Gluten-free diet - support and tips

I buy frozen margarita pizzas (Schar or own brand) and top them up with bacon, mushrooms and extra cheese. I find the base is thinner and more palatable than the plain pizza bases. Mr C likes them too, which is a bonus.

I will have to investigate the pizzas, Cari I think I'll be wise to have a stock of quick and easy meals in my freezer in case DD is working away.

Obviously learning to cook for himself will be the answer and not just ham egg and chips which is his party piece.

I can't wait to see the expression on his older brother's face when he comes home from Uni and realises he's stumbled into a gluten free zone.

Luckily they live next door, kitty so I'll be able to help them out with some home-cooked things for the freezer. DD works long hours and often at weekends so he's definitely going to need support. Quite honestly I've been concerned at the amount of junk food he's been shovelling down lately but I'm not one for poking my nose in. They'll have to change their eating habits now.

DD is a good cook when she puts her mind to it.

That's really good news (sort of!!) Merlot and it's great that there are so many gf alternatives available now. A burden for him and his family of course at least until rhey get to grips with it but you will be a huge help.

What a turn up!!

Upthread I posted about DGS3 spending a few days having gluten free meals with us and his spots clearing up.

This morning he was diagnosed with Coeliac's Disease!!

He's been unwell for months and often been so poorly he's had to have time off college. He was put on folic acid and iron and lectured about eating healthily (all those pizzas haven't been helping) but he's been steadily getting worse.

I mentioned coeliac's to DD but there was nothing they could do until the blood test results came through. He still has to have an endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis so he can't eliminate gluten just yet so fingers crossed for a prompt appointment because he is really low at the moment.

Part of me is not a bit surprised given his symptoms but I did manage not to say something along the lines of, 'I told you so'

We grannies have to button it.....even when we're right

Yes but I'm ok really there are others much worse off than me.

Well let this be a warning to anyone tempted to go off piste as I did about 10 days or so ago. I had a licourice allsort. First week stomach went into spasm mode with pain and not going to the loo. That got better and now this week it's been mouth ulcers and a feeling of flu like symptoms. Achy sweaty feeling now going but still left with mouth ulcers. I haven't had these symptoms since being on strict gluten free diet.

So Don't Be Tempted!!!!!!!!

Poor you, *rascal, they do get boring don't they!

Oh bother I have Coeliac but can't have lactose or yeast either I do miss bread and rolls. I have gluten free crackers but I get fed up with them sometimes.

That looks so good Merlot

Thought you might like to see a pic of the gluten free sandwich loaf from the recipe upthread.

I only use two tablespoons of sugar though, not four
which works out about right for the amount of yeast (two sachets)

It's so delicious I have to remind myself I'm low-carbing.

Meant to say that Sainsbury own brand sausages are the ones we like. Our butcher always has some of his own gf sausages in the freezer too.

It baffles me why wheat is on most frozen chips and I always ask in restaurants.

My friend and I often have a breadless sandwich and chips for lunch, which often means ham, tuna mayo or prawns which often comes with a salad too.

I had a prawn gf sandwich from M&S the other day which was fairly palatable.

I am also experimenting with freezing the Sainsbury's bread. The rolls turned out ok.

Can't remember whether I have mentioned the Schar frozen rolls or not. They are quite a good standby.

I agree with you ggmk2, there's so much added to food and surely it must all have an impact. I remember talking to a baker at a farmers market and asking about gf bread. He suggested I try one of his breads made with what he called 'old fashioned wheat' and no additives. I did, just a small piece, it was lovely and no ill effects. Mr C scoffed the rest. Guess what, I went back the next week, he wasn't there, he had retired. . Havent dared experiment since but it did make me wonder about what is added and what changes have occurred to the wheat itself over time.

Our Sainsbury do stock the GF bread in the 'real bread' section. So far an empty space on the shelf! On asking the baker I was told they are allocated very little and it sells immediately. I will persevere and feel an email coming on!

Thinking sausages, Waitrose sell fab chipolatas, everyone loves them, even fussy overnight guests who tell me they dislike all GF products. What the eye doesn't see . I take my own food when we visit them after a disastrous meal with pasta. I say no more. .

How do the rest of you cope for a snack lunch when out? Many places don't offer a GF sandwich and if they do it's horrid. I'm tired of jacket potato and buying fruit while the rest of the family tuck into a very nice baguette. There is usually GF cake which in fairness is generally lovely, but not even I can just eat cake!

I think there are lots of questions to be asked about wheat - which your home will be free from Merlot - and how we have changed it from the original. I also think we push it into a lot of food where the original receipt would not have called for it, as a cheap thickener and bulk, so it could well be overloading systems that could otherwise cope.

How lovely that his skin is clearing - it's a rotten bit of being a teenager.

DGS3 has been spending quite a lot of time with us this week as it's half term and although he's 16 he still likes a bit of granny tlc.

I warned him he was entering a gluten free zone but there have been no complaints about the cuisine. He's been suffering a bit with teenage spots lately but when I drove him into town today he remarked that they have nearly gone.

It makes you wonder

Well this is the third day since I ate a liquorice allsort and my stomach is still not right. Shan't do that again - ever!!!!

I like Waitrose's fresh rice noodles,I keep Amoy gluten free noodles in the store cupboard. I use GF for everyone...it's easier than decifering which is GF and which is not when serving up!

I went for lunch last week to Notcutts Garden centre with a friend who needed a gluten free meal. They provided a separate menu for her with plenty of choice.

Our local garden centre always has at least one gluten free meal and when I said I thought I would have the roast pork but could they check if the gravy was gluten free - it was. Even better they left the stuffing off so lovely thoughtful people.

Another café (far to nice!) even had the most gorgeous gluten and milk free drizzle sort of cake which was gorgeous. I do think they are all giving a really good service.

On the other hand the cafes in supermarkets - which you often need rather than want to use - don't seem to go for complete meals although they all have ingredients booklets under the counter.

Well went to Wyevale today. Well they had a gluten free menu but everything was off except ham egg and chips which was of course on the main menu!! I declined

I think Barenaked Noodles are gluten free, kitty. Tesco and Sainsbury's do them as well but I can't remember the brand.

Anyone know of gluten free noodles?