[homemaker]

I have recently discovered that I and my daughter have Celiac's disease sometimes called a gluten allergy. Is anyone else dealing with this? I am looking for "safe" foods and having a hard time!

[Hamster]

I experimented with a gluten free diet whilst waiting for a diagnosis of my own problem. All I can say is YUCK! Don't do substitutes, just do safe foods. Cakes and stuff made with gluten free flour are awful!

[Elle]

Most healthfood- and even some grocery stores- stock cake mixes, pasta and bread mixes that are gluten free. I must admit, gluten free products have come along way in recent years, as the number of diagnosed coeliacs has increased, even most restaurants where I live (Australia) offer gluten free meals.

P.s. Gluten-free bread is pretty awful but I find if you make your own it is so much better!

[homemaker]

Thanks for the advice guys. So far we have just stuck with completely gluten free foods and haven't begun experimenting with gluten free pastas and bread mixes and stuff yet.

[Bella]

I was at Walmart the other day and I saw that they now have a pretty big gluten free section. That's good because it makes it more accessible for people who may not have a health food store nearby.

I know some people who eat this voluntarily and not due to health reasons and they say they feel great. They tell me they will never go back to eating gluten.

[Elle]

Recent studies carried out in the US, using the blood samples taken in the 1950s compared to today, have shown celiac disease is four times more common than 50 years ago. This is amazing because it proves we're evolving, unfortunately not in a good way. Most scientists believe this is because of the amount of processed food we eat now, and how much our western diets rely on gluten rich foods.

Just a bit of trivia for ya!

[homemaker]

Well my husband is a recently diagnosed diabetic and now finding out that my daughter and I have celiac's has definitely made cooking for everyone challenging! I did try the gluten free pasta at Walmart and it's pretty good. Tinkyada's Pasta Joy was the brand name.