Question and Answers - Page 5

Q. Dear Roberta,

Hello, Love your site!!

Just found out I am celiac after being ill for 14 months and feel great after 3 days (diagnosed myself) but doctor thinks I am ..

Just wondered I am already feeling happy, going to the loo regular, skin feels better and hair and just feel happy.. but my biggest symptom was bloating its gone down a little but still there.

How long do you think it will take to go? I have been treated for candida as well and that keeps coming back but I am sure its coz I had celiac…should I do antifungals again ??

Thanks

A. Hi, Glad you like the website.

Sometimes celiacs can also be lactose intolerant because the intestinal villi that are damaged by celiac disease are also necessary to digest lactose. You may want to try avoiding all dairy products unless they are lactose free. Healing your villi enough to digest lactose may take about 6 months. After about 6 months on a gluten free diet try adding a small amount of lactose into your diet and see what happens.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I am interested in the recipe, Tuna Pie sent in by Deborah Walden. She mentions baking a frozen pie shell. She said the recipe called for an amount of precooked white rice and egg but doesn't give the recipe.

The recipe also call for "a whole lot of Cheese Whiz". Is Cheese Whiz Gluten-Free?

I have just started with a Gluten-Free diet and not sure about a lot of products.

This is a recipe I know our family would like so I would like to clarify these points so I can add it to my GF recipe collection.

Thanks for your help!

A. At the present time Cheese Whiz is gluten free, but because manufacturers can change formulations of products at any time it is best to always check the label (if it contains wheat in any form it must say so because it is produced in the US). This is probably a "no brainer", but make sure the frozen pie crust is gluten free too!

Maybe Deborah can give you some tips on quantities she uses in the recipe. I can understand if she doesn't measure after making it many times (fewer things to wash!) but that would help our readers like you quite a bit.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

My understanding is that oats are recently being accepted as gluten free.

Is that truly the case, and if so, are cereals like Post Alphabets which have whole oat flour in them O.K? Please let me know, thanks.

A. There are currently 3 companies in the world that have certified gluten free oats — two are:

www.creamhillestates.com
www.glutenfreeoats.com

All other oats could be contaminated with gluten and therefore should be avoided, including products like AlphaBits.

Roberta

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Q. Hi Roberta, thanks for answering my question so promptly about alphabets.

My other question is about maple syrup. I haven't found anything on it in my reading so far. Is it fine for celiacs?

A. "Maple syrup" may contain caramel coloring which may contain gluten if it does not come from the US. You may want to check with the manufacturer. "Pure" maple syrup, that only contains maple syrup, does not contain gluten.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

My three year old daughter had a very high TTG result and we were told to put her on a gluten-free diet without the biospy.

She is looking much better and has grown 4.5cm in a month, but she is still having trouble with her stools etc.

They want to do a biopsy and have booked it for 2 1/2 weeks from now. We are to put her back on gluten for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

Will her villi have repaired already resulting in a false negative, or would 3 months on a gluten-free diet still leave the intestine damaged?

A. Yes–3 months on the gluten free diet would result in repair that might give you a false negative if you didn't put her back on gluten for the 2 1/2 week period. With the biopsy still being the "gold standard" for celiac diagnosis you can be assured that a positive biopsy means she does have celiac disease and feel confident that having her avoid gluten from now on is the right decision.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I Was wondering if vinegar made from grain contains gluten?

Also, if I have something with Glucose (derived from wheat) I feel terrible,but I was told the levels of gluten are not detectable? What do you think?

So I saw you said spirit alcohol such as Scotch Bourbon and Vodka all made from gluten containing grains are ok??

How come if feel terrible if I drink them, but feel ok with Bacardi (made from sugar cane)?

Do you find a lot of celiacs have an intolerance to yeast?

You also mentioned maltodexrtin is ok, but isn’t that made from wheat? Always makes me have a reaction.

Ps I live in Australia maybe different to the US?

Thank you for taking the time to read my email

A. In the US maltodextrin will not be made from wheat unless it says "wheat maltodextrin" or "maltodextrin (wheat)". However, in other countries this might not be the case.

I would say if the food has something derived from wheat (as in the example you gave of "glucose") you would be best to avoid it if you are not sure it has been sufficiently processed to remove all the gluten. Most experts feel that vinegar has been sufficiently processed to eliminate the gluten. The same goes for distilled liquours such as whiskey and scotch.

