I've been wanting to write this up and share it for awhile, but I wasn't sure who to share it with exactly so I figured the blog would be a good place!
As some of you know, last summer we figured out Sage cannot eat wheat flour. Boy have we learned a lot about her condition since then! The reason I wanted to share about it is because we are coming home and will be around a lot of people and there's always cookouts and things going on and I'm worried about Sage getting some food that she can't have. Also Joel has figured out he can't eat it either although he is not as sensitive as Sage is yet. It seems the longer she is off of it the more sensitive she becomes and the more foods we find out she can't have. So we have all been wheat free since December.
I wanted to let everyone know in case you want to invite us for a meal really. Not that I'm expecting that, but if you are considering it I want you to know what you're in for! Also for my family who gets together to eat all the time.
Other than wheat flour (which is in a LOT of things, I'll get to that) she also can't have banana's or oatmeal (bummer I know).
Here are things that often have wheat in them that might not be obvious:
sausage (here anyways I know it's used as a binder, I'd have to check labels there), hot dogs, lunch meat (even if labeled gluten free cross contamination is very likely, but it's not good for you anyways ;) ), I'm not sure about brats yet or venison sausage, many seasonings such as chicken boullion, any sauce/gravy mixes, soy sauce, a lot of mixed spices, any fried foods, even like french fries at a restaurant that have been fried with other foods, most candy (we don't give her candy anyways) except plain chocolate, cream of anything soup, most all cereal other than corn flakes, corn chex and rice crispies, cheese sauce, marinara sauce, play dough, rice cakes, salad dressings....basically if it's in a box she can't have it.
There is also cross contamination. Say I bring our own gluten free bread for a picnic and someone has peanut butter and jelly. If someone has dipped a knife into either one, spread it on their bread and then went for more, the crumbs in there will cause a reaction. Yes, she is THAT sensitive. Or using the same tongs to get a bun and then meat or something. Everything has to have it's own utensils. You can see why we don't have flour in our house at all.
Wheat flour is also in most ALL processed food. There are a ton of hidden names, a big one is MSG, also malt, modified food starch, cereal (as an ingredient), vegetable gum, glucose syrup, starch, wheat protein, vegetable protein.....it's a long list.
So what CAN she eat?
REAL FOOD. Grilled meat (no seasonings), chicken legs are her favorite, fish (not fried unless with corn starch or rice flour), fruit and veggies (she only eats them uncooked so that makes it easy), raisins, nuts (if labeled gluten free), rice flour, corn flour, eggs (not in a restaurant though, they add flour batter to fluff them). Seriously just real whole food.
What happens when she gets some?
Oh boy. We ALL suffer lol. She gets stomach aches and gets constipated, but the worst part is she becomes an emotional mess. She will cry and scream for hours. She can't handle anything, you can't look at her wrong, say the wrong thing..... And it lasts for 3-5 days. I won't even take her anywhere, it's THAT bad.
I'm learning some teas and things that might help with the inflammation when she does get some, because I know it will happen. But I don't want to have to use them. The longer she's off of it the better and better she is. She turns into a sweet nice girl! But it takes about a month for it to completely wear off.
Joel doesn't react quite the same way. He doesn't throw fits anymore ;)
As far as restaurants go, we have to go somewhere with a gluten free menu, because it's obviously not good enough to just order things that aren't fried or breaded. Olive Garden has a gf menu actually and I saw one place in Menominee that does. I'm sure there are more I just haven't looked them up yet.
So now that you're completely overwhelmed and never want to invite us anywhere again.... No I'm joking, but really I understand if it's too much! There's also the option of me bringing our own food. We want to hang out with everyone I just don't want to have to explain this over and over, especially with the long list. Or you can ask me for ideas if you're up for the challenge. Everyone has gf things in their house that I can work with, I've been doing it for awhile now :)
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