An interesting article on gluten...

[Peggy]

http://www.mytelus.com/ncp_news/article ... ID=2733116

Wayne - maybe you can move this to the most fitting forum after it's been read?


Peg

[tex]

Thanks - that's an interesting article, and yes, I'll be happy to move it later.

The notion that a gluten free lifestyle might be a healthy choice for non-celiacs, (which, of course, is the main point of the article), is certainly an interesting concept, (and contrary, of course, to what the medical profession has been advocating for decades). In all honesty, though, I think it would be pretty tough for me to make that selection voluntarily, if I weren't actually gluten sensitive.

The plea by the nursing professor, invoking potential celiacs not to indulge in self-diagnosis, is kind of sad, in a way. While everything she said is quite correct, I'm still not convinced that self-diagnosis is the worst thing one can do, when the doctors can't figure out the problem, after a reasonable amount of time. Realistically, it shouldn't take more than a few months to diagnose gluten sensitivity. It's absolutely ludicrous to even suggest that a patient should calmly stand by, for as long as ten years, while her or his doctor fumbles around, trying to verify a diagnosis, for a condition with symptoms as obvious as gluten sensitivity.

Thanks,
Tex

[kate_ce1995]

As a self-diagnosed gluten sensitive individual, what benefit does one get by having a celiac diagnosis?

My other comment is that it's not that much more expensive (or doesn't have to be). I find that there are a lot of foods out there that are okay, and yes, my loaf of bread costs a lot more than a regular loaf, but I also no longer eat as many sandwiches as a I used to. I think what I've found is that my palate has adapted for foods I can eat, rather than trying to substitute.

Katy

[tex]

As another self-diagnosed GS individual, I'd have to say that as long as you're self-sufficient, and controlling your symptoms by diet alone, it probably doesn't matter. If you're using meds, though, or you're in the military, or an institution of some type, you might need that official diagnosis in order to get a special diet, or meds.

That said, when I was in the hospital, and the time came to start eating again, after my surgery, no one ever questioned my claim that I couldn't have any gluten, casein, corn, soy, or any of their derivatives. To be honest, I was kind of surprised that no one challenged me on that, but if they had, I was prepared to argue with them, and if worse came to worse, I would have refused to eat anything they brought that looked suspicious. As it turned out, though, they were extremely accommodating, and let me select my own meals, so everything went smoothly.

I agree about the bread and substitutes for other things. For a few years, I tried GF breads and mixes, and finally found some pretty good ones, but I notice that these days, I no longer eat bread of any kind. Once in a while I'll make a wraparound, using a tortilla, (I can eat corn, now), but bread, cakes, pies, cookies, pasta, and all that stuff, is no longer on my radar.

Tex

[thedell19]

What is your normal diet then Tex? Take put the cookies, muffins, pastas then you are basically down to meats and fish, veggies, fruits, potato, rice... anything else?

[thedell19]

10 years to get dx'd correctly? Absolutely stu-pid-ity. How can you see your patient suffering for so long with those symptoms and not just guess gluten after oh about 3 of those 10 years?

My grandmother who is a nurse is the first one who said i should cut out gluten and i did for 4 days and started to feel a bit better (actually I had my first semi formed BM in years- a little pepto might have helped but I find that when I take pepto when having D it doesnt help at all- only imodium helps.

Then my GI said well in order to test for gluten you have to keep eating it... well then I went back down the downward spiral for another 1.5 years.

[tex]

Andrew,

You left out eggs, but you've pretty well summed up my basic diet. However, since I'm no longer casein nor corn intolerant, I do occasionally defile my health by eating a candy bar, such as Snickers, or Hershey with Almonds, and I sometimes eat popcorn, or tortilla chips. If I need to make a wraparound, I use a corn tortilla, and once in a while, I even indulge in the depraved act of eating ice cream, though I try to do it when I'm working hard enough to burn off the extra calories.

Incidentally, it sounds like your grandmother knows more about the practical side of detecting and treating gluten intolerance, than your GI doc. LOL.

Tex

[Peggy]

Andrew,

Incidentally, it sounds like your grandmother knows more about the practical side of detecting and treating gluten intolerance, than your GI doc. LOL.

Tex

What a surprize!!!

I knew this might be an interesting article. Glad I didn't write the dang thang.....

[harvest_table]

What is your normal diet then Tex? Take put the cookies, muffins, pastas then you are basically down to meats and fish, veggies, fruits, potato, rice... anything else?

Not Tex, but this is my normal diet minus the cookies, muffins, pastas and such and for me, it is a perfect diet.

Try, real foods that are not processed between harvest to your plate.

Meats, fish, poultry, and fresh vegetables and fruits are great.

Here's a challenge, try giving up processed foods, sugars and soy products are in all of them. It's hard, I did it and feel so much better.

Joanna

[MaggieRedwings]

Pretty much sums up my diet too but also have eliminated rice and do not eat meat - some fish each day though. Found that rarely do I do the breads, etc. and have not had pasta in over 6 months.

Love, Maggie