ok so we are taking the plunge no more gluten-help!!!

[yawningmonster]

As none of the markers have come back positive we cant join the coeliac society and feel a little on our own with this. All advice wanted (remembering we are in NZ). Does rice flour work as well as normal flour in things like corn fritters etc, whats all this I hear about stamps? What additives do I need to be aware of....oh man this seems so huge...breakfast especially and lack of sandwhiches!! Keep in mind suggestions need to be dairy and banana free also and for me meat free (breastfeeding so it has to go from my diet too apparently. AARRRGGGG!!!!

I think stamps is Terence Stamp and he has a range of food in the UK which is free of stuff. So no good for you.

Can you have oats or are they forbidden as well?

Lots of people at the Allergy NZ meetings are gluten free, they are held every 2nd Wednesday in Fendalton Plunket Rooms at 10am. One on next week. have you moved yet? Raewyn the regional co-ordinator will talk to you on the telephone if you have because it will be a bit far - she's great and her son Jack is gluten free.

When we were gluten free we found that you have to go back to a meat and 2 veg diet last seen in the 50s. For you it will have to be tofu and 2 veg! For lunches lots of rice salads etc.

The recipe on Healtheries Cornmeal for cornloaf is excellent and gluten free. You can miss out the cheese no worries. Those rice crackers will become a staple, but rice cruskits have milk powder in so no good for you. I think those Arnotts rice biscuits contain milk too.

Orgran stuff is excellent and is mostly dairy free - it's expensive, but it really works and so you don't waste heaps.

The falafels you buy a tub of and then fry are gluten free and very tasty - ds loves them.

There are some gluten free bakers, but they all had dairy in when I asked. maybe they've changed.

have another look at the MFD website and research with your new restrictions.

Yes we have moved but belong to the Allergy Society so will give them a call. DS does already have felafel and enjoys that as well as the rice crackers and the plain rice cakes have no milk in and he will eat these with hummus or avocado. Next time we are in city will go to Huckleberries and check out Orgran and Healtheries stuff you mentioned and when I get a little more time will go through what I printed off MFD. We are waiting for an appointment wiht the paediatric dietician at the hospital so she should be able to help. It is such a pain not to have a clear cut case of coeliac but he is losing weight with no other discernable cause so it is worth a go to see if this is the problem (seems weird concept to pull a food group in order to see if he gains weight! but understand theory behind it)

My son is coeliac, dairy intolerant and not allowee bananas either.

Top things i use are

Rice Milk he loves it

Rice bread is fantastic

Coconut macaroons and organic noughts and crosses crisps.

Good luck xxxxxx

thanks mandy, what about additives etc, I have heard that there is hidden gluten in the most unlikely things at times like some adhesives apparently? What about playdough at preschool, is there a gluten free recipe I can give them? So many questions...

Unless he is going to eat the playdoh it should be okay if they wash his hands well afterwards. I have heard of pre schools making gluten free playdoh. Salt dough or clay are good non dough alternatives.

What's the story with bananas?

And more importantly - how is your new house? Can I visit - I promise to bring gluten free stuff with me!

The chances of him eating it are high, he is still very oral. Would love to have you guys out to visit , thouroughly enjoying it out here. We have a park reasonably close that we could take the boys to as well. Email me and we will set something up. As far as bananas go the allergy side of things of fine the constipation side of things not so fine so they are gone, gone, gone. All we need to do is manage an egg, dairy, meat, gluten, latex and banana free morning tea and we will be set...a challenge if nothing else!!!

Don't forget avocados and kiwi fruit

I have some gluten etc. free pancake mix - we could have pikelets!

I have another friend near you that has shetland ponies and is being made redundant so will be around during the day - do you fancy that?

CAT me with your new details.