Gluten Free Ladies

Blessings2011

Well, THAT was weird!

I just typed up this long answer, and hit "submit" and poof! It disappeared!

DianaNM - Optifast does have sugar in it in several different forms - sugar, fructose, maltodextrin....it also has fats, which we need to get to 960 calories a day.

I called Optifast and was told that the nutritional bars are considered gluten-free, but the person I spoke to referred me back to my doc for more info on the rest of the products. I think I remember hearing that the Chicken Soup did have gluten.

Obviously, if you have celiac, or are extremely gluten-sensitive, you need to be very careful. The list of ingredients in each Optifast product is very long, as it contains all the nutrients and vitamins you need for each day.

But for me - a HUGE carboholic - just reducing the amount by what I have has helped considerably.

By the way, you need to have 40 pounds or more to lose before you are accepted into the program, so you are nowhere near needing it!

glostagirl had some excellent suggestions! Before I started my program, I was making shakes from Trader Joe's organic whey protein and greek yogurt and fresh fruit....filling, and delicious. (I also was very deficient in protein, so snacked on Organic Turkey Jerky from TJs....not sure about the gluten in that, though...)

glostagirl - hope you are recuperating well from your broken femur and all the related issues!!!!

glostagirl

Thanks Blessings...yesterday my PT also told me that I have bursitis in my hip on the broken leg side.  That's why it's been hurting so much, well at least now I know why.

gardengumby

OK - so this weekend I cheated.  My hubby took me out to a brunch and we both splurged on stuff that we generally NEVER eat.  I am in SO MUCH PAIN that I feel like my legs are broken.  Not gonna cheat no more!!!!! (well, until I forget about this and convince myself that it probably wasn't the wheat/sugar/etc and do it again....  )  It's been about 9 months since I've cheated, and it'll be a lot more that 9 months before I do it again!

MariannaLaFrance

Garden-- my doc said to me "Well, how many times are you going to cheat before you figure out it's not worth it?"  I occasionally slip up, but always pay the price.  But he's absolutely right.... I think 3-4 times before letting any wheat cross my lips!!

DianaNM

I would cheat on vacation only, then get back on the diet as soon as I got home. Last October we were at WDW for the Food & Wine event. By the second day I felt completely bloated and my hips hurt so bad I could barely walk. Definitely decided it wasn't worth it!

dlb823

Isn't it a shame so many people suffer with all the things observed in the above cheating posts, but have no clue as to why they feel as crappy as they do, and assume it's normal.  It's ironic to me that "gluten-free" still has a bit of a wacko health food ring to people who aren't at all health conscious, yet it could hold the key to improving so many debilitating health conditions.

gardengumby

it's funny about the vacation thing.  I never cheat when on vacation because I don't want to ruin it.  I'm already bummed out about having to go to work, so felt more OK about doing it.  (of course, that was pre-pain....  )

DianaNM

Well I did it that way because vacation was the only time we really eat at nicer restaurants. I would let a piece of freshly made bread sneak in, or share a beautiful dessert with DH. The rest of the meal was healthy, but the small cheats were enough.

gardengumby

oh yeah - it makes sense and is so much easier to treat yourself when on vacation.  I think maybe a part of it for me is that I'm trying to mentally prepare for retiring sometime in the next year or two.  If I allow myself to be in the mindset of it being OK to cheat when on vacation, I'll turn into a pain-filled zombie when I actually am able to retire. 

Even our cheating on Sunday wasn't a lot (compared to what we normally eat it was, but compared to what other people were eating we were being astoundingly good), but I've certainly suffered since then.  It doesn't seem to take much when your body is used to not needing to deal with it.

DianaNM

Yes, you do seem to become more sensitive the longer you are off the stuff. I just think about what I was doing to my body when I was constantly feeding it sugar and wheat. Felt soooo much better when I quit. In fact, should have known something was up recently when my energy level took a dive.

Kaara

Today after my DGD's graduation I took the family out to breakfast and I had an omlet with cheese, rye toast, and hash browns.  By the time I got home I was so sleepy I could hardly hold my eyes open, so I took a two hour nap!  Definitely carb overload!

MariannaLaFrance

DLB- Often if the topic does come up that I live GF lifestyle, people assume it's for weight control purposes... which is really an awkward conversation.  I just nod and let them assume that, for the most part, since I don't really want to delve into how it affects me.  It always leads to a Paleo discussion.... 

