Do you Eat Gluten Free?
Posted by: kiwigal
29th Nov 2011 07:30am
I would like to start up some sharing to do with Gluten free living. I am a person that has had to live gluten free, not by choice but to improve my well being. Who else has had this experience here? What tips do you have.
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Comments 20
AshleighLK
I am not gluten intolerant but I do enjoy the taste of gluten free bread occasionally
EileenW1
It is becoming harder and harder to cope with all the various "allergies" and things my guests insist they must avoid in their food. It has reached the point where holding dinner parties are now a nightmare because I must cater for the vegans, vegetarians, gluten free, along with those on calorie counting diets, non GI etc etc etc. Only a few years ago we held regular dinners at each others homes and everyone had a great time, eating whatever had been prepared with a few exceptions for strong allergies. Now those same people have 'discovered' intolerances which they seemed not to have suffered until recently. After having to cook food which looked so unappetising and tasted dreadful, three different main courses, including one which ressembled bird seed to cater for various diets, I have now decided although I love those friends it is no longer a pleasure to have them for dinner.
juneebabe
Hi I too am a Coeliac & have had a huge reality shock but having to change to a Gluten Free lifestyle. I decided to live - so it was a given that i would be careful. I found NOW - that understanding the different flours that mix into a better flour mix for cakes & another for biscuits is all important. I find that eating natural foods benefits me too. I had a lot of trouble before i let my marriage of 38 years - my husband had no care & even cut up a ham for me one xmas & swore it was gluten free - after 15 minutes i was so sick & i lost that week due to his inability to care. Just so long as he was fed it didn't matter about me. Now my home is gluten free & i feel safe & really check on that when i go out too. I phone ahead to where i'll be going out to see if they'll be able to cater for me or not. It's interesting that's for sure. I find the food is great now i know what i'm doing.
Captain Slog
Hello Everybody,
I'm a glutton and I'd Love a FREE Pizza!
There aren't many things for Free these days.
(whisper, whisper, whisper, etc.)
Ohhh! Sorry! GLUTEN!! "GLOO-TEN"! I thought you meant. . . Nahhh! I'm not into Gluten Free. Even THAT'S expensive! I prefer real food.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Joking aside, it isn't really funny when some people are un able to enjoy every day foods like most of us, and because they are forced to eat alternative foods, "Gluten Free," they are even more forced to pay a fortune for it.
A tiny loaf of GF bread? $10!!! Bloody hell! That's just not fair! Its nothing more than criminal to make people pay that much because they can't eat anything with Gluten in it.
musicmum
Yes the Gluten Free makers are cashing in big time. I find the products are just not worth the money,just better to make your own. I also make bread for my son, we buy a big box(pre-mix just add water etc) costing just over $7 that makes 4 huge loaves works out so cheap(there are even cheaper ones). I think more people will realize we will need to get back to basics and spend more time in the kitchen than searching in the supermarkets. Buy a bread maker the savings will pay for it in no time and the smell of fresh bread cooking is wonderful.
Captain Slog
HAPPY NEW YEAR MusicMum,
Just a "NOTE" (Ha!). As I said, I am fortunate enough to enjoy ALL Foods, but, I whwen I was shopping, at the time I first wrote about this, I saw this poor girl, a Visitor, searching franticly for something, and when I asked if I could help (I'm like that. I may not work there, but I'll gladly help people), and she told me she was looking for Gluten Free Bread, and explained he situation. I found it for her, but even I was shocked at the prices. My Bread is PAM'S Whole Grain for $2.20. It used to be TIP TOP, VOGELS, Ploughman's or Quality Baker's Whole Meal, but they're nearly $3.50 each. The Bread this poor girl had to buy was as big as "6" to Space Bar on your Keyboard and as long as TAB to "P" and it cost $10. Other products were double or triple the price of Normal products. As I also said, its bloody CRIMINAL what they're doing just, because its Gluten Free. I TOTALLY sympathise with these poor people who have this Health Defect. Especially when they're forced to shop out of town when they're visiting from other places on Holiday, or they're visitors from overseas.
Good Health to you all this year and may some amazing discovery be found that will end this for you forever. Take good care.
musicmum
It is really easy and cheap to make your own gluten free bread especially with a bread maker and it tastes great. Google it and you will be surprised at the choices of ingredients and recipes.
Anonymous
Hi, Kiwigal.
I have had experience living with two people who had gluten allergies. I assume you live with family? Some tips i have would be;
Have a gluten free pizza night. Have the whole family (if applicable) join in in making healthy gluten free pizzas.
Any kind of foods like this are always fun.
Spaghetti nights, etc.
milly
Hi I have just recently gone gluten free as I found out through a iridology test that I was allergic to wheat.At first I found it very hard as there was the family to consider( 2 meals) but then I thought most things we can all eat and the rest I can have for myself and it will last( yippee).So far I have lost 12kg and 2 dress sizes and I find that I feel great. I find if I go back to the bad food I get dark circles under my eyes which tells me to stop. Good luck to you and anyone else who suffers.
