Gluten-free diet - support and tips

We have Debbie and Andrew GF sausages from Tesco. £3 per pack.

Our kitchen is more or less gluten free now. DH says he's happy to support me as he was concerned about my symptoms. That's sweet of him but I suspect he's noticing some benefits as well but won't admit it.

He does insist on Heinz tomato ketchup though

Those are the ones I have too Merlot - they are very nice sausages in there own right if you know what I mean.

There is no wheat in the Heinz tomato ketchup so I am OK with that. It does have celery which is a 'be careful' ingredient but I don't think I have enough ketchup to worry about it and ... the proof of the pudding is I am OK.

I do still have flare-ups and usually just don't know why (or I could do something about it ) but they are much rarer and much, much less debilitating so I shall stick with it.

Thanks kitty

merlot just read your post - I've been busy today. Yes! That's exactly why I haven't bothered being diagnosed. I also read that it takes your gut anything up to two years to recover so I am not about to ruin any good done so far. If I do eat gluten by accident it reacts immediately and so it does need care.

My daughter had a intolerance blood test as she suffers severe migraine - she found she was gluten and lactose intolerance and has been off it for a few months now and her migraines whilst not completely gone are certainly less frequent and not so intense. So that is good. She thinks the rest is hormonal and stress (huge pressure at work)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjCKTnzXX7s

If anyone hasn't already seen the Caroline Quentin video, it's very revealing. There's a follow up one as well.

I don't think I could cope with the symptoms for six weeks just to get a diagnosis.

I'm really reluctant to undo the good I've done so I'm not being tested either.

I eat tomato sauce but really miss brown sauce with bacon and or chips.we are having gf fish and chips tonight. Quite a few chip shops round here do one night a week of gf now - a rare treat!

I'm afraid I couldn't do what Caroline Quentin did Merlot but the second video worried me more. I have emailed it to my DiL who did, as she said "the plant geeks degree" and now works with plant geeks. She is very green - make her own washing powder type of green so I want to know what she makes of it. I find it very believable from our family history but will be interested to hear what she says.

Thanks Kitty, I too will be off to Sainsbury's. I'm following the low fodmap diet for IBS and it has improved my life immeasurably. Fortunately I can tolerate lactose but during the initial exclusion period I found Arla lactose free milk a godsend. I don't like Soya milk and anyway one has to be careful as some forms of soya milk are high in Fodmaps. If you want to check this the Monash University website on Fodmaps is brilliant and I use their app as it tells me exactly what I can eat and the portion size.

I've had no luck finding the GF bread in Sainsbury's. It's not being trialled in Truro or Swindon Bridgemead. Where have you got yours,Kittylester?

Not much help Cornishgirl, I'm afraid, I'm in Leicestershire.

Apparently Helston stock it.

Thank you

A link to the list of Sainsbury Stores stocking the bread. Sorry it has taken so long.

help.sainsburys.co.uk/help/products/gluten-free-bread

Oh good. Our Sainsburys is on the list.

Thanks, kitty.

This thread has been really interesting and helpful.

Do you think it might be a good idea to start a thread for support for those on a GF diet - like the low carb one? It would be useful to swap recipes and product info.

Maybe HQ would let you give this thread a new title, kitty?

What do you think?

I did try to start one a while ago Merlot but it disappeared. I agree one would be useful but maybe it's only me and thee!!

Me,as well

And me!

Me too .

Thanks, HQ for changing the name of the thread.

Recipes for some gluten free bread that actually tastes like bread are very welcome on here. Please share if you have any.

www.artofglutenfreebaking.com/2010/04/soft-sandwich-bread-gluten-free/

This is my favourite so far. It has a lovely soft texture. I make the dough in the breadmaker but bake it in the oven. The dough is much sloppier than ordinary bread dough so I spoon it into the tin rather than give it another kneading - which it doesn't need.

Thanks merlot, for the recipe and the thread!!

I have a confession. Doing the ironing yesterday I was looking at some loquerice all sorts which I adore, on a shelf to be given away as I can't eat them and DH doesn't like them - they were a present. I had 1 -have had a dodgy stomach ever since. Serves me right I'm afraid.

Oh dear, WW! Maltezers are where I come unstuck!!

Had a lovely surprise last week. The Wyevale Garden Centre in Hay Lane,Swindon,had a comprehensive and separate gluten free menu. Was spoilt for choice! Had a look on the main website but can't see if it's available in all their restaurants.