If I’m at a doctors office and they say they’re prescribing me this certain drug, I always tell them it needs to be gluten-free. Most doctors give me a quizzical look and tell me they have no idea gluten is even in drugs! When I first realized that, it scared me! So I started doing my own research and found this awesome website that lists a lot of medications that are either 1) gluten free or 2) gluten free but not sure if a chance of CC (cross contamination).
I’ve learned that pharmacists are my best friends! They are extremely knowledgeable on many, many medications. I’m always double checking to see if it’s not only gluten free but lactose free as well. Never feel afraid to ask questions of anyone, it’s not worth getting sick just because you’re afraid to bother someone. You’ll get better at voicing your questions the more you ask them.
I hope this will be of some help to you!
And if you know of any more websites that list medications that are safe, leave me a comment below with the link!
Here’s the link:
http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/list.pdf
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Cross Contamination anyone?
I don't know about you, but it always gets my blood pressure up when someone else says they'll make me and my kids something gluten free. In my mind I think, is it worth explaining to them that if a food package says "gluten free" that doesn't mean it's safe for us to ingest? There are too many variables involved that make my head spin! Have you washed all your cooking utensils, pans and counters, most importantly your hands! Here's the kicker, even if you have washed all those, there's still a huge risk for cross contamination. Now don't get me wrong, I have been blessed with the most amazing friends who understand the seriousness of this disease and all that goes into it. I have entrusted them with this monumental task of cooking for my family, and not only was the food delicious but we didn't get glutenized. So hats off to you gals!
Back to my point, most people won't understand why we have to be so careful about what we put in our bodies, and that's okay. I usually tell them the symptoms are kind of like food poisoning, and it's not worth it for us to get sick over your gluten free pumpkin pie you made especially for us. I've had to get good at saying 'Thank you but no thank you.'
I love it when someone comes up to me and asks me why I can't have what everyone else is eating. That is how they become more informed and then when they come across another celiac they can say "I do understand why you are this way." You're welcome.
Another type of contamination I want to point out (I get a lot of peculiar looks with this one), is airborne gluten. Unfortunately a few celiacs I have come across actually get seizures from going down the bread aisle of a grocery store. I get really sick if I'm in the same room as pizza, or pie, or anything that's super full of gluten. I can't begin to tell you how many get-togethers I've gotten sick at just from being in the same house and thought afterwards that it isn't worth the threat to my health anymore. So I mostly avoid any type of food gathering now. Let people think I'm anti-social or weird! I want to live to see my kids grow up, and I want them to be healthy too!
On a side note, why do we in America make every social gathering about food?!
And another thing, the very first thing I learned about cross-contamination; throw out your plastic colander. I don't know the science behind it, but basically the gluten clings to the plastic and no matter how much you clean it, it's not going to be safe to use. So if you're still symptomatic and kept your old plastic colander, let it meet your trash can.
Back to my point, most people won't understand why we have to be so careful about what we put in our bodies, and that's okay. I usually tell them the symptoms are kind of like food poisoning, and it's not worth it for us to get sick over your gluten free pumpkin pie you made especially for us. I've had to get good at saying 'Thank you but no thank you.'
I love it when someone comes up to me and asks me why I can't have what everyone else is eating. That is how they become more informed and then when they come across another celiac they can say "I do understand why you are this way." You're welcome.
Another type of contamination I want to point out (I get a lot of peculiar looks with this one), is airborne gluten. Unfortunately a few celiacs I have come across actually get seizures from going down the bread aisle of a grocery store. I get really sick if I'm in the same room as pizza, or pie, or anything that's super full of gluten. I can't begin to tell you how many get-togethers I've gotten sick at just from being in the same house and thought afterwards that it isn't worth the threat to my health anymore. So I mostly avoid any type of food gathering now. Let people think I'm anti-social or weird! I want to live to see my kids grow up, and I want them to be healthy too!
On a side note, why do we in America make every social gathering about food?!
And another thing, the very first thing I learned about cross-contamination; throw out your plastic colander. I don't know the science behind it, but basically the gluten clings to the plastic and no matter how much you clean it, it's not going to be safe to use. So if you're still symptomatic and kept your old plastic colander, let it meet your trash can.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Funny Story
So my 3 kids are gluten intolerant, I suspect (call it a mothers intuition) that my oldest is celiac. This was our first holiday season being gluten free. We are lactose intolerant as well, we live in the Cheese State and when I first realized I couldn't have dairy, I cried. I love cheese, ask anyone who knows me. Then I did some research because I wasn't going to take this lying down! Guess what? Cheese is lactose free. I did my happy dance and all was well once again.
