To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

This forum contains recipes and information on special cooking techniques that are beneficial to anyone trying to control the symptoms of gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, or any other inflammatory bowel disease. All of the recipes listed here are free of gluten, dairy products, and soy. Many are also free of eggs, yeast, and/or corn.

Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

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tex
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Post by tex »

Yep, this is a very popular forum.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Matron in Distress
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Vegetarian and Gluten Free

Post by Matron in Distress »

Hi,
I have been a vegetarian for most of my adult life (I am 60). I was diagnosed with MC in 2005 and took Asacol and Entocort. In 2009 after my divorce I had remission and remained drug free for 4 years. Now I have a flare up and don't want to go back to drugs. I have been experimenting with a gluten free diet for a month now and I feel much better most of the time, but I am making mistakes. I had a good friend with celiac disease so I thought I pretty much understood the diet, but I thought oats were OK. I have been keeping a diary and after reading about oats on this site, went back and saw that oatmeal did correspond to problems. Fortunately I don't have a sweet tooth and never eat cakes, cookies or pastries, but I did use pasta and bread more than I ever realized. I used to have pizza a couple of times a month.

My biggest problem is that I travel a lot and eating away from home is a challenge. I have found that some servers are understanding and help me with menu choices. One warned me off rice pilaf, because she had checked it for another customer and there was wheat in the flavor mixture they used. I am so grateful for all the advice on this site.

In August I am going to Asia for three weeks. Does anyone have advice about airline gf meals? Any experience with Asian (Thailand and Myanmar) foods being gf? I would hope that I would be okay if I avoid noodles.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi,

Most cruise lines offer dependable, safe, and well-planned meals for passengers who have food sensitivities. Unfortunately though, most airlines seem to operate at the opposite extreme, with rather poor service for passengers who have food sensitivities. Typical gluten-free options on most flights include salads, fruit, and/or dairy products, none of which are good choices for most of us, especially while we are still in the recovery stage.

As a result, most members here who book flights usually take their own food and/or snacks to be eaten on the plane. Of course, that has to be done properly, in order to get through security checkpoints at various airports. You might find some of the threads in the forum at the following link to be helpful:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=62

You would probably receive more helpful responses to your specific questions if you post your questions on the Main Message Board, because most members only look in this forum to find recipes.

We have one member who originally hails from England, but mostly works in Hong Kong. I believe he is having a new condominium built in Thailand, and he travels extensively in that part of the world. Unfortunately he hasn't posted lately, because like many of us, he tends to get busy, but I'm sure he would respond to a personal message (PM) or an email and he would be more than happy to answer any of your questions. His username is ant.

There's a security feature built into the code of this discussion board that prevents new members from being able to see other member's contact information until after they have written at least 5 posts. That feature is inconvenient for new members, but it helps to prevent spammers from being able to register and "harvest" contact information from the members here before they can be detected and their membership removed. At any rate, after you write 2 more posts, you will be able to send PMs or emails to other members who are not currently posting, or to ask for help with issues that you don't want to post on a public forum. And you will have full access to the search function so that you can search the archives for past threads where certain topics have been discussed previously.

Incidentally, are you aware that there are 1 or 2 brands of GF pasta available based on corn flour, that many members prefer over wheat-based pasta? In general, corn-based pasta products seem to have better texture and flavor than similar products made from rice.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Gloria »

Ant, a member who visits the board periodically, lives in Hong Kong and might be able to give you some tips. BTW, Ant is a nickname for Anthony. He is from Great Britain, but presently lives in Hong Kong.

Here is a post he wrote recently: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17743

Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
cmiller
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Post by cmiller »

Dee:
Condiments- Heinz ketsup, Plochman's or French's mustard, Hellman's Mayo, Vlassic pickles, Black & Green Olives, Smucker's jellies, Bush's original baked beans, Crisco, Domino white and brown sugar, Sweet Baby Ray's b-b-q sauce, Golden Griddle pancake syrup or pure maple syrup, Classico or Barilla pasta sauce...
Let me know what I've forgotten because the list seems to be endless and I'm just getting started.

As stated above are these condiments GF/DF? I could not tell from reading the post.
cmiller
kberry1
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New to eating GF, NF, DF and soy free

Post by kberry1 »

Hi there Dee - I got my Enterolab results back, and they recommend that I go on a gluten free, dairy free, it seems I can tolerate walnuts and no soy diet. What the heck can I eat? Do you know off hand if you have any recipe that I can tolerate? Thank you in advance.
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Post by Dee »

kberry1,
All of the recipes that I have posted are Gluten, dairy and soy free. My suggestion is to start reading all food labels
when grocery shopping for your ingredients in recipes.. Hopefully, you have health food stores and Whole Foods in your area.
Dee
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tex
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Post by tex »

Dee!

