Hi,

Just found this discussion. About five or six years ago after I retired I changed my eating habits after I started reading about food, it’s effect on your body and well being and where some foods come from. I was never overweight, am blessed with good health and have no organic problems. I decided to eliminate white flour as much as I could and lower my carb intake. . A couple of years down the road I realized I had embraced a lot of the gluten free lifestyle. My goal was to eat as naturally as I could, eat whole foods , no processed foods, no canned foods and I became a big label reader and eliminated a few “low fat” items in my diet. My daughter,, at the same time, was following the same path and is passionate about nutrition. I lost 10 pounds without meaning to do so and some of the belly fat all women seem to have.

I love eating and love to cook and tell people constantly how to lose that belly fat if they ask. When I was pregnant with my 2 children over 50 years ago, my doctor (who delivered my children) told me to go on this exact same diet. I did what he said and gained exactly 17 pounds with each child.
I am not entirely gluten free but I think it’s a fantastic way to eat for everyone. I bake with almond and coconut flours when I do bake and found it is easy to make breakfast muffins with no sugar.

Reading labels and knowing where your food is sourced is critical for our health. There are so many phony “natural” foods, low fat junk and additives on the supermarket shelves. Healthy eating requires research, something people are not inclined to do unless there is s health problem. So many medical problems are related to food and we are constantly undermined by the Food and Drug administration, big Pharmaceutical companies and all the special interest groups out there with their biased research (funded by special interest groups).

We are the only species on this planet that does not regulate their food intake...us and the poor animals we feed. It ain’t easy folks! But it gets easier and more enjoyable over time.
I ate better as a child because there were no fast foods and my mom shopped at the local markets for fresh meat and vegetables. My children ate better when I was raising them...there were very few fast food places available. My grandchildren are bombarded with tv ads and fast food places.

So today, I am 78, feel stronger and healthier, have perfect blood panels, take no prescription drugs, exercise and just enjoy living. I also have good genes...so important. I don’t deprive myself so , if I want a pizza, I’ll have one. I am not bragging but I have personally seen the dramatic effect of diet change in a few close friends and family.
Again, gluten free is such a good start for everyone.

Regards from FL Mary (and yes we dodged this hurricane this time)

I just got the call from dermatologist- not skin lymphoma but Grover’s. I have been gf. No meat eggs fish chicken I cheat w dairy— I dont know what foods changed diet can help I also have tons of allergies— I have acquired after post menopause I am clue less but great ful for this site
I’m looking for support - I read cilantro helps - I’m allergic
Maybe we can support one another

Has anyone had phototherapy

Because corn tortillas are used in most true Mexican restaurants (not always Tex-Mex style). The ones i eat at say what tortillas they use for the items and those are the ones I get. Tacos are always corn tortillas, flautos are corn tortilllas, enchiladas often (not always). I eat at them often enough that I've learned what dishes are made with what tortillas And they always come with refried beans and rice (both are always safe no matter where I eat). I never eat the chips and salsa appetizer because i don't want to ruin my appetite for the main meals. I'm talking about the sit-down style of Mexican restaurants being more trustworthy than the fast food style.

I’d like to welcome you to Connect, @therjes, and thank you for a very informative first post. @eileena, thank you for your participation in so many discussions–I truly appreciate how you offer great information and support to Connect members.

MSG is gluten-free. Glutamic acid is naturally present in our bodies, and in many foods and food additives–monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of the common amino acid glutamic acid. I was even surprised to learn that MSG occurs naturally in foods, such as tomatoes and cheeses!
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg
However, cross-contamination is a very challenging issue for people who've been diagnosed with celiac disease–many are surprised to learn just how little gluten it actually takes to make them sick. Here are some examples:
– foods cooked in oil where battered foods have been fried
– meat and other food cooked on a grill which is also used for cooking regular food with gluten
– gluten-free pasta that may be cooked in water used for regular pasta, or rice that may be cooked in liquid containing gluten

I’d sincerely encourage you to view the "Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Page" on Connect, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/ and browse through a few articles and videos by Mayo Clinic experts:
– Tips to Avoid Cross-Contamination in Gluten-Free Foods https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/tips-to-avoid-cross-contamination-in-gluten-free-foods/
–Celiac Disease: Review of Current and Future Recommendations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/celiac-disease-current-recommendations/

@eileena, @therjes, both of you have raised a noteworthy issue that celiac disease patients often face: Cross-contamination while adhering to a gluten-free (GF) diet. The important point of this conversation is that there is a conversation taking place–even if you don’t agree with everything, I applaud you for your efforts to further the discussion.

Very interesting - thanks for the info. Jane Brown. Do you have any problems with fruits or vegetables?

I have been gf for about 10 yrs. Diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2010. The initial learning curve was steep, I'll grant you that. So many labels to read! We found that the easiest way to eat gf is to just eat real food. Meat. Fruit. Veggies. The processed, high fat, high sugar replacements for gluten foods are mostly kept to a minimum. We have been able to eat very similarly to before my diagnosis, except for eating out. THAT is a huge pain in the ass and takes web searches, phone calls to managers and endless questions asked of servers and their managers. Ugh. The higher-end the restaurant, the more gf they can cook as the chefs have the training and education to understand our condition and cross contamination.

@therjes
Hi,I

I was happy to read your post because 3 things stood out for me...Eat real food, Eating basically the same way as before the GF “diet” and Read labels. It takes perseverance and research which you have done. As you said, being aware of the fat and sugar content of GF replacements is important due to the preponderance of GF foods on the market. We have a friend with celiac disease who won’t change her way of eating because, frankly, she’s just lazy and can’t be bothered to learn. Consequently she suffers for it.

You are right about the higher end restaurants...they have more GF options and real food and are more open to substitutions. I don’t trust the GF options at chain restaurants and certainly not at fast food places. I would love to see chain restaurants and fast food eateries disappear off the face of this planet and have more small, independent restaurants open in neighborhoods....just the way it was when I was growing up and before the fast food explosion.

However, it is challenging to dine out when you have certain food allergies or a condition like Celiac Disease. I’m guessing you are a lot healthier after 10 years....kudos. I’m going to a so called Italian chain restaurant with my gym class next week because that’s what was decided. I’ve been looking at the menu for 2 days...the caloric and nutritional facts....and can’t come up with anything except a salad. I don’t have any food allergies but one lunch there has more sodium, sugar and trans fat than I would eat in several days...even their “lower calorie” items. The caloric content of some of the specials is what I eat in a day. It ain’t easy.

FL Mary

Hi! I have Celiac Disease, diagnosed 8 yrs ago this month. I would love to join in

Hmmm? Me too -Irish