Celiac Disease

[Oatmeel]

Hey all, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease on Friday, which means I can't consume gluten any more. Does anyone else here on the Escapist have this problem? If so, do you have any tips for identifying food with gluten in it and shopping for gluten free food?

 

[bookboy]

I don't have it, but I've met (and cooked for) people who do. my advice to you would be that you can find gluten free foods at your local food store because they are usually marked as such. an easier way to avoid gluten might simply be to make your own food from scratch, avoid pre-made foods and ingredients where possible, and check the label or call the company when you are unsure.

I also know that health food/ naturopathic food stores near my house have dedicated gluten free Ilse, so you might want to check any near your house.

also, I've been meaning to find out for a long time now, is Celiac disease an actual disease? caused by something interfering with your ability to digest gluten? or is it more of a food intolerance (lacking of the required enzymes) or allergy (immune system overreaction to gluten)?

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

 

[Davrel]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

I have never met, and probably never will meet this person you speak of, but I hate them.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

I know quite a few people with gluten intolerance. They like it because they know they can eat lots of dark chocolate and still remain rake thin, it's infuriating.

Seriously though, as long as they're careful with their diets, and a lot of them swear by gluten-free replacement products, then they're absolutely fine.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

I have never met, and probably never will meet this person you speak of, but I hate them.

Oh, there is more... ahem:
She thought our patio slabs were wet because they had absorbed the water from next door's patio.
She asked "If the Chinese celebrate New Year in February, does that mean they celebrate Xmas at a different time?"
She didn't know that heat raises.
She didn't know why house plants grew towards windows.
That major evolutional changes could happen in 2 generations.
What the title of the show "3rd Rock from the Sun" meant.

And many, many more.

 

[SmartIdiot]

Most foods should have a little label somewhere saying 'Gluten free' or 'Suitable for coeliacs', I say most though, just lookout for wheat or barley in the ingredients and avoid if it contains it. Also if you're ever in a bar where they serve coke or any other soft drink on the tap just get a can instead. A coeliac friend of mine said it was something to do with gluten being in the draught or the pipes, forget which one. Oh yeah and avoid beer. It's over-rated anyway.

 

[Davrel]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

I have never met, and probably never will meet this person you speak of, but I hate them.

Oh, there is more... ahem:
She thought our patio slabs were wet because they had absorbed the water from next door's patio.
She asked "If the Chinese celebrate New Year in February, does that mean they celebrate Xmas at a different time?"
She didn't know that heat raises.
She didn't know why house plants grew towards windows.
That major evolutional changes could happen in 2 generations.
What the title of the show "3rd Rock from the Sun" meant.

And many, many more.

Oh wow...the evolution one is perhaps forgivable (not everyone knows about Mendel and his peas); but if you didn't murder her, I admire your self-control.

Getting dangerously off-topic - I'll stop now.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

I have never met, and probably never will meet this person you speak of, but I hate them.

Oh, there is more... ahem:
She thought our patio slabs were wet because they had absorbed the water from next door's patio.
She asked "If the Chinese celebrate New Year in February, does that mean they celebrate Xmas at a different time?"
She didn't know that heat raises.
She didn't know why house plants grew towards windows.
That major evolutional changes could happen in 2 generations.
What the title of the show "3rd Rock from the Sun" meant.

And many, many more.

Oh wow...the evolution one is perhaps forgivable (not everyone knows about Mendel and his peas); but if you didn't murder her, I admire your self-control.

Getting dangerously off-topic - I'll stop now.

Sorry, that may have been a bit vague, I'll rephrase. She actually believed that humans could evolve things like tails and webbed feet/gills. in 2 generations.

 

[Oatmeel]

Thanks for the replies, people. I've been doing some research and found that there is gluten in some unusual products, such as soy sauce. As for beer, I'll never be able to experience it? Is it really overrated?

 

[Fruuba]

I don't have Celiac but I have had severe anaphylatic reactions to gluten among other foods my whole life. As far as getting food, I've found that local co-ops often have more foods that cater towards individuals that have dietary restrictions. If you don't have a co-op near you, some of the bigger grocery chains also have a small section dedicated towards gluten-free items. Some of my favorite companies are Glutino and Gluten-free Pantry, both of which have safe substitutions for things like pretzels or cake mixes. The main priority you should probably have now is reading the label's of everything you buy because sometimes the things you least expect to have wheat in them do for some reason. It sucks for a while but you'll probably just develop a habit eventually. All foods are required to label their ingredients as well as put any allergens they have in the product in bold right beneath where the ingredients are listed. Wheat should be included in that group so its a little time saver to start there. If you're having trouble finding breakfast foods, which I often do, General Mills' Chex have several gluten-free options as well as some baking mixes. Stay away from pretty much all alcohol, especially beer, unless you've researched the specific brand because some of them use a fermentation process that doesn't get rid of the gluten. It'll probably be a ***** to get used to in the beginning, but once you find you niche in the grocery stores and what brands you like, there are a lot of substitutes for the foods you'll probably miss the most, you just have to get out there and find them. Hope that helps at least a little.

