New Gluten Free Product: Gluten-Free Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Puffs

It came to my attention, tonight, that a new product has been introduced into stores, like Target. The Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Puffs now offer three flavors that are gluten free! They are slightly larger than regular goldfish crackers, but, from what I hear, they are very tasty. You can find them at Target, next to the regular goldfish crackers. From what I hear, the following three flavors are fairly mild, so they are safe for your Celiac child to eat as a snack, or with lunch.

These are the flavors that are Gluten Free:

• Buffalo Wing
• Mega Cheese
• Cheddar Bacon

 I must warn you, while it says Gluten Free on the back of the package, this product has NOT been certified gluten free, so there is a chance that there is some slight cross-contamination in this processed product. Be careful, and try at your own risk.

source: http://celiac-disease.com/review-gluten-free-pepperidge-farm-goldfish-puffs/

(photo courtesy of: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4AuL_kdDailD2Sr0_VCRztO9_oxVGMBT3Ebsw9-_YV2xNHmhREV2TcEruahTgf5TNGorFphCM3Wel2Iz5mEGTiXXDlMKOzpGqksE_j9k2zdbD6cykbiAcyhxEgp6Y4Hs7LJEKpT13f2S/s1600/goldfish-bags.jpg

To Eat Gluten Free Oats, or Not To Eat Gluten Free Oats?

When you're diagnosed with Celiac Disease, you are given a list of what food you cannot eat. Wheat, Barley, Rye, and Oats. However, you find that there is such a thing as gluten free oats. You wonder if it is safe for you to chance eating it. You think to yourself: "It's gluten free, so it cannot be too bad, right?" Depending on how sensitive your Celiac is, it may be bad.

While a majority of Celiacs may be able to stomach gluten free oats, and granola, there are a small percentage of us that cannot handle GF oats and granola. I fall into the sensitive category. I loved eating oatmeal, before I was diagnosed with Celiac. After I was diagnosed, I was lost. It was not until a month or two after my diagnosis, where I discovered gluten free oats. I picked some up, and started eating it every morning for breakfast. It was not until day 3 of eating GF oats, where I began to feel sick. My stomach was cramping, I was fatigued, I was nauseated. I thought I had been "glutened." I looked back in my food diary, that I was keeping at the time, and the only thing different, that I had been eating, was the GF oats. I immediately threw the GF oats out.
A few months ago, I tried seeing if I could eat GF granola. 12 hours after I had my first serving, I got sick. I experienced the same symptoms as I did when I ate the GF oatmeal. I gave the GF granola to my boyfriend, so I did not have to throw it out. I now know not to eat GF oatmeal and granola.

You may be wondering: "How do I know if I am unable to process GF oats?" The only answer I can give you is, the same way I discovered my answer: trial and error. When you have Celiac Disease, you live a risky lifestyle. The only way to measure whether or not you can handle GF oats, is to try it. The majority of Celiacs can handle it. However, if you begin to feel ill after eating them, do NOT eat them again. Throw it away, or give it to someone else. My recommendation is, try pure uncontaminated oats. If the oats have a protein called, "avenin," it may trigger an immune response, similar to the kind you have when you are "glutened." 

One alternative to GF oats in the morning, that I LOVE is Rice and Shine hot cereal. I believe it's by a company called "Arrowhead Mills." It's hot rice cereal. It takes some getting used to, but, if you add brown sugar, or some fruit, it is pretty tasty.

(photo courtesy of: http://gracefullyglutenfreedotnet.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/oats.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

Celiac Disease and Hair Loss

Celiac Disease is a life-long, inherited, autoimmune disease. When the body is exposed to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, the immune system responds in an unusual manner. Gluten is seen as a threat to the body, and the body does not absorb this protein. In fact, this leaves the body devoid of essential nutrients the body needs to function properly. This lack of nutrients, causes significant damage to the interior surface of the small intestine. This causes potentially dangerous symptoms in people who have the Celiac gene.

Celiacs also face an iron deficiency, among other vitamin deficiencies. Studies have shown that their may be a correlation between vitamin and iron deficiency, and hair loss. Iron is a key nutrient, essential for hair growth.

People with Celiac Disease, and also anemia, are recommended to take iron supplements, to help regulate iron in the body. However, I recommend talking to your doctor, before you begin taking iron. Your doctor may order a complete blood count (CBC), just to check for iron and other vitamin deficiencies. If you begin taking iron supplements, before knowing whether or not you run an iron deficit, too much iron may harm you. Definitely talk to your doctor.

Source:  http://advancedhairstyle.com/hair-loss-treatment/celiac-disease-and-hair-loss.html

(photo courtesy of: http://cf.ltkcdn.net/gluten/images/std/130835-425x282-hairlossandceliacs.jpg)

Considering Summer Camp For Your Celiac Child?