I have a funny story for you all. For the sake of this story you need to know my hubby can eat gluten. Around Christmas this year, we went to my hubby's family get together. I'm not going to name names so I'll just say her name is Sally. Sally came up to me and handed me some candy canes for my kids. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: Thanks! Do you know what brand they are?
Sally: *gives me a strange look* No...why?
Me: Before I can safely give them to my kids I need to be sure they're gluten free.
Sally: *looks at me like I'm crazy* They're sugar...there shouldn't be any gluten in it.
Me: *patiently trying to educate her* I wish it were that simple, but a lot of brands of candy canes have gluten in them.
Sally: *starting to back away from me* Well I don't know, have your husband taste test them.
And it was then that I was first introduced to the ignorance of people to this disease. I was so stunned by what she had said that all I could do was laugh. Do people really believe you can 'taste ' gluten? 😆🤔
I have a funny story for you all. For the sake of this story you need to know my hubby can eat gluten. Around Christmas this year, we went to my hubby's family get together. I'm not going to name names so I'll just say her name is Sally. Sally came up to me and handed me some candy canes for my kids. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: Thanks! Do you know what brand they are?
Sally: *gives me a strange look* No...why?
Me: Before I can safely give them to my kids I need to be sure they're gluten free.
Sally: *looks at me like I'm crazy* They're sugar...there shouldn't be any gluten in it.
Me: *patiently trying to educate her* I wish it were that simple, but a lot of brands of candy canes have gluten in them.
Sally: *starting to back away from me* Well I don't know, have your husband taste test them.
And it was then that I was first introduced to the ignorance of people to this disease. I was so stunned by what she had said that all I could do was laugh. Do people really believe you can 'taste ' gluten? 😆🤔
Friday, January 25, 2019
Gluten Free Apps
Have you ever been in the store looking at an item you aren't sure is gluten free? I've been there myself many times over. It can be so overwhelming and scary, especially when you're first starting down this journey of gluten free eating. I have three apps on my phone that I love to use in a pinch.
(Now as a friendly reminder this doesn't mean you can be lazy and stop reading the labels! Apps are made by people, who sometimes make mistakes.) The first app is called 'Is that Gluten Free?", it lists a ton of brands of anything you could think of and gives dates of when it was confirmed to be gluten free. It does cost around $4, but I love it if I'm eating at a friends house and need to find out if the drinks they have are safe for me.
The second app that I love even more is called 'The Gluten Free Scanner'. That's right, you read it right! You can scan items in the store and it will tell you if it's gluten free, if its gluten free and made on shared equipment, or if it's gluten. Now this one is free, however, you can buy the full version.
The last app I want to share with you is for if you're out travelling and want to find a restaurant in the area that is celiac friendly. Real people can rate it and give feedback on their experiences. It's called 'Find me Gluten Free'. I've used it multiple times and find it extremely helpful!
I hope this helps you feel less frazzled in your everyday life! Know you are not alone in this, and it will get easier as time goes by if you've been newly diagnosed.
Hang in there!
(Now as a friendly reminder this doesn't mean you can be lazy and stop reading the labels! Apps are made by people, who sometimes make mistakes.) The first app is called 'Is that Gluten Free?", it lists a ton of brands of anything you could think of and gives dates of when it was confirmed to be gluten free. It does cost around $4, but I love it if I'm eating at a friends house and need to find out if the drinks they have are safe for me.
The second app that I love even more is called 'The Gluten Free Scanner'. That's right, you read it right! You can scan items in the store and it will tell you if it's gluten free, if its gluten free and made on shared equipment, or if it's gluten. Now this one is free, however, you can buy the full version.
The last app I want to share with you is for if you're out travelling and want to find a restaurant in the area that is celiac friendly. Real people can rate it and give feedback on their experiences. It's called 'Find me Gluten Free'. I've used it multiple times and find it extremely helpful!
I hope this helps you feel less frazzled in your everyday life! Know you are not alone in this, and it will get easier as time goes by if you've been newly diagnosed.
Hang in there!
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