Bellxchat
I tried "gluten-free", but got a bit tired of always reading labels. So now I don't eat grains in any way shape or form, and life's so much simpler. It's not always easy to avoid grains - dining out, other people's homes - but it is do-able. I eat as much fresh vegetables as I like, some fruit, nuts & seeds, eggs, fish and occasionally chicken or beef. I feel much better, and have lost a bit of weight without any effort. (stay away or cut down on packaged "foods" and you'll be half-way there already!)
Dona
HI Kiwigal
I have been zero gluten for 12 years now .. I am gluten intolerant and was very ill . All my symptoms cleared up very quickly after going gluten free. I wish I had known sooner that it was causing me ill health. . I would never ever go back to eating gluten. You have to be very careful though that you dont injest any amount of gluten (not even a crumb) because that will take you back to square one... The benefits are absolutely incredible.
Gluten is hidden in so many products so become very aware and go "zero gluten" ..its the only way.
Dona
Bettina
I have been on a gluten free diet for many years as I was diagnosed celiac. I am happy we have so many options available to us. However, prices are too high. We do not have any choice. But I agree with you the only way is to avoid completely any gluten. To have a lot of will power because benefits are great!
Sydmum23
I started going wheat free and gluten free back in 2004, to improve my health and wellbeing, as I'd get intolerance reactions to it (such as bloating, tummy trouble, etc). It was hard at first, but because I didn't have to be super strict about it, it was very do-able. You just need to stick to rice-based foods, fresh fruit and veg, and meats / fish too. You can easily get gluten free pasta and bread. For the gluten free pasta, I prefer the Casalare brand pasta. It tastes better and cooks well. (And you can get them with spinach in it, or tomato & basil). There's also a good range of gluten free cereals available, most of them are by Orgran. The only thing to watch out for are pre-made sauces and anything in a packet. Check the ingredients list, and re-check the same labels every few months or so, as many companies change their ingredients over time, without any noticeable label changes (apart from the ingredients list).
h.deb
My 11 year old has to avoid Gluten (among other things) and found it hard to understand that many soups and confectionery contain gluten. Take away options are very limited but there are good ones out there - unfortunately it can be hit and miss.
The coeliac society produces an ingredients list that tells you what ingredients contain gluten (glucose syrup from wheat is considered gluten free) and is handy to take shopping. In Australia the "Gluten Free" labelling means you do not have to read the ingredients list but everything else needs to be scanned.
Many major manufacturers like Kraft or Cerebos Foods produce lists of gluten free products in their range and will respond to emails addressed to customer service.
My son eats lots of unprocessed meat, fruits & vegetables as I know they cannot contain any gluten.
Nyse
I also have coelics so have no choice butt to be gluten free and recently I downloaded an App on my smartphone which allows me to scan barcodes on items in the supermarket to see if they are truly gluten free - has been great! I find being gluten free expensive, but find that there is a good range. I am also addicted to quinoa as a gluten free food choice.
kiwigal
Good to know, it seems over here in NZ we are getting educated. there are some great provisions for celiac's, websites, gluten free food, education also the fresh is best policy. That is soo good about that manufacturers being so sensitive to consumer needs.
doc
Yes. I have been diagnosed with coeliac disease so mine is involuntary.
It is very difficult to live gluten free as thre is hidden gluten in almost everything apart from fresh fruit & vegetables. Even the humble cornflour.....well the cheaper brands contain wheat too. It really means studying the labels on all items (although some ingredients are not conclusive)
On a positive note...there are a great many special gluten-free foods available now, but at twice/three times the normal price.
I tend to adapt some recipes...using rice flour for example. T\I miss bread/toast/crispbreads the most.
kiwigal
Hey Doc, I found that also with prices. One thing that helped me was the fact many indian shops have rice flour which is a cheaper alternative. As always fresh is best. Yeah I get the label bit also read everything now. i miss cheese & bacon fresh bread.
musicmum
Hi, I have recently changed to gluten-free and have found it really easy as there are so many products available now,even in the supermarkets,but read all ingredients as many are laden with too much sugar or salt. Best to go to a health food shop for advice. I eat rice,buckwheat,corn or quinoa pasta and flours,you can buy gluten free bread mixes,invest in a breadmaker if you can makes it so easy. And just eat more wholefoods like vegies and fruit. It has changed my life as I am healthier happier and more positive,i didnt realize how much gluten was affecting me until i suddenly got very sick a couple of times and i have been suffering for many years with digestion problems which are all gone now. good luck!
kiwigal
Thanks for your imput, I am having a good time with it, glad to know you are also. It is a good way of life.