Question and Answers - Page 12

Q. Dear Roberta,

I am new to the Gluten Free diet and have been doing a lot of research. I have seen diet cola, the drug Lipitor, and canned chicken broth on both the avoid list and the OK list. Are they ok to consume?
I'm also having trouble finding a gluten-free beef bouillion.

Can you help me out?

A. According to their website Lipitor does not contain any substances that would contain gluten. That being said, if they haven't specifically tested it for gluten content they wouldn't want to say it is definitively gluten free. The same goes for a good beef bouillon I use personally that is called "Better Than Bouillon" (go to www.superiortouch.com/btb.htm to learn more about it). I am able to purchase this product (which is a paste consistency and has to be refrigerated after opening) in my local grocery store. It does not contain gluten containing products but doesn't proclaim it is "gluten free".

There is a product called Shelton's Chicken Broth that is canned and gluten free. They may also make a beef version but I'm not sure of that. Their products aren't usually found in mainstream grocery stores but can be purchased at some health food stores and through the internet from stores such as www.glutenfree.com

Diet Coke made in the United States gets its caramel color from corn and therefore is gluten free. If it is a generic or unknown brand of cola you would probably want to check with the manufacturer to be sure it is also free of gluten.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

My doctor told me 2 days ago I am borderline Gluten and Lactose intolerant.

I did not have a lot of time to ask too many questions but I would like to know, does this mean I have celiac disease and need to stay away from all gluten foods?

A. Gluten intolerant does not mean the same thing as celiac disease, but it does mean you should stay away from gluten containing foods.

I'm not sure what "borderline" means–it may mean your bloodwork showed slightly elevated antibodies, but you would have to check with your doctor to make sure.

As far as lactose intolerant, you should be avoiding lactose or using something like Lactaid which contains lactase, the enzyme that breaks up lactose (milk sugar) so it can be more easily digested by someone who is lactose intolerant. There are some excellent lactose free products like lactose free ice cream and cottage cheese, but you would have to check the label and/or call the manufacturer to be sure they are also gluten free.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have suffered with bloating and pain in my left side for years and the bloating is really getting me down. I think it is happening with bread and rice but couldn't be 100% sure.

I have been feeling ill lately and had blood test done and the doctor has said I have low sugar hypoglocemia.

Would the doctor not of known if I need a gluten free diet from these results and the history I have had with bloating?

Or maybe I don't need the diet but something is making me bloat and people have mentioned that maybe certain foods are making me bloat.

I'm always constipated and take laxatives maybe 5 nights a week.

Please have you any advice?

Thanks

A. If you go ahead and go on a gluten free diet without a diagnosis you will never know if you have celiac disease.

Nevertheless, there are people who choose to do this because they feel better avoiding gluten. It is up to you to decide but I always recommend getting tested. That way down the line, if the diet is becoming difficult you can tell yourself it is worth it because you know it is necessary.

That being said, there can be a number of reasons for bloating other than celiac disease. Anyone who is taking laxatives as much as you are (without a doctors prescription) should be checked out for any and all causes of their constipation.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

Benefiber recently changed the ingredient to 'Wheat Dextrin'… yet they indicate on the container that it is gluten free.

I always thought that "anything" to do with wheat contained gluten. Are they correct that the product is totally gluten free?

A. Apparently the company is claiming there are undetectable amounts of gluten in Benefiber. They can say it is gluten free because right now there are no legal standards for that term. I recommend another similar product called 'Fibersure', which is 100% inulin and does not contain gluten.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

What spices are safe to use for celiac disease? Seasonings to make things more enjoyable?

Thanks

A. Pure herbs and spices are gluten free, but "seasonings" like taco seasoning mix, etc may have gluten. Check the label and if it says "starch", "dextrin", or "modified food starch" without qualifying where the starch came from you should either call the manufacturer to confirm whether it contains gluten or not or avoid it.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

If a product contains less than 2 percent gluten is it safe to consume?

A. It has not been definitively determined how much gluten is too much for someone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. For that reason we are told to completely avoid gluten.

Researchers are working on finding a way to determine if a very small amount of gluten doesn't have any effect on the intestinal villi and is therefore ok to have, but that day hasn't come yet.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have a problem with eating a lot of vegetables.

They cause lots of gas and thin out my blood so much that getting bleeding stopped even from a finger prick for my diet-controlled diabetes testing can be problematic, not to mention the old "not enough blood" when testing as it is just too thin.

The solution has always been to eat more meat/protein than generally recommended to keep my blood normal.

I had a heller myotomy with dor fundoplication a few months back so I have some difficulties swallowing certain foods (salads especially) as well as pills etc as there is no motility in the esophagus and the opening into the stomach is minimal.

I found a milk & egg protein drink that worked to thicken my blood prior to surgery but now this gluten-free thing has messed that up as it is not gluten-free.

None of the other protein drinks I tried would go down properly (too gritty).

Milk is limited due to asthma and sensitivity to milk for which I use chewable Dairy Relief pills if needed. Mostly I drink Rice Dreams and water. Soy is not an option for me.

Apologies for the length but sure hope you have some suggestions for me.

I studied all eleven pages of your Q & A's and found some real help with adjusting to GF…thanks!

A. When you say "thin out my blood" are you talking about your blood not clotting as quickly? This is usually caused by eating too much Vitamin K containing foods (some vegetables and green tea) if you are on a blood thinning medication.

You didn't mention if you are on any anticoagulant medication or not. You also mention that eating meat/protein "keeps your blood normal" so this is suggesting you are talking about iron deficiency.

These are two different conditions.

I hesitate to give you any diet advice not knowing this information so I'm going to strongly suggest you see a doctor and be persistent until you feel you are being helped. Good luck.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I'm new to being a celiac, and I'm trying hard to decipher the ingredients in prepared food. I can't figure out what ingredient in ice cream contains gluten?

Please help a newbie!

A. I usually recommend ice creams with labels that are decipherable (ie the ingredients are milk, cream, sugar, and strawberries). Avoid "light" and "low fat" ice creams if they have additives you are unsure of. Obviously avoid some of the "no brainers" like cookie dough and cookies and cream flavor! (note…I made some awesome Cookies and Cream ice cream once by blending Bryer's Vanilla with crushed up K Toos chocolate sandwich cookies which are like gluten free Oreos!) Those of you who are struggling to lose weight ignore that previous sentence!!

Some of the flavorings or stabilizers in ice cream can contain gluten which is why I am cautioning you about this.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I am not one to reply to emails that I get.

But there is one thing that bothers me, & that is how to eat a well balanced meal?

Most dieticians deal with wheat filled diets & such, but it is hard to find out about well balanced meals using the carbohydrates, & fats or no fats, to getting as many vitamins in my food as I can.

I live in Montana, wheat country. My town is Great Falls, & we just seem to be behind all the other states.So lots of products I see online, don't even get here.

I grew up on a Montana ranch of cattle. We ate wheat, beef, & canned our own meats & vegetables & fruit. And grew our own food, including milking our own cows, & chickens for the eggs.
So learning to eat wheat-free has been hard. And I learned in my 67th year of life that I needed to be wheat free.

Thanks for letting me air my views.

A. Have you heard about Montina? It is a gluten free grain that comes from your state. You can find out more about it on the following site:

www.amazinggrains.com

Roberta

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