If you are new to this...

I wanted to write a post about some things that maybe will make the transition to the gluten free lifestyle a little smoother. When we found out my son couldn't have gluten, (even a tiny bit) he was two months shy of his 2nd birthday. I went gluten free to help him transition, so he wouldn't be eating foods that were so different from Mom and Dad... then I figured out that I too have a problem with gluten.

Now, I haven't been diagnosed a Celiac, and neither has my son, but both of us have multiple symptoms of the Celiac "Disease", in fact my son has ALL symptoms of childhood CD. But at the prompting of his pediatrician, we decided not to have the test done. There were numerous factors involved in this decision. Our doctor helped us understand what would be at risk if we were diagnosed. My son could potentially have problems getting insured because CD is only managed by following a gluten free diet. Because there is no magic pill, a lot of insurances consider it a pre-existing condition. We would have to let him eat Gluten for a while before he is tested, so that the test can be as accurate as possible. This would not only make him very sick, but do damage to his healing intestines, and even then, the tests aren't always accurate. Then our doctor asked me the question that cinched the decision. "What are you going to do if he tests positive?" I said, "Do what we are already doing." He said, "Exactly. If there is a need in the future, do it then, but as of right now, you don't need a diagnosis to do what is best for your son." I wanted to hug him right then and there. I had struggled for a while with what to feed him, and scrutinizing every last ingredients list, and I was feeling like I was failing my son in some way. It was then that I realized, because the doctor told me how pleased he was with my son's growth and recognizing it was because I was doing everything I could to ensure his health was where it should be, that I can do this. I absolutely can do this. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it downright sucks, but the benefits of this lifestyle have far outweighed any downsides.

So, for those of you who may be in the boat I was in a little while back, I want this site to be a place that brings you that comfort that my visit with the pediatrician brought me. YOU CAN DO THIS! YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING!

When this all started, we ate only rice. My husband was cheap, and I was astounded at the cost of pre-packaged GF foods. So, we started with the basics.

We cook a larger batch of BROWN RICE, and store it in the fridge, so that it is ALWAYS on hand for a quick fix. That way, we can add all sorts of things to it.

Here is a list of foods I keep on hand in the pantry:
RICE
MILLET
QUINOA
DON JULIO CORN TORTILLAS (I keep these in the fridge)
LA CHOY SOY SAUCE (It can be found in most grocery stores. It doesn't contain wheat)
CANNED FRUIT PACKED IN JUICE OR WATER
CANNED BEANS (Check labels always on canned goods)
DRY BEANS
TINKYADA GLUTEN FREE PASTA
BROWN RICE FLOUR
WHITE RICE FLOUR
GUAR GUM OR XANTHAN GUM (Guar is less expensive)
TAPIOCA STARCH
POTATO STARCH
SORGHUM FLOUR
COCONUT FLOUR
COCOA POWDER
FLAX MEAL (You can keep this in the fridge)
PURE MAPLE SYRUP (I buy Spring tree)
AGAVE NECTAR (raw only)
RAW HONEY
RAW ALMONDS
RAW SUNFLOWER SEEDS
RAW CASHEWS
DATES
DRIED FRUITS (Check ingredients)
OLIVE OIL
SPECTRUM PALM SHORTENING (non-hydrogenated)
COCONUT OIL (I don't use this a ton, but it's nice to have on hand)
PALM SUGAR (I am refined sugar free, so this is the sugar I keep on hand)
SKIPPY NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER (or SUN BUTTER if you are peanut free)
BOB'S RED MILL MIGHTY TASTY HOT CEREAL (I use this in place of oatmeal)
CHEX CEREAL (Rice, Corn, Cinnamon, Chocolate)


Here is a list of foods I keep on hand that are NATURALLY GLUTEN FREE:
All sorts of fresh FRUIT (organic)
All sorts of fresh VEGETABLES (organic)
MEATS (un-marinated)
HOMEMADE CASHEW MILK

Some of my favorite pre packaged foods/snacks that I buy that are GLUTEN FREE:
LARABARS (Or make them yourself)
PURE BARS
LAYS POTATO CHIPS (Classic)
SIMPLY FRUIT ROLL-UPS ( just fruit and fruit juice)
TREE TOP FRUIT SNACKS (These are GF, but I rarely buy them anymore)
SWEDISH FISH (These are usually SPECIAL treats for my son... I don't keep them in the house)
DUM-DUM'S (These are also occasional treats for my son)
RAW TRAIL MIX (You can make your own)
BLUE DIAMOND NUT CRACKERS
UDI'S GLUTEN FREE BREAD (Both the multi grain and the white are awesome)
VEGENAISE
CHEX CEREALS (obviously not Wheat Chex)
GLUTEN FREE POTATO SHREDS (Frozen. READ INGREDIENTS. NOT ALL SHREDS ARE GLUTEN FREE)

One thing that you should DEFINITELY DEFINITELY have on hand ALWAYS:
PROBIOTICS!!! This will help heal the damage that has been done to the intestine. In our house we use: GARDEN OF LIFE RAW PROBIOTICS which are gluten/dairy/soy free. KEEP THIS REFRIGERATED.

I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD QUALITY PROBIOTIC FOR THE HEALING OF THE INTESTINES, AND THE IMMUNE ISSUES THAT CELIACS HAVE.

I want to say something that I only found out after I transferred my son to soy milk. TOO MUCH Soy can be harmful to the development of hormones in little boys. Soy contains phyto-estrogens, which can hinder their reproductive health. (I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, but this was told to me by a nutritionist). My son is now off of all soy, and is now on rice milk, or homemade almond or cashew milk.

CHECK ALL INGREDIENTS IN PACKAGED FOOD. WHEAT IS IN SO MUCH! Here is a list of ingredients that contain gluten. 

A few of my favorite BOOKS:
COOKING FOR ISAIAH (this book is GREAT for people cooking GF for children)
SIMPLY SUGAR AND GLUTEN FREE
THE SPUNKY COCONUT
THE WHOLE LIFE NUTRITION KITCHEN

I hope this post helped. I honestly wish I had found a list of things to keep on hand when I was first starting out. But if you have more questions, there is a big list of my favorite gluten free blogs in the side bar. ALL OF THESE SITES ARE GREAT RESOURCES!

Good luck! And I promise this change will make all the difference!

Susan

Also, a word to the wise... MOST RESTAURANTS HAVE INGREDIENTS/ALLERGEN INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITES. ALWAYS ALWAYS CHECK FIRST.

Example: NO FAST FOOD HASHBROWNS ARE SAFE FOR CELIACS! And McDonald's french fries CONTAIN WHEAT STARCH! Just double check before going out.