what alterations are made to make the meal gluten free - including gluten free buns. The restaurant in Redmond has a separate work area, and my meal comes out on a plate, rather than the typical basket. We were told that the fries are prepared in their own fryer, so no worries of cross contamination. All servers seem to be well aware of what they need to do - and we even noticed on the bill, my meal has an "allergy alert" next to it.

We are so impressed - we've even signed up for the Red Robin card - which let's us earn burgers. I hadn't been to Red Robin since my kids were young - now they're grown, but my husband ( non-celiac) and I are regulars there!

Chattanooga, Tennessee is getting it's very first completely gluten free restaurant called Crave. I am so excited! Anybody else have a gluten free only restaurant near you?

Yes - Graces 5 in Redmond, WA - outside of Seattle. It is gluten and (cow) dairy free - they use goat cheese. They make an incredible fettacini alfredo

Interesting you posted this today. I have celiac (symptomatic)...and just found out today my mother is on the edge of being osteoporotic. Also, she has some Italian blood (not sure if that contributes to the risk factor, think it might). Of course, asymptomatic, too. Good informational post but makes me worried for those who could have it and not know. Have you started following a gluten free diet and what was your reaction when you found out? Does celiac run in your family?

I have been gluten free since diagnosis - but for me it would be hard to really know how successful I am doing at it. I am looking forward to having another blood test and endoscopy in a few months ( 6 months from diagnosis) and am hoping that it will show some improvement.. My reaction when I found out - a bit of shock - it was just so unexpected. Celiac does not run in my family - however when hearing the news, my brother got himself tested - and found out that he has the gene, but not the elevated antibodies.

I have been following this forum for 3 months - since my diagnosis. Most people write about their various symptoms. I found this diagram fascinating - the article that went with it said that about 2/3 of people with celiac have no symptoms - such as myself. Most of these people get diagnosed in a round about way - in my case ruling out celiac being a contributing factor to my osteoporosis - surprise - it was ruled in! However - reading this forum, I feel well in the minority - so needless to say, I was surprised to see that I am actually in the majority.

http://cdn.livingwithout.com/media/newspics/the_celiac_iceberg.webp

Thanks all- I still eat dairy - almost daily - yogurt, cheese - since I am also dealing with osteoporosis. I will try to be a bit more aware when this bloat happens. I know it's usually after a meal - even if the meal is primarily salads or fruit.

I have been gluten free for two months. I was relatively asymptomatic prior to my diagnosis - it was a bone density specialist who suspected and had me tested for Celiac. I can't say that I feel any differently after two months- but again I didn't feel poorly before going gluten free. However - I do notice after most meals I feel quite bloated. Is this typical? It's hard for me to know if I've been glutened - since I never really had the classic symptoms - but I was thinking that after two months being gluten free ( I think) - that I shouldn't be feeling bloated so often.

I went to Five Guys and ordered a bun-less burger (I brought my own). I asked them to keep the burger away from their buns. When my order was being prepared - all the workers on the line automatically put on new gloves. Another plus for Five Guys is that they have a small menu- so I had no worries about their fries - there was nothing to cc them with.

Before I was diagnosed, I kept getting blisters on my lips. I thought that maybe the sun was having some weird effect. Once I was diagnosed, I realized that my lipstick was probably the culprit. I threw away all of my lipstick - but am still bothered with dry and sometimes blistering lips. I'm coming up on 2 months gluten free. Since I had no "classic" symptoms before diagnosis, I have no idea how well I am following the diet. I finally, just today, replaced my face moisturizer. Anyone else with lip problems??