You may have some other intolerances in addition to gluten that are causing a reaction to these products so it would be best to avoid them as well in your case.

I have not heard about celiacs having a reaction to yeast as it is a microorganism and does not in itself contain gluten. However, if the yeast was grown in a wheat containing culture it might contain miniscule amounts of gluten.

(Name), I have never been to Australia but would love to visit — particularly since you are enjoying summer while we are getting snow up here! Thanks for writing us.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have just found this web site and have been reading you questions and answers. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a little over 10 years ago. I am an RN and work in a small rural healthcare setting.

Our dietitians often call on me to assist with this diet teaching, and I will often follow-up with the clients as a support system for them.

I have had a few episodes of "chronic irritation" during this time. I think your answers are very good, but would like to suggest that you also include some information about environmental possibilities for flare-ups. From experience, I have found several items that have caused difficulty for me. And if I am in a flare-up situation, my thought process fades so I often don't think environmental.

Since I have discovered these things, I am much better controlled and seldom have any difficulties.

1. Hair and skin care products can be a problem. I read labels for all of these.
2. I have cats and dogs and must wear gloves and wash immediately after feeding them to avoid the glutens in their food.
3. Other food products that start digestion in the upper GI tract i.e. sorbitol, some high-fructose foods, etc. can give me symptoms.
4. Wall paper paste (stripping or hanging), wall plaster dust in the air, and licking envelopes or stamps give me symptoms.
5. Another offender, besides lactose, are fillers in medications and supplements. My pharmacist is very helpful.

As I live in a small community, there is no support group in the immediate area. This web-site, and your expert advice are absolutely wonderful. Thank you!

A. These are very good suggestions. Foods with sugars that do not totally digest such as sorbitol or lactose (in a lactase deficient person) can cause intestinal problems that can occur in a celiac or non celiac.

With hair and skin care products the key is knowing which can inadvertently get in your mouth and therefore to your small intestine. I think it's great that someone in a position such as yourself (an RN) has educated yourself and can therefore help people who for whatever reason cannot see a dietitian. Thank YOU!

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I just joined your on line group. I have a question for you. I'm told that Millet is safe to eat for those of us with celiac's. Is this true? I feel very sick if I eat any millet.

A. Millet is considered gluten free, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't have an allergic reaction of some sort after eating it. Since you know it causes a bad reaction in you it would make sense to avoid it from now on.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS ABOUT COSMETICS. I'VE BEEN USING CLINQUE FOR MY FACE AND ON OCCASION USING AVON EYESHADOW, LIP CONDITIONER AND LIPSTICK. IS THIS O.K. OR DO I NEED TO SWITCH TO ALL CLINQUE. I WOULD NEVER THING THAT MAKEUP WOULD HAVE GLUTEN IN IT. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT THIS. I WILL AWAIT YOU REPLY.

THANK YOU,

A. I usually don't worry about makeup but lipstick can contain gluten and since it can be ingested you are wise to be concerned. Unfortunately because manufacturers change their formulations so frequently it is best to contact the company and ask them specifically about the product you are wondering about. You can "google" avon and clinique for their contact info.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have been told essene bread is ok to eat if you are gluten free. it was suggested to me that because it was made from the sprouted grain, this somehow makes it ok and free from the gluten.

thank you for considering my question, I appreciate your time.

A. Unfortunately you were misinformed…this still contains gluten so it should be avoided if you have celiac disease.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

A question that you might be able to answer. I have a tendency with my celiac to have skin symptoms. I have learned that the IgA gets deposited in the skin and that causes the irritation.

DO you know how long it takes to normalize the skin? Do you know if along the way of healing, after starting a GFD one might experience periods of more itching (despite GFD) due to the "cleansing" process?

I just can't seem to find a lot of info. on dermatitis herpetiformis on the web or books. Just little titbits.

A. I have not read or heard that DH can get worse when gluten is first eliminated. I know when I was tested for DH the biopsy came out negative but I was found to have another condition called lichen planus (I know, it sounds like a tree disease!).

You may want to see a dermatologist to have a skin biopsy as that will definitively tell you if you have DH or not, regardless of whether you are now eating gluten.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have recently been diagnosed with Celiac Sprue (biopsy diag) and I am having a very difficult time understanding product labels. I have received four different diets (food list) from a dietitian and they have conflicting information. For instance some say you can have peanut butter and mayonnaise. And others say some PB or mayo. What is in peanut butter or mayonnaise that I have to watch for?

