Gluten free diet

[crossy67]

I found out about a year ago that I have issues with wheat, I always struggled with my weight, not eating much and mostly veg as Julie (my wife) is vegetarian, I couldn't understand why I was over weight.

I went on a very strict diet in preparation for a holiday, lost quite a lot of weight and found the constant sick feeling I have suffered with for the past 18 years and had been taking medication for went away.  Since then I have discovered I am severely allergic to wheat, even a few bread crumbs round a piece of breaded ham will make me feel sick for 2-3days, if I feel the symptoms I can take my old tablets but I don;t want to spend my life on medication.  On a more positive note I have lost 2 stones in 6 months just by cutting out wheat, feel better and never sick.

There are lots of wheat free pastas, cakes and snacks that are edible but the bread is a waste of time.  Wheat free pita's are quite nice though when toasted.  I have just adjusted my diet and don't crave bread or baked type foods (although I still have to take my tablets so I can eat croissants on holiday).  I have cornflakes with soya milk, I found I have a slight issue with milk as a first meal too. 

Oh the joys of getting older eh, I can't eat wheat or milk and Julie won't eat meat.  Still, we can still share a McDonalds, she has the bun, I have the burger lol.

[Quillan]

We have had people stay with these problems over the years and my SIL (sister-in-law) can't eat any wheat products at all. Initially finding products to give people was very difficult but we have noticed that some supermarkets here in France are now stocking quite a reasonable amount of products for people with these problems although nowhere near the variety that you can get in the UK. We have now sourced a very good product from the UK which we keep 'in stock' for making bread and my SIL tells me that its the first time she has been able to have toast which actually tastes like, and has the texture of, real toast. Strange stuff to use as its very fluid and must be made by hand and cooked in an oven (not a bread maker) but it is OK. Wheat free paster is pretty good so when she visits we can do a pasta dish and we cook it for everyone and nobody notices the diference. That coupled with soya products etc does mean we can cater for (and have) just about any special dietary requirement.

[crossy67]

Mrs Crimbles macaroons and bakewell slices are to die for and don't cause any problems at all.

[JohnM]

I am friends with a family where Dad and both sons have this problem.

They have learned that Casino (Geant) have a gluten free counter as do the Bio Co-op. They particularly like the Madelines from Casino!

I have learned that in the UK they get a lot of their substitute products on prescription, so they do not mind taking it with them to France or when they eat out.

[crossy67]

Just got my test results back today.  Good news, I am not ceoliac (excuse the spelling), just a fussy gut I suppose lol.