Gluten Free Girls (and Guys!)

I've been not reading so have some catching up to do, but wanted to comment on the baby undergoing testing for celiacs. Just wanted to chime in that my son and daughter have both been tested and tests were negative, but we went gf with them anyway because it was helping with all their symptoms. They are both on the growth charts now and growing at a steady rate, though still small. Their bowels are much better also, and they sleep much better than before also. It has been over a year for them both, so my daughter was 2 when we started and my son 9 months old. If they get some gluten, boy do we know! My son had a couple bites of regular spaghetti a few months ago and was within minutes acting like he'd been given heavy drugs, lethargic, very wobbly, goofy and giggly (okay in itself, but horrible when it's for the wrong reason) and that night I had to have him sleep with me because he was up screaming every few minutes. He got terrible diarrhea for days, and even some cold like symptoms. When I told his pediatrician what had happened, he said that he's definitely severely gluten intolerant even though the celiac tests were negative, and to keep him off gluten. My daughter has severe behavior and bowel problems when she gets gluten also, and sometimes throws up a little, but she has only had tiny amounts, like crumbs, of gluten when this happens. So, even if the tests come back and say that's not it, I would recommend trying the diet for awhile anyway and see how things go after awhile.

I missed the stuff on the play dough, but we have soyerdough and my kids love it!! I just saw an add for another type of allergy/gluten free dough for kids, but it was pretty expensive. My 3 yr old loved hearing on the add that it was gluten free. She was yelling, " Mom it said it gooten fwee, gooten fwee!!!!". I agree with auntbliz...all my daughter's tests were negative, but you can tell when she has gluten. So, we've kept her GF even without the diagnosis. And, everyone supports this, which was sort of surprising.

heartnsoul- I hear ya! We went to the grocery store to get a quick dinner. Grabbed baked chicken at the deli, tub of tater salad and coleslaw. Yup! Both the coleslaw and potato salad had wheat in them. Publix's brand is wheat free (or at least I don't recall seeing it on the list), but apparently Kroger's isn't. Explained why I didn't sleep well Monday night. I don't understand why in the world they had the need to add it in there. Gratuitous wheating abounds! Hope you feel better.

Ok, so it's official. Despite all my denial, I am definitely gluten intolerant!!!!

My parents helped us move 2 days ago and we went out to dinner at a Lebanese restaurant. It had been weeks since i had any gluten beyond what was in some fried chicken a few weeks back, and I'd eaten gluten ease with it and did fine. So I started to wonder if the gluten thing was in my head. So the devil on my shoulder convinces me to scarf a chicken shawarma pita sandwich! :noway: It was delicious, though

I woke up the next morning so tired I felt drugged, my stomach looked like I was 4 months pregnant and was painful and gassy. The day before I was 1 pound short of my goal weight, but I gained 5 lbs overnight!!! I was so tired all day I kept falling asleep. So far I have only lost 4 of those pounds, my abs are still not as defined, and I'm still sleepier usual. The worst part is, all I want to do is eat, especially things with gluten in them :frown:

So never again! :explode:

Hey everyone - I'm gluten free (CD) and in Canada!

Things here are a bit different - things that are labelled there aren't here (Crystal Light, etc), so that sucks. But we're starting to catch up - Betty Crocker doesn't sell here, but a friend brought me some home that was pretty good (I think I still prefer Glutino though).

I found out in spring 2009, and found the adjustment really hard in the beginning. I would allow myself cheat meals (hello pizza! burgers!) but with each exposure my reactions got worse and worse, until it was simply unsafe for me to risk it. When I am exposed to minute amounts, I feel it within in minutes, because my stomach starts to cramp in a very specific way.

I was wondering - does anyone know of a decent burger bun? I'm dying to have a hamburger!

@cutmd--I kept going back over a month and a half and trying to eat it. Started GF on Dec. 15th. By end of Jan. I did not have any problem leaving all the yummy gluten foods behind. I think you have to eat it and see the consequences to make the decision to not eat it. It is really easy to watch my friends and family eat the breaded foods, bread, pizza and such now that I know what it's going to do to me. Good luck!! Hope you feel better soon. Unfortunately, it usually takes my daughter and I about 5-7 days!!

Thanks, sometimes I feel like the only loser with no self-control. Yeah, the recovery period is like a week for me as well. My stomach still feels gross and the cravings are still bad. I seem to really hit a sweet spot about 3-4 weeks out from gluten, but then I feel great and get cocky!!! So hardheaded! :grumble:

I need a gluten free ticker for motivation. Anyone have one? I was watching my coworkers eat donuts and bagels this am with more than a hint of jealousy. I need some gluten free cupcakes or donuts or something. Any suggestions for something I don''t have to bake?

jalara, I like to make hamburger's with my Udi's sandwich bread :flowerforyou:

cutmd- I'm the same way with cheating. It's stupid pizza! I love New York style pizza and the gf crusts just don't hit that craving. There's some brand in a red box that's frozen - they're good! Just not the style of pizza that I love. You'd think that since I know it'll make me feel bad and unable to sleep that I'd be able to refuse it, but I can't. Like when I was thinking I was lactose intolerant (which I now think was misplaced gluten issues), I'd plan out my day around being able to have ice cream. Guess those are my food issues shining through! With everything else, it takes time to really get inline. Hopefully sooner, rather than later, us cheaters can keep ourselves in line. It does nothing but hurt us.

And about the bagels, etc. I got the Van's Blueberry waffles, pretty good. They're really sweet though, so I only eat one. They're frozen so you'd just have to pop em in the toaster at work.

Lastly, the gf Biquick totally works! Consistency of the batter is funny, but it turns out fine. I tossed in some fresh blueberries from the farmer's market in some of them; both versions were great. Put a little local honey on them, scrambled a couple local free range eggs and my Saturday brunch was awesome! Didn't feel like I was missing out.

cutmd-- its probably the popcorn. That sodium count is totally off. Plus, you never know if it has come into contact with crumbs from pretzels, hot dog buns, etc. I actually take my own popcorn and snacks. My doctor even wrote me a note that I can show if told I can't take them in, stating that I have allergies and must have my own safe food.

Anyone willing to ship gf Bisquick to me? I used regular Bisquick all the time before and it is so slow getting to my little corner of the world. Pancakes, biscuits, shortcake, casserole topper, sausage balls...must I go on at what I know I could have if only I had the bisquick!!!! Who does seem to have it?