Going GLUTEN-FREE...Need Advice!

[Amnesiac]

Well, everyone, we all do something crazy at some point in our lives, and I'm no exception (apparently). Desperate to make a change in my life, I've decided to adopt a common approach to treating my condition and adopting a gluten-free diet.

Yep. I'm going gluten-free. Possibly dairy-free as well if I get everything all planned out properly, which is why I'm here. I've never been one to frequent the Farmer's market or Whole Foods in my time, having thankfully grown up in the delightfully delicious (and undoubtedly toxic) decade of the 80s and 90s, so I have no experience with hunting for or selecting nutritious food. And since there are likely many of us here who have such experience, I'd like to know what to do next.

I need foods, brand names, chain stores that sell, and simple dishes and recipes that I can use. Foods that are portable and durable against spoiling are a plus! In addition to any other tidbits of information you can give.

WARNING: I'm going gluten-free...not vegan. ANYBODY suggesting ANYTHING to do with onions, beets or cauliflower will be summarily beaten with a rowboat oar...followed by the rowboat.

 

[TropicThunder]

Up here in good ol' Canada, alot of places like bakeries and cafes offer gluten-free products. The place that I work has a whole line of gluten free products ranging from breads to pastries and the like. I couldn't list any particular brand name, because we make it all ourselves. We keep handy guides so everyone knows which are gluten-free, egg free, dairy free and so on. So maybe try looking in a place like that.

And alas, I am a self-proclaimed recipe master. Let me see what I can scrounge up for you.

 

[tickledorange]

A lot of big named grocery stores carry it, you just have to look for it. Trader Joes and Whole Foods are also a great place to look.

 

[BlackestLily]

My sister has a gluten allergy and simply can't eat it. Her solution for that was eating a product with spelt in it, which I guess is a wheat substitute. You can buy spelt pasta, spelt flour, etc, and apparently you can make anything with it that regular wheat normally would.

Also, a lot of stores carry gluten free products anyway. Think rice crackers, etc.

 

[BellaRisa]

We all know that beets are grown by Satan, but what's wrong with cauliflower? Put it in the blender with a little salt and pepper and a bit of cheddar cheese and it's a lot like mashed potatoes

Meanwhile if you ask our mutual friend exactly what he eats and where he shops he should be happy to let you know 🙂

 

[Dave Pavet]

You should check things out with your doctor so you don't become the latest victim of the "Fad Wagon".

 

[porcelaindoll2]

http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free/

You can buy Bob's Red Mill at Whole Foods and in the organic section at grocery stores. Actually Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Health Food stores tend to have a fair amount of gluten free products.

 

[venray]

There is nothin quite like good farm grown sugar beets and the greens they come with and fresh cauliflower with cheddar cheese sauce is on the menu for tomorrow ight...

Now to topic....what is a gluten and why would I want to set it free?

 

[ShiningIce]

Sadly knowing what you should eat, and actually doing it can be two different things 🙁

 

[Amnesiac]

You should check things out with your doctor so you don't become the latest victim of the "Fad Wagon".
- Dave Pavet

I've already started working on the daily vitamin and mineral requirements and the possible supplements I'll need to take during the transition to make sure I don't malnourish myself (YAY for 300-level A&P textbooks!). And as far as my doctor's concerned, this entire venture is an experiment to test for demonstrable results...if I can establish a control and the results are noticeable, then I'm staying on it, if not, I'll go back to healthier crap that I'm already eating.

We all know that beets are grown by Satan, but what's wrong with cauliflower? Put it in the blender with a little salt and pepper and a bit of cheddar cheese and it's a lot like mashed potatoes
- BellaRisa

I have my reasons Bella...that said, your beating will be suspended in light of the fact that you'd enjoy it.

And alas, I am a self-proclaimed recipe master. Let me see what I can scrounge up for you.
- Tropic Thunder

I DEMAND THAT YOU WILL!

You can buy Bob's Red Mill at Whole Foods and in the organic section at grocery stores. Actually Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Health Food stores tend to have a fair amount of gluten free products.
- porcelaindoll

Sweeeeeeeet! On it!

 

[kered]

If your store has a special foods section look for Amy Tan's stuff.....some of it is almost passible for food. She has micro wave rice dishes that are gluten/dairy free. Quinoa is a great substitute for pasta. The freezer section might have gluten free products and I have seen gluten free cookies. All of these are kinda salty in price.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

My sister has a gluten allergy and simply can't eat it. Her solution for that was eating a product with spelt in it, which I guess is a wheat substitute. You can buy spelt pasta, spelt flour, etc, and apparently you can make anything with it that regular wheat normally would.

Are you sure it's spelt that way? 😱

Seriously, I thought that I read that gluten is found in spelt as well as kamut.

 

[Sunriseticklee]

There are a lot of books (I have a couple) that give info on gluten free food and recipes.

From- www.glutenfreetips.org.

AVOID:

- All foods made from wheat flour like bread, pasta, crackers, biscuits, cakes and pastry
- Wheat based breakfast cereals like Weetabix, puffed wheat, All Bran , muesli
- Wheat, rye, barley or oats used as an ingredient

Less obvious sources of gluten in manufactured foods:

- Wheat flour as an added ingredient, processing aid, binder, filler or carrier for flavourings and spices
- Wheat starches used as a carrier for spices, seasonings, flavourings or as a filler or binder or for dusting during the manufacturing process
- Contamination with wheat, rye, barley or oats during food production or storage

GLUTEN-FREE (SAFE) ALTERNATIVE FOODS:

- Rice (white, brown, wild, rice flour, ground rice, rice cakes, rice pasta, rice noodles)
- Buckwheat, buckwheat noodles
- Maize (corn), maize starch, maize flour
- Cornflour, corn starch, cornmeal, popping corn, corn pasta
- Polenta
- Potato flour, potato starch
- Soya, soya flour
- Bean flours (chick pea flour, split-pea flour)
- Sago, tapioca, cassava, arrowroot, millet
- Oats in moderate amounts (up to 50g a day, which is one portion) can be consumed by most coeliacs without risk though little research has been done on oats in children with coeliac disease.

Whilst the change in your diet looks to be a great challenge you will find that you can easily adopt to this in a few months and the health benefits will be great.

 

[tickmankyle1]

hello if you need some advice i'm a chef and helped a girl at work who can't eat gluten at all. there are many cook books out there. I shop a lot at natural stores and the ones in my hometown have tons of gluten free products. Yes they cost more but they can help you in the change over process. if you need any more help let me know will always be willing to help.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I've been doing a gluten free diet for the most part since learning of my lupus and being advised to do so. It's been very helpful. I still cheat a bit here and there. But, I've found very real differences in how I feel...and in my ability to push myself without ending up flat on my face as quickly. If you want to give me an e-mail addy, I'll send you some of the guide documents I've saved, along with links to helpful sites/resources I've found. Just give me a few days to respond. I'm still trying to play catch-up after returning from my dad's...and having to clean up from all our snow!

PS for those who may be interested in weight loss... I've also lost 23 lbs since going gluten free! Amazing what a difference all that bread, pasta, etc makes! lol