Need Gluten Free Friends.

I just started the GF journey this week-although I have cutting out grains here and there over the past few months.

I was not told by a dr but just had some issues and decided what could it hurt......I agree, I only use the processed stuff in an emergency--like when I needed to take a dessert somewhere that I could eat so I wouldn't feel left out.

And allrecipes.com has an entire GF section here: http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/gluten-free/main.aspx

I was diagnosed with Celiac a little over a year ago. My diary is open to friends; feel free to add me for ideas/support.

Hi Sam... my name is Sam!
And I am totally gluten free, too!
If you have a Kroger by you, check out their organic frozen food section. They have a brand of pizza crusts called Kinnikinnick that are really good. They are sort of high in calories though, about 248 cals for half a crust (which isn't a whole pizza crust, it's about the size of those rectangle school lunch pizzas). But they are good for the occasional treat!
Also, if you have a Magic Mushroom (restaurant) near you, they have a gluten free pizza crust option.
Good luck! Friend me if you'd like-- I am a host for all sorts of GF info!

one of my besties on here is GF and she started a group for y'all:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/112-gluten-free

I love you too, dear!

That's my group, I've been GF for over a year and I've NEVER been happier.

This is my favorite GF bread, you have to make it, but it doesn't take a bread maker (major plus):
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ilookthetype/view/gluten-free-bread-you-can-eat-untoasted-166266

If you have any questions feel free to PM me!

For me, breakfast is the hardest meal. Everything has gluten! Even IHOP omlettes are made with pancake batter (found that out the hard way). I should have mentioned before, I love ThinkThin bars. They are GF, high protein (I'm a protein person), and taste great. I always have some with me for emergencies and snacks, and I have one for breakfast everyday. Check Amazon for the best prices. Larabars are GF too. On weekends for breakfast I'll do eggs, a meat like sausage or bacon, and on rare occasions hash browns. Since GF is becoming more mainstream, some cereals like Rice Krispies now have GF versions. Oh and Bisquick and King Arthur flour have GF versions too. Beware GF pancake mixes, they tend to be heavy, more like a whole-wheat pancake. I find I don't feel well after eating them (but my mother still thinks she's doing me a favor by making them when I go visit!)

Regarding flour, never use just one type of flour to bake something GF. You'll have the best results from combining 3 flours in thirds. So if a recipe calls for a cup of flour, use 1/3c of rice flour (the cheapest), 1/3 of maybe cocunut flour or almond flour, and 1/3 c of maybe potato flour, plus xanthan gum. GF baking from scratch is really tough, educate yourself first or you will waste a lot of time and money. Different flours have different attibutes, like high protein, high starch, etc. and flavors like coconut and almond, and you need to strike a balance. This is a decent article to start with: http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Using-Alternative-Flours/Detail.aspx. I'm 3 years in and a semi-professional baker and still find GF baking complicated. Start with mixes for now, and flour substitues like King Arthur and Pamela's that you can substitute 1:1.

BTW one positive thing to think about - when all the Christmas treats roll around, you won't even be tempted! I never gain at the holidays anymore because I can't eat any of that stuff.

Even on the hard days, I try to remember that it could be worse. For me a major symptom was artiritis in my hands and fingers. I could barely move my hands. At age 27 I was facing a life of assisted living from what I thought was severe RA. I was devastated and very depressed for 10 months. Then I found out it was gluten and - insert angel song here - all I do is not eat gluten. No drugs, no side effects, no PT, no expense. Just don't eat these certain things, and I'll be fine. It was a gift - I got my life back. I think that's one reason this lifestyle has been pretty easy for me. It could have been so much worse. Yeah, some days it's hard, but if you have a good attitude about it, you'll find it much easier.

Speaking of good attitude, did you know Celiac also affects your brain? It messes with all the chemicals your brain needs to function properly. I've been moody and prone to depression and aggression since puberty. Now I'm happy and bubbly and positive, nice and with a smile for everyone. My friends were amazed. Now that I'm better (and it takes about 2 years for your intestines to recover), I can see all kinds of physical changes. My eyesight improved, my attitude improved, my teeth improved, crazy stuff like that. The weight didn't come off though!

Oh, take vitamins ASAP. You're probably anemic among other things. I still take iron religiously and I notice if I skip a couple days.

I know it's overwhelming at first. It will get easier, I promise.

Hi all,

I have recently been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. I have yet to get the endoscopic procedure to know if it is a true celiac. In the meantime, it was recommended that I eat gluten free. So, I might need a little help now and then. AND new food ideas.

I have discovered Amy's brand frozen foods and soups that are gf. So far I have really liked the frozen meals I've tried. A friend also shared Betty Crocker's gf recipe winners: http://recp.mkt32.net/servlet/MailView?m=5060286&r=NjgwMDQ3MTEzMAS2&j=MTg4NTUyOTAwS0&mt=1

I have a very supportive husband and my kids seem to enjoy gf foods. Here's the thing - I LOVE pizza!!! If anyone has a great recipe - please share!

Did the doctor tell you to go gluten free before you go for the procedure? Mine told me to wait until afterwards because when you go for the test you need to have gluten in your system for them to tell if you have celiac. When you go gluten free your body will start to heal and then all they will see is that everything looks good. When I had the EGD done they did a biopsy, which came back positive for celiac, and they could see the damage from the gluten but if they were to test me now they wouldn't see anything wrong.

I've heard from friends who went gluten-free to see how they felt but then have to back on gluten for the testing even if they were feeling better. Something you might want to ask your doctor about.

At IHOP tell them you're allergic to the pancake batter and they will leave it out of your omelet.

Chebe makes a good GF pizza crust that uses manioc root flour.

Lots of fresh veggies, fruits, lean meats -- all are GF. The more you can stay away from the processed GF stuff the better your body will feel and the better your weight loss will be.

I need to look at those recipes when i get my computer back ( my phone is awesome, but somethings deserve a full screen )
I am g-free for sevetal months now. Never felt better!
I keep a stash of almonds and thinkthin bars in my bag at all times.

I agree, try to stay away from the processed as much as possible. However, there are some things that are better than others...
Tinkyada is the best for noodles. Don't even try others, they'll just turn out a gluey mess.
Bob's Red Mill is amazing.
If you're needing a treat - check out Babycakes. They have a great recipe book that I picked up and so far they've turned out well. They also have great pointers about baking gluten free.
I know this doesn't help on the weight loss journey, but I just found out that Fruity Pebbles are now gluten free! No joke.

Now if you do decide to take the endoscopic test, they'll put you back on gluten for about two weeks, and will overload you with gluten during that time. We found this out with my son, who's just two. After seeing how miserable he was on gluten I elected not to have the endoscopic test done. Why put him through that kind of pain when I can just as easily avoid gluten?

What lead you to having your child tested?