Gluten Free Ladies

Kaara

I was watching one of those Hollywood News shows last night on TV and they were talking about all of the stars who go on the gluten free diet a month before the awards to get their bodies and skin in good shape for the camera.  They went on and on about how much better you look when you eat only fruits, veggies, lean protein and cut out the sugar, white flour and wheat.

I've had several compliments on my skin since I started this diet 4 months ago.  A friend asked discreetly if I had "work done".  Ha!  I had work done alright...a lumpectomy and SNB! 

MariannaLaFrance

I've had friends ask me if I follow GF diet to stay slim, but honestly, I would not block out wheat if I didn't have to! I love, love, love breads and pastries, and I miss them still. I don't cheat on the diet because I have to pay a hefty price when I do, and I feel bad for about a week afterwards.

But, on the other hand, you are right about vegetables, lean proteins, no sugar, etc are a recipe for great skin and overall healthy appearance! 

althea

Hi ladies, I've been contemplating going gluten free for a while. 

I really love to bake though, and it's hard to part ways with a lot of my recipes.  I ditched refined white flour a long time ago.  Everything I make comes out great with King Arthur's whole grain flour made from white wheat. 

Then I found a gluten-free flour substitute recipe that I used for my favorite molasses cookies, and they tasted great.  I think it was a mix of potato starch, white rice flour, tapioca starch, with a teaspoon of xantham gum for each cup of the mix.  The mix was so ultra white, though, that I wondered if I was really going in the right direction.  

I'm curious if anyone here is gluten-free and avoiding refined products at the same time.  

MariannaLaFrance

I went to visit my best friend in Chicago this past weekend, and she baked these for me. They were absolutely delicious, and I now have hope that I will be able to sometimes enjoy "treats" like muffins.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/gluten-free-muffin-mix 

debbie6122

mmmm those do look good marianna, Did she add anything extra to it like any fruit? I like that they are also soy free too. We have Red mill but will have to check for king arthurs mix. I bought there GF oatmeal the other day and love it!

MariannaLaFrance

Debbie, my friend added blueberries to the mix, and it was GREAT! I took 2 extras with me on the plane home because they were so tasty....and because I struggle while traveling to find GF options. Especially in airports. I am usually relegated to nuts, dried fruit, and water that I bring from home. Now, with a little planning, I can have these as well!

Kaara

We became gluten free by choice, not out of necessity, so we really didn't think we had any allergies to gluten products, just wanted to clean up our diets a bit.  I have twice decided to go off the diet for an evening and have regular pasta, a garlic roll, mashed potatoes, etc.  One time I got stomach pains, and the other time I got indigestion, so apparently there are some allergies we were unaware of.  I feel so much better on gluten free.

JulieLynn

I was diagnosed with celiac at the age of 34 but the docs think I've had it my entire life.  Horrible stomach issues.  Diagnosed with IBS at the age of 10.  Celiac tests were never run until I requested them. 

 If anyone is looking for a great flour blend, try Better Batter.  Substitutes cup for cup for real flour and there is no need to add xantham gum or extra baking powder/soda.  Definitely the best I've found!

debbie6122

Maianna- found the mix at safeway, yay! Can't wait to try them. Bought fresh raspberries and blueberries, i will make half and half.

kaara- Same here, i dont really have a problem with non GF stuff except i do notice when i eat oatmean and WW bread i tend to bloat. This is just a healthier way to go.

Julie-I was a little worried about using xantham gum, you just never know down the road are they going to say that is bad for you too. If i can find Better Batter i will try it, is it in health food stores or any supermarket?

Sherryc

Julie where do you find Better Batter.

As for the Xantham gum if you read labels of anything you purchase at the grocery store you will be amazed at the products that have it in there.  I think all store bought dressings have it as do many other items, so chances are you have been eating it for years.

coraleliz

I wa tested for celiacs 2yrs prior to my BC diagnosis. I had quit eating wheat prior to seeing the gastroenterologist at my PCP recomendation. I had to start eating wheat again prior to testing. My tests came back neagative for celiacs. My PCP told me that some people have celiac like symptoms in response to the altered wheat that's in use today(as CP418 posted). I mostly avoid wheat but also have other food sensitivities. It seems like the less I eat the better I feel which was OK when I wasn't being treated for BC.

barbiecorn

I have been lucky to have a gluten free store in town...decided after BC to change my diet and go gluten free even thought I have not been checked for it....I digest the gluten free products so much better now.

JulieLynn

You can get Better Batter online  thru their website - Try googling it.   I have only found it at one local store called Celiac Specialties.  Google them too.  They will ship and have the best donuts!

debbie6122

I typed in better batter and the web site comes up and there is a link in find store, it gives you an alphebet list of states and tells you where they are in each state, mine is in salem which is about an hour away from me. I go there often so next trip i will buy some. donuts?? hmmm- yum!

