GF flour / pantry items

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terre
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GF flour / pantry items

Post by terre »

Another post led me to post a new topic.

At the end of the post we were discussing flour, so I would like to ask what are the "safest" flours to purchase for baking?

Tex, kindly steered me away from: Sorghum, Quinoa and Millet. Gabes said some have a reaction to Tapioca.

I would appreciate any info you have to offer. Also, what are some staples you always keep on hand for your pantry?

Thanks so much,
Terre
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jlbattin
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Post by jlbattin »

Terre,

The only flours I'm using at the moment is almond flour and coconut flour. I get the almond flour at Costco and the coconut flour at Sam's. I make those muffins that are here: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16412 (I believe Gabes had already given you this link.) I use half coconut flour and half almond flour and I like the banana and zucchini ones the best. I didn't especially care for the carrot ones. That recipe makes about a dozen and I freeze them and pull them out to travel with as they make a great snack when traveling.

I didn't add the apple or raisins or dates or nuts. I used Energee egg replacement, and added no sugar or honey. I found they were sweet enough without it. I only used 2 cups of flour (1 of each) also.
Jari


Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
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tex
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Post by tex »

Terre,

In addition to the flours that Jari mentioned (which are very popular here), rice flour is safe, and so is potato flour. There are surely others that I can't think of at the moment. And note that there is a difference between starches and flours, though they can be used in the same way. Some people like arrowroot starch for example, especially for purposes such as making gravy and other thickening chores. I use corn starch for frying fish. It works great in refined coconut oil.

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.
terre
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Post by terre »

Wow, thanks Jari and Tex....what great information. I've learned so much this week, so my new journey begins!

I tried the eating plan after getting diagnosed and tested by EnteroLab, but after seeing no improvement, begin slacking and depending on Imodium. I still stayed away from "glaring" food, but then around the holidays, I said "Heck with it." Well, you know how that turned out. So that's why I say "new" journey.

I'm trying Welchol, but having side effects and it doesn't seem to be helping, but will give it a little longer. My next step if I can't handle this will be probably be Cholestyramine (Questran). If that doesn't help, then it will need to be Budesonide. I haven't seen "norman" since 2013...it was like a switch went off...one day normal and the next never to be seen again.

Thanks for being so kind and helpful.

Terre
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Post by terre »

I know an acquaintance (in her 70's) that has MC and goes into remission at the drop of a hat with medication and sticks to no eating plan. After being diagnosed and going into remission, she went for a long while before having anymore trouble, but when it came back, she went on meds and shortly was in remission again. She has never had to take meds for any length of time.

I have a sister-in-law (in her 50's) with MC and she uses Budesonide as she waxes and wanes, but sticks to no eating plan. She adjusts her own meds and goes on about her daily life.

I guess we all deal with this in different ways and each have to find our own path. I am adverse to taking meds, since I already take them for Fibromyalgia, but it appears that I'm not going to get where I need to be without some help....just don't know which "help" it will be.

Thanks for listening,
Terre
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Post by Chemgirl »

jlbattin wrote:Terre,

The only flours I'm using at the moment is almond flour and coconut flour. I get the almond flour at Costco and the coconut flour at Sam's. I make those muffins that are here: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16412 (I believe Gabes had already given you this link.) I use half coconut flour and half almond flour and I like the banana and zucchini ones the best. I didn't especially care for the carrot ones. That recipe makes about a dozen and I freeze them and pull them out to travel with as they make a great snack when traveling.

I didn't add the apple or raisins or dates or nuts. I used Energee egg replacement, and added no sugar or honey. I found they were sweet enough without it. I only used 2 cups of flour (1 of each) also.
I do the exact same! I love Costco. The almond flour is expensive, but at least the bag is a decent size.
terre
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Post by terre »

I don't have a Costco, but do have Sam's. I've got to go to the grocery today, so my mission is to get these two flours for my pantry and also to try these muffins.

Thanks,
Terre
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tex
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Post by tex »

Terre,

Some MC patients are lucky in that they can go into spontaneous remission, and some are much more responsive to medications than others. But the problem with stopping the use of budesonide and then restarting it again later, is that research shows that over time, the medication becomes less effective with each cycle. Eventually it becomes ineffective and will not resolve the symptoms.

The good news about controlling MC symptoms by making diet changes to stop the inflammation is that most members here find that their other AI issues tend to become less of a problem after their digestive system heals. Many find that certain AI issues disappear completely after the diet changes begin to take effect.

Good luck with your treatment program.

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.
terre
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Post by terre »

Thanks for the words of encouragement.....much needed.

