Idea for the Diet Treatment section!!!

[Lucy]

Hi there,
Just had a flash -- how would you like to contribute to a thread over in the treatment section to list all the gluten-free and other-free foods that you find at Walmart as you find them?

Also, perhaps some of you might start still another thread for other non-specialty stores under the name of that store, and list things there as you find them with the common allergens that they HAVE, and that they are FREE of.

Remember, as of 2006, the major ones are supposed to be listed on the label by their common name, or at least as soon as that batch of labels is used up after Jan 1.

I just made a post here to mention the good taste of the Mission brand corn chips I found at Walmart in a big, brown sack -- fresh and delicious!

Didn't have time to canvass the entire store, but did notice that they are carrying a few canned tomato items by Glen Muir. These canned goods unfortunately contain citric acid which is made from corn, isn't it, for those of you in the know about Glen Muir If you're not corn sensitive, you'd like them.

Unfortunately, didn't see their ketchup where the other brands were, so presume they're not yet carrying it. It doesn't contain either gluten OR citric acid (corn), but I would eat it regardless because it tastes soooo much better to me than the more common brands. Perhaps if we all ask, they'll start sending the ketchup on the same trucks that bring the canned tomatoes to Walmart.

For those of you who are soy sensitive in addition to being gluten sensitive, Progresso is the only brand that makes a soy free, gf mushroom soup, but as someone mentioned earlier, it's not shipped west of the Mississippi that we know of. If someone has seen their mushroom soup to the west of the river, please post WHERE here, ok.

Anyway, since the trucks bring so MANY other soups of the Progresso brand, perhaps if enough of us put in a request to our nearby Walmart, and even other regular stores, we could change all this. Anyone reading this could do that, and it would help so many who can't tolerate soy, and believe me there are MANY!

As someone's already mentioned, a can of Progresso in a recipe that calls for a can of cream of mushroom amounts to only about 3/4's of a can of regular, so that you can adjust accordingly, but then, I've never tried this as we can't get it here yet, apparently.

Don't think it would make that much difference in say, a green bean casserole. 'Course we'd do ours with a substitute for those usual chips that are made from wheat or another recipe.

Perhaps someone would like to post a safe one over in the recipe section?
Any of you in the east ever tried Progresso mushroom stuff in a recipe, and if so, how'd it work out?

Not sure about this one, but thought I MAY have seen some of the ok carton soups at Walmart, but I know that they are becoming quite common at other regular stores these days.

While I'm at Walmart, I try to pick up the Celestial Seasonings decaff green tea with mint. Since Whole Foods also carries it, I suspect that the solvent used to remove the caffeine may be safer. Anyone heard anything about that?

Also, they carry a large selection of McCormick's Seasonings, and many of them are safe. Adams is another brand that can be very helpful. I've been using their Italian seasoning to "pick up" my spagetti sauce a little lately.

I brought home some veggies for stir fry that don't have any sauces or soy sauce in the package, but haven't tried that as yet.
They have a fairly large frozen veggie section, but beware of pastas, cheese, and no-no sauces already in some of those packages.

They carry Ore-Ida frozen potatoes, and I believe that at least SOME of these are gf -- that right you experts?

Also, I've seen all sorts of fish in the frozen section that would probably be ok in terms of additives, but which of their meat brands, if any, are free of injections, or at least their injections don't have the common things that people here can't ingest?

Hope I've stimulated some of you shopping experts into posting new information that will make it easier for those testing elimination or newly found gluten sensitive folks to find things more conveniently when they do their regular shopping.

Thanks for any information you can provide in the Dietary treatment section.

Yours, Luce

[artteacher]

I think that's an awesome idea . . .

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Luce,

I think this is an excellent idea. However, I need to get on my soapbox and that is the anti-Walmart soapbox. I am not directing this to you at all and please do not take affense.

All of the items mentioned can be purchased elsewhere and I know that Walmarts are accessible to most so it does make sense to list for them. I just have a real problem with a business who has recently built 3 within my county and the next and over 45 small businesses now no longer exist. It is a Ying/Yang thing. They provide more variety to people in rural or outlying areas but force the little guys out.

Off my soapbox now and very much endorse Muir Glen - they are the best and the citric acid in the ketchup does not hit me hard. I can no longer eat their other products with any regularity since nightshades rip me up.

Love, Maggie

[CAMary]

Luce-

I live W of the Missisippi and can find Progresso mushroom soup in several of our grocery stores....

HOWEVER it does contain soy, milk and egg.

Mary

[TXBrenda]

I can buy Progresso mushroom soup at Albertsons in Amarillo. I cannot get it at WalMart or the local grocery, United. The grocery manager at the closest WalMart to me looked up the Progresso mushroom soup on her computer. It was not available to be ordered. I called the 1-800 # for WalMart to request it be added and asked for a follow up call. Sounds like I need to make another call.

WalMart is cheaper, with United next but Albertsons is terribly expensive. I have found a Carb Monitor, Chicken Cheese Enchilada style (label says contains milk and soy ingredients) that is very good for my mexican dishes. This is available at WalMart here. Progresso is not condensed so I cut out some liquid to make up for it.

TXBrenda

[Lucy]

WAAAAH!! Probably, I've been reading too many celiac publications, and they tend to just recommend the gf stuff regardless of the other ingredients. Guess that means that mushroom soup is OUT for this pair of sisters!

Hmm, wonder how one of my other soups would taste in a green bean casserole?
Anyone ever try a different soup in a green bean casserole? Perhaps I should just INVENT my own all new holiday favorite casserole!

Know EXACTLY what you mean, Maggie. I get there maybe twice a year, but let's face it, for some people, it's a God-send to find anything free of allergens, particularly close to home, and I was also thinking that so many have thought they had to spend a lot of money to be gf, etc., that they MIGHT be encouraged to learn that they don't have to shop in specialty stores or expensive healthfood stores for everything.

Since I have limited outings to shop, I often go to a different store to look around or shop for maybe ONE thing I like at that particular store, and while there, end up buying other things I need, just because I know I won't be able to get to any other store again for a while. Sooo...as my sis says, we "spread the wealth around!"

I also like to reward service (and not getting sick on the food) by returning to a buisness, but this is especially true of restaurants -- now I'm down to about three or four relatively inexpensive places that are accommodating, but mainly, it's just two that are close by that we mostly visit, and then, usually just an average of once a week.

Now that it's "flu" season, think I'm going to keep Mom and I closer to home to eat EVERY DAY. Our friend the chef came out to see us today, and said, "I'm not going to get any closer" cause he was a sick puppy -- looked horrible! That made me almost want to say, "But you already got close to our food!"

Anyway, I just hope he was careful not to breath on it! That would make us sick right about Christmas time. The poor guy has to work cause there's no one else to fill in for him usually. We'd be just as likely to catch something at another restaurant, so home we stay. Can always take Mom out for a drive to get outside some.

Wow, I diverge alot, don't I? Hahaha!
Yours, Luce