It's great to see a new post by you. How in the world are you? I hope you're doing fine.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Dee »

AWWWW !! Thank You Tex for asking about me!
I am doing great!!
I will try to get on here a little more often to
help answer questions!
How are you doing??
Dee
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
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tex
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Post by tex »

It's good to hear that you're doing so well. I'm feeling fine, also. I had a stroke a little over a year ago, but I've managed to recover most of my abilities again. After the stroke, I remembered how to do most things — my muscles just weren't able to do them automatically any more. I had to relearn how to walk, drive, comb my hair, shave, eat, type, etc. It was tough for a few months, but I have to say that after a year, I've recovered pretty well so that I can do most everything I could before — I'm just slower and a little clumsier now. And I'm sure that old age doesn't have anything to do with it. LOL.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
ilsebb
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Re: To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

Post by ilsebb »

Dee wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:57 pm In recipes that I have posted using the dry herbs and seasonings, always check labels, as some are "NOT" gluten free.
I Use Tone's and McCormick but always check the labels.
Dairy Free Milk:
I personally use So Delicious Unsweetened, Original Coconut milk.I use in things like mashed potatoes, if I need to make a cream soup like, chicken, celery, or mushroom. Basically in anything that requires a dairy free alternative milk. There is also, Almond, Oat, Hemp seed, milks
Their vanilla flavor I use in things like rice puddings, on cereal, making chocolate pudding, etc..
Dairy Free Sour cream- Violife, Forager, Kite Hill
Dairy Free Cream cheese- Violife, Miyoka, Kite Hill
Dairy Free Shredded cheeses- Violife, Trader Joes, (their parmesan is the best, having the true parmesan taste)
GF Pasta: Dry Tinky'ada brown rice pasta. The key to making it similiar to normal pasta is to make sure that after the allotted boiling time, make sure you rinse it in cold water for at least 30 seconds... Then put it back into the pot that you boiled it in and turn the stove to medium and stir the pasta for a little bit to take excess moisture out of the pasta. This brand holds up well in pasta salads, macaroni salad.
There are two GF fresh pastas- Taste of Republic and Trader Joes. I have tried both and they are equally great!
If you are lucky enough to have a Trader Joes in your area, take the time to browse their dairy area. You will find many dairy free items. I personally like their bread, English muffins, bagels, and hamburg buns. Their GF/DF granola, Coconut Aminos (soy sauce).
Bread- Canyon Bakehouse, Trader Joes
Butter- Earth Balance in the red tub and their stick butter
Oils- You can use coconut, olive, canola for baking. Look for the high heat ones for frying.
The points that I'm trying to express here is for people who have made the decision to embark on the overwhelming, at first GF diet... I remember clearing my cupboards of everything that contained gluten.
Canned soups, pastas, cereals, condiments, my Pillsbury flour, bouillons, etc.. I actually sat on my kitchen floor crying my eyes out. Thinking, almost every staple that I had in my cupboards contained gluten.. I never was one to use processed foods being a scratch cook & baker, so I never had to go thru that grieving process.. You learn quickly to buy things that are on the perimeters of the grocery stores. The fruits, veggies, meats...
You will find that you will be doing more prepping if you have been used to pulling a processed food item out of the cupboard or freezer and popping it into the oven or microwave.. You will be making your own soup bases if you need, a can of cream of mushroom, celery or chicken for a caserole.. Alot of store bought sauces will be a no-no as they contain gluten, so you'll learn how to tweak and make your own.
They have come a long way when it comes to having a good selection of gluten free products, but when you add some of the other intolerances into the mix, it can be really tough.
But, try not to despair, because you have many options when it comes to the foods you can eat & we are here to help. All you have to do is yell, HELP!!!!!!!!
The recipes that I have posted are just a variety of what I make. I do pot roasts, whole roasted chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, (yes, they have GF/DF bread crumbs), stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls, spaghetti & meatballs, beef & chicken stews, a hearty vegetable beef soup, chili, chicken noodle, broccoli, asparagus, navy bean, potato...
I have rubs & marinades that I've converted. Scratch b-b-q sauce recipes.
Ending for now, you'll find that your new way of cooking using spices and herbs (fresh or dried ) trying new vegetables, is going to enhance the flavor in everything.
Adding more extracts, dried fruits, fresh fruits to baking will over ride the bland taste of the gluten free flours..
So, don't be shy!! We all were walking in your shoes, not that long ago and we're eager to lend a hand!

Can someone please clarify - do these recommendations comply with the stage one diet (as the "newbies" subject suggests)? Gabes' post suggests a much more bland and restricted diet (ex. no spices at all), and I would be really happy if I can incorporate at least some of Dee's list here. Waiting for Enterolab testing to finalize my plan, but I really would like a diet I can live with for months, or however long it takes.






Dee :chef2:
ilsebb
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Re: To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

Post by ilsebb »

Sorry, let me try that again. Somehow my message was imbedded in Dee's.

Can someone please clarify - do these recommendations comply with the stage one diet (as the "newbies" subject suggests)? Gabes' post suggests a much more bland and restricted diet (ex. no spices at all), and I would be really happy if I can incorporate at least some of Dee's list here. Waiting for Enterolab testing to finalize my plan, but I really would like a diet I can live with for months, or however long it takes.
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Re: To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

Post by Gabes-Apg »

The posts done by Dee were written and posted before I set up the guidelines to recovery.

the stage 1 eating plan is provided as a guideline as a 'reset' to lower inflammation and provide a basis to build the individuals safe eating plan.

I personally after years of healing can NOT tolerate spices, there are many in this group that can

once you have stability with your bowel motions, try some spices and see if you react.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
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tex
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Re: To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

Post by tex »

If you've got diarrhea, and you're trying to select foods for an elimination diet that will allow you to recover, follow Gabes' recommendations. Dee's recommendations and recipes are fine for most of us after we are in remission, but they're not designed to be part of any elimination diet because of the fact that we are all so different.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Re: To "Newbies" Starting the GF Diet (Updated) 2025

Post by ilsebb »

Okay, thanks for clarifying. I am waiting for my Enterolab kit to eliminate some of the guesswork, then will put together my recovery diet based on Gabes' post and the book you published, Tex.
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