Hi, I'm new here with a host of food intolerances and resulting 'conditions'.  Has anybody decided to go gluten free?  I discovered that I am gluten intolerant 2 years ago and the other conditions I have were caused by the GI.  Many ppl can be gluten intolerant and don't even know it as GI masquerades as many other conditions.  In gluten sensitive ppl, gluten damages the lining of the small intestine so that nutrients from foods are not properly absorbed.  On top of that, the damage to the SI prevents the manufacture of other necessary enzymes, such as those needed to digest fructose and deal with histamines in food.  Going gluten free gives your small intestine the chance to heal and in time the body can then deal with fructose, lactose and histamine rich foods that you can't tolerate right now.  I was in my late 50s when I realized that gluten was a big problem for me.  Unfortunately I had a lifetime of bowel damage by then so it's going to take a while to heal.  But I would never have a chance of healing at all if I did not go gluten free.  There is much medical research being done and it is known that gluten intolerance causes at least 300 symptoms.

I felt better with-in 2 days of going gluten free. People think it is hard to be g-free, but these days it is getting easier. I know some great gluten free blogs with great recipes. If your interested I can forward you the links. L-glutamine is supposed to help heal your small intestine as well as aloe vera.

Melissa

Spelt is a type of wheat... and contains just as much gluten:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spelt

The best gluten-free bread I've found is the "Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix" by Bob's Red Mill.  It has yeast and it's actually fluffy!!  I make it in two loaves and seriously eat at least one whole loaf that first day after it comes out of the oven.  It's not quite as good as french bread (of course), but it does have a chewy crust and that yeasty smell of "real" bread.  It's definitely worthwhile to bake it yourself.

Heather

One thing I forgot to mention about the bread... add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of honey!  It makes the bread more moist and a little sweet.  I've done it without the honey, but it's not quite as good.

As for snack ideas... yes

- Hummus as a dip using one or more of the following: raw carrots, red pepper slices, a good GF cracker like "Mary's Gone Crackers," etc...

- Raw vegetables dipped in ranch dressing

- Fruit (if you can tolerate it): apples, peaches, blueberries, plums... whatever is in season

- Corn chips and salsa (careful to get brands that are GF)

- Cottage cheese or a container of yogurt

- Glutino pretzels (expensive, but they are GOOD)

- Toast with mashed avocado, nut butter, jam and/or Nutella (Udi's is the best pre-made bread I've found)

- A bowl of gluten-free cereal (Rice Chex, corn flakes, etc...)

- A GF waffle (Van's is really good) with a little syrup or honey

I often turn larger portions of these foods into meals.  Scrambled eggs are also really good on GF toast or waffles.

Heather

Heather thanks so much for your suggestions!
The only problem is he really can't eat any of those things...
Highly lactose and slightly fructose intolerant
Can't do any fruits and veggies have to pretty cooked
He has started to eat oatmeal with fresh strawberries in the morning so that's an improvement
Anything orange carrots, sweet potatoes make him react
He can't do any vinegars, seasonings, soy, nuts, corn

I have made him gluten free bread sticks to have to munch on, I was going to make some basic granola today.

Thanks again!!!

He was tested by hydrogen breath test, not fun...you go in on an empty stomach and they make you drink either lactose or fructose and over a 3hr period you breath into this bag. He was off the charts lactose intolerant and just at the positive level for fructose. He's also allergic to dairy.

I don't think hes salicylite intolerant because he can take aspirin. All veggies have to be really cooked. I can't even tell you how much we miss we just being able to eat anything! We went on a mini road trip 3 days ago and it's so hard...there are no fast food places to and grab something.

I'm trying gluten free but haven't noticed an improvement and I sure miss bread and pasta