Kaara

We don't miss the bread at all, and I never was much of a baker, but DGD was here last week and wanted a grilled cheese sandwich.  Couldn't understand why grandma had no milk, bread or cheese in the house!  Wanted to know if I was poor:)  She settled for some vegetable soup and gluten free chips.

MariannaLaFrance

Kaara-

That's funny about your grandson! My eldest child (9) has problems with a rash around his mouth constantly. I've been to a dermatologist (who only wanted to give him topical steroids) and an allergist (who tested him and decided he had a berry sensitivity).  However, I think he might have a gluten/wheat problem, just based on what I've read.

I told him that this summer we would ALL go gluten free. So I have to get good at making pizza (his fave food) that is GF.  For him, a life without pizza is a bad thing!!!

JulieLynn

Debbie - Try www.celiacspecialties.com for the donuts - They are the best!  Better Batter also has a great brownie mix.  Let me know what you think - Enjoy!!

dlb823

Marianna, there's a simple antibody (blood) test that would quickly ascertain what food allergies and/or sensitivities might be causing your son's rash.  It's called the IgG Food Antibody Assessment.  My naturopathic doctor ordered it for me, and it cleared up so many suspicions I had, as well as freeing me to eat a few things I had worried about, but which aren't a problem.  I learned, for example, that gluten isn't my problem -- just that I'm highly wheat intolerant, which is much easier to work around.    Deanna  

gardengumby

Brown Rice Bread is good (can't remember the brand, but I get it as Fred Meyer's health food section - it's in the freezer).  Also Costco sells a gluten free bread by Rudy's - also in the freezer section.  My hubby still likes an occasional toasted cheese sandwich, and he's totally happy with the rice bread (he has a wheat sensitivity as well).  I'm allergic to wheat (give me asthma), but used to cheat with great regularity.. - since starting on letrozole, I do NOT cheat on wheat anymore, as the pain is just too much. 

As someone said - it's AMAZING how much stuff wheat (and sugar) are sneaked in on.  

JulieLynn

Two more good brands for bread - Udi's and Canyon Bakehouse.  Udi's also has good muffins and a flat bread pizza crust that I just tried at home and was happy with.

debbie6122

Deanna- Thats my problem too, dont think im gluten intolerant just wheat intolerant.

MariannaLaFrance

Ladies,

I had to make these muffins after my friend in Chicago baked up some for my visit.  They are delicious!!!  I have added blueberries, cherries and cranberries to the mix, and they are all good.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/gluten-free-muffin-mix 

althea

Hi ladies, I'm reading Donna Gates Body Ecology Diet.  It's a gluten free diet among other things.  So far I've made just one recipe for soup, broccoli fennel, and even my mom liked it.  Hope all the others are just as tasty.  Grains allowed are quinoa, millet, amaranth, and buckwheat. 

debbie6122

Marianna- I dont think i told you i tried those muffins that your friend made and they were delicious!

Althea- Can you share the broccili fennel soup recipe please, that sounds really good

MariannaLaFrance

Duh, sorry, didn't realize I had posted it before. Debbie- so glad to hear you liked them.

I got "glutened" last weekend, when we had a party and I could not resist a piece of dripping with honey baklava. I paid for it!  It tasted great, though.

Getting over a stomach bug today, so nothing but rice water here. I am dreaming of food, apparently. 

althea

Fortunately, it's already findable (and typed) at

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1002190

I'm especially interested in Donna Gates right now because she maps out how to get rid of candida yeast overgrowth.  I'm not sure that I have it, but I have a sister in law who's battled it repeatedly for years.  Plus, my mom has taken so many rounds of antibiotics for recurring uti's that I feel certain she'll benefit from this diet too.  

debbie6122

Marianna- LOL thats ok, i actually thought your last post was for a different one anyway!

Althea- Oh that looks yummy, i will probably use all of the fennel not just the tops since i like fennel so much. Thanks for posting it

Kaara

We have been gluten free (almost) for about six months and feel much better.  I didn't think I was allergic to wheat, but when I tried adding it back into my diet, I realized instantly it was a problem with the bloating and gas.  Cutting out flour, pasta and grains has not bothered us that much.  I have found substitutes that work just fine, like quinoa pasta.  The best is the weight we've lost.

debbie6122

I bought the gluten free oatmeal from red mill and it is so good i dont get that bloated full feeling with it kaara i love the quinoa pasta i just wish my DH did it would be so much easier switching over completely.

Kaara

debbie6122:  Yes, it is much easier if both partners in the household can follow the same diet.  My boyfriend has MS and is trying to treat it holistically as well, so we are in the same boat.  He is much more diligent than I am about sticking to the gluten free.  I will cheat now and then.