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

Thanks for the replies, people. I've been doing some research and found that there is gluten in some unusual products, such as soy sauce. As for beer, I'll never be able to experience it? Is it really overrated?

Don't listen to the nay sayers, there are beers out there which are safe for celiacs. They're pretty good though a tad on the expensive side. For you naysayers I say: http://www.glutenfreepassport.com/eatingout/gfbeer.html

Most of the prepared food that you can buy that's advertised as wheat free will be fairly expensive. Some of it is a nearly flawless replacement, some of it is disgusting. Here's a couple that I've learned to trust over the years:

-Spaghetti: there's 2 major types, one made from rice and another from corn. DO NOT EAT THE RICE TYPE. It tastes like paste and has a consistency like soggy paper. The corn one is a little firm but tastes good.

-Frozen waffles: Vans is the name of the brand, they've got a lot of different types of waffles that are pretty fantastic. There are plenty of supermarkets that carry their gluten free products.

-Soy sauce: kind of mythical that there's gluten in soy sauce. Kikkoman brand is usually considered safe. If you don't trust it, there's another brand called San-J that is marketed as being 100% soy, no other ingredients.

-Eating out: Mexican is usually safe, just specify that you want corn tortillas instead of flour. Chinese food is also usually safe if you order something like fried rice or Mongolian beef. Just be very careful when you go out to eat, there's a lot of stuff that isn't safe and it's impossible to tell just by looking. Don't be afraid to ask your waiter/waitress if she can find out if there's something in a dish that you know has wheat in it.

That's most of what I've got. Hope it points you in the right direction.

 

[jasoncyrus]

snip

I would love to hear about this idiotic flatmate more

 

[Oatmeel]

Thanks for the replies, people. I've been doing some research and found that there is gluten in some unusual products, such as soy sauce. As for beer, I'll never be able to experience it? Is it really overrated?

Don't listen to the nay sayers, there are beers out there which are safe for celiacs. They're pretty good though a tad on the expensive side. For you naysayers I say: http://www.glutenfreepassport.com/eatingout/gfbeer.html

Most of the prepared food that you can buy that's advertised as wheat free will be fairly expensive. Some of it is a nearly flawless replacement, some of it is disgusting. Here's a couple that I've learned to trust over the years:

-Spaghetti: there's 2 major types, one made from rice and another from corn. DO NOT EAT THE RICE TYPE. It tastes like paste and has a consistency like soggy paper. The corn one is a little firm but tastes good.

-Frozen waffles: Vans is the name of the brand, they've got a lot of different types of waffles that are pretty fantastic. There are plenty of supermarkets that carry their gluten free products.

-Soy sauce: kind of mythical that there's gluten in soy sauce. Kikkoman brand is usually considered safe. If you don't trust it, there's another brand called San-J that is marketed as being 100% soy, no other ingredients.

-Eating out: Mexican is usually safe, just specify that you want corn tortillas instead of flour. Chinese food is also usually safe if you order something like fried rice or Mongolian beef. Just be very careful when you go out to eat, there's a lot of stuff that isn't safe and it's impossible to tell just by looking. Don't be afraid to ask your waiter/waitress if she can find out if there's something in a dish that you know has wheat in it.

That's most of what I've got. Hope it points you in the right direction.

Thank you so much for this. It really helps me out.

 

[AfroTree]

Off topic I know, but a university flat mate had coeliac disease, she acted like she was a better person because of it. Kind of like the pretentious vegetarians who try and push their lifestyle on others. Mind you, she also believed that 'dissolve' and 'melt' were the same thing, so maybe it's because she's an idiot.

I have never met, and probably never will meet this person you speak of, but I hate them.

Oh, there is more... ahem:
She thought our patio slabs were wet because they had absorbed the water from next door's patio.
She asked "If the Chinese celebrate New Year in February, does that mean they celebrate Xmas at a different time?"
She didn't know that heat raises.
She didn't know why house plants grew towards windows.
That major evolutional changes could happen in 2 generations.
What the title of the show "3rd Rock from the Sun" meant.

And many, many more.

*grabs popcorn* , moar?, and..I came here to find out what it is..'cos i have no idea what celiacs(?) disease is >_>