I snuck a bite of my children's mac and cheese at a restaurant awhile back, and had a really bad headache, fuzzy feeling (hard to describe--sort of like my body was buzzing), and felt really strange for about an hour after I ate it. And that was just a bite!!   

DianaNM

Marianna, do you eat Paleo? I'm doing a version of that too. People always want to know what you're doing when they notice you've lost weight, then you get to the part where they say "oh, I could never give up (bread, pasta, sweets)". 

At some point you realize that feeling decent most of the time is more important. I'm just so glad my daughter has learned this at age 21, and hope she avoids the health mistakes I made! 

Kaara

Today after my DGD's graduation the family went out to breakfast and I had a veggie omlet (not so bad) but the cheese and rye toast and hash browns gave me carb overload!  I came home and took a two hour nap:(  Tonight I'm having my hot flashes again.  It wasn't worth it.

glostagirl

My son's 8th grade graduation is in a few weeks, the families involved are planning a little catered party at the school after the ceremony, the menu is gluten loaded!  I feel weird about bringing my own food, what would you do?

gardengumby

Is there going to be ANYTHING that is gluten free?  If so, you may feel more comfortable munching on something before you go so you aren't starving, and then eat only the gluten free food at the party.  (that's what I do at work functions).

JulieLynn

glostagirl - Take your own food!  Or, talk to the caterer and see if they can doing something gluten-free.  I've done that at weddings before - just talked to the chef at the location to check my options before I go (with also making sure that there is never any extra cost to the hosts!)  Enjoy the graduation!!

allurbaddayswillend

Hi, I'm a n00b here but not to celiac disease. I was diagnosed 3 years ago after 20+ years of suffering. With the breast cancer dx, Im having a little pity party. I was ranting about it yesterday on my blog (that has no adverts on it) but I don't think this site will let me post the link. In short, I'll just say that the system for diagnosing breast cancer is WAY ahead of the diagnosing gluten intolerance and dermatitis herpetiformis. WAY.

 I don't cheat on my GF diet ever intentionally. It was just such a relief to feel better after years of feeling cruddy it's not even a temptation for me but I get pretty symptomatic pretty easily. I'm also a paleo eater which has been good practice for going almost no-sugar now with the breast cancer dx. Are any of you guys keeping your sugar intake extremely low?

- J

Kaara

J-....I'm following a pretty strict diet that is sugar free, white flour free, almost gluten free, although I cheat once in a while.  I stick mainly to fruits, veggies, lean proteins, nuts and seeds.  I drink a lot of green smoothies made from fresh organic veggies and fruits, and take a ton of supplements.  I just finished doing a round of IV infusions (Meyer's cocktail) prescribed by my ND, so I feel pretty healthy at the moment.  The only conventional treatment I've had is surgery and tamoxifen...no rads or chemoo.

I don't do much ranting about my disease...it is what it is, and getting upset is not going to change a thing for me, so I am trying to be proactive to prevent recurrence.  Everyone deals with it differently, so if ranting makes you feel better you should do it and get it out of your system. 

DianaNM

Very low sugar for me. Have almost succeeded in cutting out substitutes too. A little dark chocolate, a little wine.

gardengumby

I haven't succeeded in cutting out sugar, though most of the sugar I do take in is from fresh fruit.  But, once in awhile I splurge and do something naughty.  The sugar doesn't seem to take much out of me - not like wheat and dairy do - yet, I know that cancer really likes sugar so attempt to not feed it often.

glostagirl

Well, I'm now working on the food committee for the graduation and feel better about getting a gluten free option.

Kaara...now that you mention it I'm having far fewer hot flashes being off gluten, hmmm.....never really made that connection.  

I got a cortisone shot in my hip yesterday for the bursitis, my ortho thinks it might help me get off the crutches sooner if my hip doesn't hurt.  I'm already finding it easier to walk on one crutch, yeah!!!  My goal is to be crutch free when I go to NOLA next month for reconstruction. 

Gardengumby...definately with you on going sugarfree as well.  I love 85% chocolate or higher and good red wine, those are my 2 food vices.  Personality vices are a whole new thread!   

Have a great GF & sugar free weekend ya'll! 

Blessings2011

My friend, who has true celiac disease, is so sensitive that she gets symptoms from the smallest things!

In the beginning, her husband made a sandwich on the counter and didn't quite wipe up all the crumbs. She made her sandwich next, out of her own gluten-free bread, and got some of his crumbs on her sandwich. Symptoms!