Terre
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Terre
I empathise, i have been dealing with multiple health issues for the past 10 years, at their worst, I didnt work for 9 months and 12 months later I am still struggling to do more than 25 hours work a week.
healing takes alot of time for some.

re the Fibro, i had drastic improvements once i fixed magnesium deficiency, and increased Vit C and zinc (needed for nervous system). are you taking Vit D3 and magnesium? and my gut was healed

Sticking with the low inflammation eating plan is essential for me, not just for the MC but for the other health issues.
as I mentioned recently in different discussion, trigger foods dont affect my gut per say, they have big influence on my nervous system, link to the fibro and nerve system damage due to years of inflammation and key nutrient deficiencies

in line with the original conversation, I have coconut and almond flour in the fridge (keeps better for the aussie summer) and I have some of the Orgran cake mixes on hand if I need to make a cake for a special reason. As I do react to processed flours a bit, and can not have more than 2 servings in a week, I dont bake that often.

making a paleo muffin or banana bread that has small amount of flour, just to keep it together, is a much better option. stick with the coconut, almond as they tend to settle better. Like jari's suggestion, baking things as muffins, means you can freeze individually and easy to take out of the freezer if going out for the day etc.

Hang in there, you are not alone in this weird MC world journey!!
having an eating plan that is 'high maintenance' - having to source rare ingredients, lots of mental energy to plan and figure this stuff out. If items like coconut flour etc are not available locally, order them online an get them delivered. generally it is not that much more expensive and worth any extra outlay to get it delivered to your door.
Gabes Ryan

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Post by brandy »

Hi Terre,

I do better without the alternative flours, i.e. if I eat more paleo but at present I have the following alternative flours in my fridge freezer:

Pecan meal, 3 bags in freezer, in the US really cheap right now. About $5.00 for almost a pound at Publix in produce section. I'll use this throughout the year here and there and have used this in the paleo muffins in Dee's kitchen. This is a really good price as it is pecan season in the south US.

1/2 bag almond flour (also use in paleo muffins)

1 bag arrowroot--good for making gravy paleo

1 box GF king arthur Multi purpose flour (for pie crust) See king arthur website,

Smidge of the following flours: coconut, tapioca and potato starch

The reality is I rarely use the above but when you want to buy it it can be tough to find locally, i.e. in and out situation at the grocery.

I've tried to make pie crust with the nut flours (paleo) but these were EPIC FAILS. Even the boyfriend commented as such. The king arthur multi purpose flour GF and the recipe on Dees website for pie crust all produce good results. I like to make pies around the holidays.

Brandy
terre
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Post by terre »

Gabes,

I so appreciate you sharing and at the same time so sad that you have multiple health issues. You asked if I was taking Vit D3 & Mag.....I just upped my D3 to 5,000 capsule and 400 in Calcium supplement. Can you get too much D3....may need to back down. As far as Mag, I can't take orally, but I have Mag gel that I have been rubbing on soles of feet due to muscle cramps from Welchol. I have no idea how much I'm getting....how would you know if it is topical?

Regarding Welchol, I feel the need to discontinue. I have been having muscle cramps, back/hip pain (far more than normal), vivid nightmares....and I think it makes me foggy (or may be Fibro) and my vision seems a little blurry.

A friend (who went into remission with Cholestyramine), gave me several packets of the regular (not lite) powder and I am tempted to give it a try. I read somewhere that one side effect was memory loss.....my mother had Alzheimer's and after traveling that road with her, I am leery of any med that lists that as side effect!

Thanks for the info on the flours.....I am not much of a cook and I don't enjoy it (wish I did)....but it looks like that is what I've got to do.

Thanks again,
Terre
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Post by terre »

Brandy,

I'm jealous (in a good way) that is seems you enjoy cooking and seem to be very knowledgeable....gravy, pie crusts....awesome!

I do appreciate your input on the flours that you have success with.

Thanks,
Terre
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tex
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Post by tex »

Terre,

Yes, it's possible to take too much vitamin D supplement, but you would have to take about 5 to 10 times as much as you are taking before you might run into trouble, and it would take a few months, even at the high rate. According to the Vitamin D Council, the average human uses approximately 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day.

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 Gabes-Apg »

with the topical mag, quite a lot of the sprays/lotions provide dosage information on the bottle x sprays = ymg of elemental magnesium.

(the one I buy here in Aus has x ml = y mg of elemental magnesium and I have figured out that 8 sprays matches that dose)

as you are supplementing with calcium, it is very important to supplement (even if it is topically) with Magnesium. As the body uses lots of magnesium to process and absorb the calcium.

what type of magnesium did you try orally? there are 6-8 different forms of magnesium. this has been widely discussed here.
There are only a couple of magnesium types that MC'ers can tolerate in low doses orally.

in saying that, it is possible to get adequate dosage via the spray/lotion.
Gabes Ryan

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