Gluten Free

I received Amara's IgG full report and she is allergic to gluten. She also has a low moderate reaction to citrus and cranberries. This is going to change all our lives but especially hers.

Currently I'm doing research and trying to figure things out (like what is the difference between wheat gluten and wheat giladin?). Our current plan is to put her on a completely gluten and citrus free diet for a month and eliminate all foods that tested close to the moderate range. I want to see if her symptoms are improved by the diet changes.

I've talked to one gluten free friend and know a couple of more that I'll drive batty with questions. I purchased a few gluten free items for her today because being 6 she won't be happy just quitting all crackers, breads, tortillas, pasta, cereal, etc. I purchased Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour mixture and enough alternative flours to make 6 cups of a flour mixture that Bethany suggested. I'm going to try both mixes for breads, cookies, pancakes, and crusts to see which we like best.


Bethany's Gluten-Free flour mix

I'm going to read the literature that the lab sent but I don't trust it. Her doctor said to cut out wheat and gluten but the menu the lab suggested still has it included. I might end up speaking with a dietitian that takes allergies seriously and get her recommendations. I don't want to make things worse by following the wrong advice.

I also need to learn about hidden gluten. From a conversation with a woman in Lifesource today it seems that wheat is in all sorts of things like soy sauce and vinegar that one might not consider.

I need to research how to live gluten free frugally. I'm thinking that rice noodles and other rice products from the Asian food stores would be a good place to start but can I trust that they don't have trace gluten? Is it better to buy in bulk and if so from Lifesource, Azure Standard, or Frontier?

Its a lot to take in. For the holidays I'm just focusing on buying only certified gluten free products and using them sparingly while making sure she is not excluded from Christmas cookies and Thanksgiving pies. My girl deserves good memories not "the year I couldn't eat anything at Christmas".

I'm so thankful that her allergies are moderate and I'd like to keep them that way. When she's older she can decide how she wants to include gluten and citrus in her life if at all. For now my job is to protect her which means that she won't be eating it.


Her first official gluten-free breakfast: an egg, slice of cheddar, cantaloupe and blueberries in yogurt sauce.

P.S. I just read in the booklet that hot dogs have gluten in them. Hot dogs? Its like corn syrup! It seems to be everywhere. I'm going to have to become an expert label reader.