At a picnic, she had taken her own food, so she could be sure what she was eating and drinking. But she put it on a paper plate. Apparently there was some sort of starch between the plates to keep them from sticking together. Symptoms!

When she goes to a new restaurant, she calls in advance and checks with the manager to see if they have ever dealt with customers who have celiac. She explains carefully that they can't just wipe out a skillet to make her dish, they have to use a clean one, with clean utensils. She's done a lot of educating of restaurant and kitchen staff!

I give her a lot of credit for continuing to live her life well, despite these challenges. So much gluten is hidden everywhere these days....she has to be hypervigilant.

allurbaddayswillend

Hypervigilant, that's me. Mostly we eat at home so it works out.

I actually have added back in some fruit just because of all the good flavonoids in them. I have berries (raspberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries) most days and citrus every other day with a kiwi or something on the other days - nothing too sugary. Citrus can trigger my eczema a bit but it seems not that bad if I keep it to the every other day sched. I have cut out my splurge food of rice noodles or spring roll wrappers which I only would have once or twice a week anyway and made any sweets forbidden too except a small bit of dark chocolate. A little sweet potato or rutabaga has been pretty satisfying with dinner, I gotta say...

 I did a couple of full day fasts before my lumpectomy. That worked out well for me but I never used to be able to do something like that, before my celiac diagnosis. I did a partial fast a couple weeks after the lumpectomy where I had 30% of daily calories just for dinner after a complete day's fast. These plus some calorie restriction on other days has got me back into a "normal" weight range for my height. I haven't fasted since the port placement last week. Should I be looking for a different thread to ask about fasting and diet

DianaNM

Allurbaddays, I do intermittent fasting too. My husband was home this week and couldn't understand why I wasn't hungry in the mornings. Sometimes I don't eat for 18 hours. Like you, I could never do that on my carbo based diet.

I don't know how to do a link, so will see if this works, it is about fasting and cancer. If it doesn't work, send me a message.

 

kathycon

I had dx of BC 4 yr. ago.  I have been so tired and had a foggy brain ever since. Blamed it on the BC, but I've been GF for 2 months now and it has made a huge difference. I feel like I have a brand new brain! Lots more energy too.  I like Pamelas Better Batter for cookies. They are not exactly the same as with wheat flour, but they are really good.

I'd like to know what kind of luck you all have had in restaurants eating GF.  It's kind of scary to think about even.... 

Momine

I have used buckwheat flour for various things with good results.

I am not gluten free, but I am trying to keep my blood sugar down, so that means bye-bye to a lot of wheat stuff.

I try to keep dairy mostly to low-fat, organic and cultured. 

So for a sweet treat, buckwheat pancakes:

1 cup buckwheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon stevia (optional)

mix well

Separately beat together:

1 cup kefir

2 eggs

mix into dry stuff.

Add a small handfull chopped walnuts and 1/2 cup berries (fresh or frozen, I use frozen blueberries and raspberries).

Enjoy! 

Kaara

Yum!  I love buckwheat pancakes!  Used to get them at Ihop but not sure what else was mixed in.  Better to do them homemade!

apple

i need to cook/coordinate a whole gluten free buffet for 20 or so.  I am not worried about the 'meat'.. don't know what we are having yet, but I am worried about dessert.  I have this notion to make gluten free cream puffs. with a gluten free choux paste.  My sister has celiac disease and literally avoids all gluten.

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/how-to-make-gluten-free-cream-puffs-celiac-friendly.html

I guess i'll have to experiment first.  Does anyone have any good dessert ideas? I can make two desserts.. there will be a lot of little kids (like ice cream with strawberries or cones.. or just regular peanut butter cookies (I have a craving)).

btw.. i recently bought a waffle maker.  It is easy to come up with healthy batters and my daughter up and decided to make brownies in the waffle iron.  yep,   brownies.  they were actually quite good.

Momine

Apple, you can make an excellent apple crumble with oats, if oats are OK.



I cook the apples with a little sugar, lemon zest and vanilla, just till the juices are rendered and cooked off a little, and I cut them in large chunks.



Put the apples ina buttered tin. For the topping, mix oats, some brown sugar, chopped walnuts, cinnamon and crumble butter in with your fingers (or melt butter and moisten the oats with a fork). Top apples with oat mixture and bake, until nicely browned and crispy.