Also it says I can have pickles, but not vinegar which is what pickles are made with. All of this is very overwhelming for me. My insurance will not pay for me to go meet with the dietitian because I am not diabetic also. I am 55 years old and have grown children and grandchildren and do not cook much anymore for my husband and myself and now I find myself back in the kitchen.

I work full time and that is another issue I have to deal with is having to prepare a lunch for myself because I do not trust going out for fast food. I also feel like I am whining because there are much more serious illness than mine.

I have enjoyed reading your other advise and have written down a couple of things that will help me out. I have tried a couple of baking mixes so far, but they are so expensive I am afraid to mess up something using them.

Thank you for what you are doing to help others. Any information you give will be greatly appreciated.

A. Peanut Butter and mayonnaise (if it's "real mayonnaise" and not "salad dressing") are ok.

Vinegar is distilled so it is ok too (the gluten molecule is too big to remain in the product after the distilling process).

If you are looking for some "convenience foods", I will sometimes eat Lean Cuisine Glazed Chicken (the only Lean Cuisine I have found that does not contain wheat) or Progresso Split Pea with Ham soup.

Another quick idea for lunch is corn tortillas with melted cheese (in the microwave). Takes about 30 seconds!

If you go to websites where gluten free foods are sold many times they have "reviews" people have submitted after trying a particular product. I have found these help me in choosing products to buy because as you said they are expensive! Have you tried Tom Sawyer Gluten Free Flour yet? (www.tomsawyerflours.com)

Their website has some recipes using it that sound really good. I use their flour when baking but haven't yet tried making yeast bread (I've made pumpkin bread, muffins, brownies, cakes, cookies, etc).

I highly recommend the book "The Gluten Free Bible" by Jax Peters Lowell. I think it will answer many of your questions that I haven't covered here.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I was diagnosed 1/31/07 With Sjogrens Syndrome and CREST syndrome as well. Now that I know what it is, I realize I've had any (on the inside) had so serious problems for at least ten years. A year ago the problems started on the outside. They are not through with tests and will still have until end of arch before I see the specialist in Sacraento, CA. to receive help.

C=Celium syndrome = no gluten or actually a vegan diet. I see lots of what I can't eat, but could you lead me to a list of what I can eat NOW.

Are potatoes completely out other than yams? Because of my inside organs already in bad shape, I eat very little. I have been living on instant oatmeal ( I know that has to go) V-8 juice. hot water and honey. I love toast, with butter and cinnamon & sugar. ( i know that too will go.) some instant help without having to read so much would surely lift my spirits.

Sincerely xxxxx, and thanks again for contacting me so quickly.

A. Potatoes and yams are ok on a gluten free diet. A nice short resource for what you can eat is attached.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

Do you have any information on Celiacs and the absorption or reaction to corn? It seems I have one, not a serious as gluten, but strange. Thanks for your help.

A. I have heard of people with celiac disease also having an intolerance to corn, but I don't believe it is related to their celiac disease (it is a separate intolerance). It does make it difficult to adhere to the gluten free diet but it is possible to be gluten free, corn free.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

So far I am feeling fine ingesting eggs/milk. Does everyone with Celiac Sprue have a milk intolerance? Is it necessary to eliminate these products. I was diagnosed with Celiac on 25 Jan 07.

Thanks

A. Some, but not all, people with celiac disease develop a lactose intolerance because the intestinal villi that are damaged with celiac disease are responsible for producing lactase which digests lactose. If you do not have any digestive problems from milk or eggs and your physician has not advised you to avoid them for other reasons you should be fine. Sometimes using Lactaid milk (lactose free) helps people who can't tolerate lactose.

Roberta

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Q. Dear Roberta,

I have a question…
my mom was just told that she cant have any gluten, maltodextrin, distilled vinegar, wheat, any dairy products, or sugar due to her celiac.

Since she was diagnosed she's become very depressed and I was wondering if you could help me in finding any recipes that are free of all those things.

Right now all she's really eating are potatoes, she's pretty much fasting. ok well thank you so much for your time! it means a lot.

A. I'm not quite sure why you were told to avoid sugar, maltodextrin,or distilled vinegar,as they are not considered to contain gluten. Dairy products contain lactose which some celiacs have trouble digesting, but some have no problem with them. An excellent book I would recommend is "The Gluten Free Bible" by Jax Peters Lowell. It has some recipes and recommendations for cookbooks in it as well.

Roberta

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