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Readers Respond: Share Your Tips for Coping with Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet

Responses: 3

From , former About.com Guide

Updated November 22, 2009

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Starting (and sticking to) a gluten-free diet is a huge life change that requires major emotional and physical adjustments. In the article that's linked with this page, and throughout this site, I've provided tips for coping with a celiac disease diagnosis and a gluten-free diet, and now I'm hoping that you have some tips of your own to share, too.

Please remember! Suggestions from others can be helpful, but comments from readers are not double-checked for accuracy. Make sure to research any suggestions before putting them to use, and always double-check the gluten-free status of any recommended product.

Its really hard....

but not impossible. The No.1 Biggest Challenge we have found is HIDDEN GLUTEN. Really----its out there even in GF foods. Our new rule of thumb is---only buy labeled GF that have the Certified Gluten Free label. Mainstream manufacturers have a long way to go in understanding Cross Contamination----you can't safely make 'GF' foods in the same place and same line as Gluten foods. And up to 20ppm WILL make a Celiac sick----especially if that Low Gluten item is eaten daily or several times daily. The US needs to adopt Low Gluten and Gluten Free like Australia----because the Codex and the FDA guidelines will be making people sick. 1) Only use Certified GF items. 2) Call companies regularly to ask about gluten and manufacturing process. 3) Always call to report if you've had a Gluten Reaction to a GF item!!
—4berry

White Bread Recipe

Proof 1-1/3C very warm milk, 2Tbsp sugar and one packet yeast for 10 minutes after stirring well. Add to 1C white rice flour, 1C tapioca flour, 1C potato starch. Mix in 1 egg, 2Tbsp oil, 1tsp vinegar, 1tsp salt, 1Tbsp xantham. Mix very well using dough beaters on a high speed for 5 minutes or so. This is to get the air into it, very important. Pour into buttered bread pan. Rise 30-40 minutes until double in size. Brush top with melted butter, also important. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 60 minutes. Let cool in pan. If making muffins bake at 400 for 15 minutes. You're going to love this. Even my husband liked it, and he's picky.
—personalweb

I told my friends

It was very hard to tell my friends (because I am not good about sharing problems), but telling them was the best thing I could have done, because they were able to support me and encourage me. I didn't feel so alone. The ones who liked to cook actually studied up on the diet and what was allowed and what wasn't.
—Guest Nikki

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