 It is that time of year! School is out for the summer, and kids will be out playing. Some kids will be venturing off to summer camp. Summer camp is an amazing rite of passage for children. They can play, learn new skills, and make life-long friends with other kids at camp. However, if your a child with Celiac Disease, it could be a stressful time, for both child and parent.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a list of summer camps that are completely gluten free. Celiacs, and non-Celiac gluten sensitive children can go to these overnight camps, without worry of cross-contamination during mealtimes. Most of these camps have multiple sessions, and the camps are spread out across the country (http://www.celiaccentral.org/kids/gluten-free-camps/list/)

If you do not live near any of these camps listed on the NFCA website, you may consider a day camp nearby. With day camps, you will be able to send your child off with a gluten free lunch. However, it is suggested that you alert the camp staff ahead of time, that your child has Celiac Disease. Sometimes, day camps hold special event days, where regular food is served. Make sure the camp knows about your child's dietary restrictions.
If you are considering an overnight camp for your child, call the camp and ask them if they provide food for those children with food allergies, and Celiac Disease. If they do, let them know about your child's Celiac Disease, that way they will have ample time to purchase the food the child will be able to eat.
Also, ask the camp if the cooking staff have completed a gluten free training program. Ask the camp staff if there is someone the child can talk to, if the child becomes sick from cross-contamination.

No child should miss out on this rite of passage. Summer camp holds memories and friendships that can last a lifetime. Celiac children should be able to enjoy summer camp, without fear of cross-contamination, and ridicule.

Source: http://www.celiaccentral.org/summertips2013/summer-camp-selecting-the-best-option-for-your-gluten-free-kid-9859/

(photo courtesy of: http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2010/06/summer-camp-sign.jpg)

Is There A Connection Between Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease?

People have asked the question: Is there a connection between Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease? Researchers have suggested that there is a connection. There are four genetic variations between Celiac Disease, and Crohn's. Those of us with Celiac Disease are at a higher risk for Crohn's Disease than the general population.

The four genes connecting the two diseases are as follows:

• IL18RAP
• PTPN2
• TAGAP (this specific gene has been identified as a risk factor for Celiac Disease, but is now associated with Crohn's Disease as well.
• PUS10 (this gene has previously been tied to Celiac Disease, Crohn's Disease, and also, Ulcerative Colitis.

Each one of these genes influence the responses of the Immune System when it comes to perceived threats entering the system.
Research shows that if you have one of these diseases, you are likely to have the other. Researchers have only begun to scratch the surface in terms of researching the correlation between the two.

One year after I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I had a biopsy. Even after being gluten free for a year, I still showed damage on my intestine. Another thing that my biopsy found, was, Ulcerative Colitis. After the biopsy, I was tested for Crohn's Disease. My Gastroenterologist theorized that the Colitis might be a precursor to Crohn's Disease. My test results came back inconclusive. I plan on being tested again.

Fellow Celiacs, it is important to be tested for both Colitis, and Crohn's. Just like Celiac Disease, both Colitis, and Crohn's are serious illnesses. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Source: www.celiac.com/articles/22440/1/Study-Shows-Celiac-Crohns-Disease-Share-Genetic-Links/Page1.html

(photo courtesy of: http://blog.glutenfreeclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/stomach_pains_woman.jpg)

Food Warning: Amy's Frozen Meals

Finding frozen dinners that are okay for Celiacs to consume is tough. People I have interacted with, tend to turn to Amy's frozen meals for that quick lunch or dinner. I was no different. When I first started my gluten free journey as a Celiac, I loaded up on those meals. I was working crazy hours as a caregiver. I was going from house to house, to take care of my clients. I never really had time to cook myself an actual meal. I needed something quick.

However, as much of a quick meal as Amy's is, there is something that you should know, before you purchase these meals. Amy's frozen dinners come with an allergen warning. The meals were made in the same facility as wheat products. Despite the Gluten Free logo on the box, there is still a chance of cross-contamination. I wanted to pass along this information. Celiacs are at different stages of their illness. Some are more sensitive than others. So, consuming Amy's frozen dinners may affect you. Some people have consumed meals that have actual cross-contamination, and have gotten sick.

Be careful when shopping and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, read your labels. It is vital for our health and well-being.

Source:
http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/102665-warning-about-amys-frozen-meals/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

(photo courtesy of: http://www.shape.com/sites/shape.com/files/imagecache/gallery_full_image/photo_gallery_picture_images/amys-rice-mac-and-cheese-420x420.jpg)

A Connection Between Celiac Disease and Lupus.

There is research that suggests that there is a connection between Celiac Disease, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an incurable auto-immune disease that affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, which causes the following symptoms in people with SLE:

• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Fatigue
• "Butterfly rash" on face
• Unexplained fever
• General discomfort

With both being auto-immune diseases, a person with Celiac Disease has a more elevated risk for SLE than the normal population. Research is still being conducted, but, those of us with Celiac Disease, should be checked for SLE, if we come down with any of the above symptoms.

Sources:
www.celiac.com/articles/23174/1/Celiac-Disease-Patients-Face-Higher-Risk-of-Systemic-Lupus/Page1.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000435.htm

(photo courtesy of: http://www.calmingtouch.biz/Portals/0/lupus-20910.jpg