Gluten Free Diet?

[Indigo Jill]

I guess this is where I am supposed to post this? My 8 year old son, who is also a Type 1 diabetic, recently had a bioposy to test for Celiac (allergy to gluten). That test was negative but they do believe he is "wheat sensitive/wheat intolerant" because of what else they saw and his symptoms. He is a different little guy now that he's on a wheat free diet - he isn't naseous and sick anymore, has lots of energy and actually smiles now - but now the reality is sinking in that I can't just run out and pick up a burger with him, a pizza, and shopping takes me so long since I have to read all the labels. It's unreal how wheat is in so much of what we eat! I just was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions, want to share their experiences, etc.?? Feel free to PM me.

[kurt]

Glad he is doing well! Wheat free will take a lot of learning and discipline. Be sure to talk to the folks at For The Health Of It in Blue Mountain Beach. They have wheat-free products and knowledge.

[Johnrudy]

My son was tested for celiac about 10 yrs. ago when he was 5. After testing negative, we then moved on to all other food allergies/sensitivities, including lactose intolerance. We were given a cookbook from an allergy specialist, "The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook" by Marjorie Hurt Jones, R.N. It was a huge help. (There are a lot of additional resources in the book.)

Rethinking how to eat and how to cook for food sensitvities is a daunting task, to say the least. You will have to say goodbye to probably all "prepared" food and have to move to eating "whole" foods, or as close to whole as possible with little or no additives, wheat fillers, etc. It is amazing how much wheat (gluten) is used in almost all prepared foods, even salad dressings. You can spend weeks on the internet researching wheat intolerance but it's worth it. He may even outgrow some of this as he gets older and begins to tolerate it a little at a time. But they do say, we would all be much healthier and feel better without wheat (& even most grains) in our diets. There are some breads,I believe rice bread, is tolerated for some.

Good luck.

[hutch]

Pamela's Products sells wheat free products. Web site

http://www.pamelasproducts.com/

Wheat free bread mix etc.

Sorry, about the little ones.

the hutch

[Indigo Jill]

My son was tested for celiac about 10 yrs. ago when he was 5. After testing negative, we then moved on to all other food allergies/sensitivities, including lactose intolerance. We were given a cookbook from an allergy specialist, "The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook" by Marjorie Hurt Jones, R.N. It was a huge help. (There are a lot of additional resources in the book.)

Rethinking how to eat and how to cook for food sensitvities is a daunting task, to say the least. You will have to say goodbye to probably all "prepared" food and have to move to eating "whole" foods, or as close to whole as possible with little or no additives, wheat fillers, etc. It is amazing how much wheat (gluten) is used in almost all prepared foods, even salad dressings. You can spend weeks on the internet researching wheat intolerance but it's worth it. He may even outgrow some of this as he gets older and begins to tolerate it a little at a time. But they do say, we would all be much healthier and feel better without wheat (& even most grains) in our diets. There are some breads,I believe rice bread, is tolerated for some.

Good luck.

Thank you for your feedback and for sharing, Johnrudy. It is amazing how much wheat is used in the foods we buy at the grocery! And you are so right about feeling better - to help him adjust to his new restriction (which is already somewhat restricted because of the diabetes), I gave up wheat with him and I felt so much better. Now I've been sneaking it back into my diet because ... what can I say ... I'm a carb freak ... and I notice a difference! Quinoa and Corn pasta are ok substitutes but not the same.

His pediatric GI doc and pediatric endocrinologist believe there is some correlation b/w the diabetes and intolerance but feel, at this point in time, there is not the right test developed to look for what he's suffering from. They are finding many with diabetes do develop Celiac but most go undiagnosed?? (and that goes for the non-diabetic population too - many have it but aren't symptomatic) Knock on wood, the rest of us are as healthy as horses in this family (that is such a funny saying, huh?:lol: ) so adjusting to all of this has been interesting to say the least. It's all good.

[Indigo Jill]

Pamela's Products sells wheat free products. Web site

http://www.pamelasproducts.com/

Wheat free bread mix etc.

Sorry, about the little ones.

the hutch

Glad he is doing well! Wheat free will take a lot of learning and discipline. Be sure to talk to the folks at For The Health Of It in Blue Mountain Beach. They have wheat-free products and knowledge.

Thank you Kurt and Hutch for the information! Hutch, Pamela's Products has some yummy looking substitutes. I am going to order some to give 'em a shot. My little guys will be fine. On his diet, he'll probably outlive most people :!:

[tamara]

I have celiac disease and have been eating wheat and gluten free for several years. Pamela's products are wonderful. The bread mix and baking/pancake mix are something I have on hand at all times. You can buy them in bulk at amazon.com. Eating this way can be expensive and very hard to do when eating out etc. I have read up on the subject quite a bit and usually can avoid getting sick now. Best of luck to you and your son.

[John R]

i was diagnosed as an infant, and we(brother and sister) were fed a lot of banana mush, cornchips and orange juice. this was back in the early 60's, so there wasn't too much going on. we were told we grew out of it, but recently i've heard that you can never get rid of it. my sister called and said that she doesn't have it, and our pediatrician must have blanket diagnosed all of us. time to get some blood work done.

keep posting resources and info links please.

jr

[peaboy]

Glad he is doing well! Wheat free will take a lot of learning and discipline. Be sure to talk to the folks at For The Health Of It in Blue Mountain Beach. They have wheat-free products and knowledge.


Sorry to hear of your little one. We do specialize in wheat free/Gluten Free foods in our store. We offer many products from breads, cereals, baking mixes, frozen ready made meals, and much more. We also carry a variety of the pamela's products mentioned above.

Our staff have had many dealings with this and have years of knowledge and experiences in dealing with Wf/Gf. Our Nutritional consultant Susanne Morrone is a published author and works a great deal with children.

Do not get discouraged, there are many options available that are not only healthy but taste good too. We just brought in a great new Pizza from Glutano foods.

If we can assist in any way, please do not hesitate in contacting us. Our store contact info is 850.267.0558 or office@shopforthehealthofit.com.

[tamara]

i was diagnosed as an infant, and we(brother and sister) were fed a lot of banana mush, cornchips and orange juice. this was back in the early 60's, so there wasn't too much going on. we were told we grew out of it, but recently i've heard that you can never get rid of it. my sister called and said that she doesn't have it, and our pediatrician must have blanket diagnosed all of us. time to get some blood work done.

keep posting resources and info links please.

jr

JR-

I have been told by a allergist that I didn't have it either. However....whenever I eat foods that contain wheat and/or gluten I have horrible stomach problems. I have read that the only way to be certain is to have a biopsy done on your intestines. I have chose to just listen to my own body and eat wheat/gluten free and I am fine 95% of the time. Today the foods that are available are getting better all the time. The hardest part is eating out. I am going to make a fresh loaf of my Pamela's bread to bring with me to the beach this weekend. :wub: