Food Allergy Living Blog Tagged Results

This month we are doing a series of blog posts on hidden food allergens. So far we have discussed hidden sources of the allergens dairy and soy, and this week we will discuss hidden sources of gluten.

If your little one has a gluten allergy or intolerance, you are quite aware of the many challenges it causes. Gluten is a protein commonly found in all forms of wheat and related grains like rye, barley and possibly oats. It is also in many other foods consumed daily, such as cereal, breads and pasta. Depending on the severity of the intolerance to gluten, different side effects may occur. They may be limited to GI discomfort, such as diarrhea, gas and bloating. A more severe intolerance would be classified as celiac disease (CD), a lifelong digestive disorder that causes damage to the small intestine and prevents absorption.

Gluten-Free Diets

If you or a loved one is following a gluten-free diet, it is important to be aware of where gluten may be hidden. Luckily, a gluten-free diet is not as limiting as it used to be. Now, gluten-free breads, pastas and prepared foods are available, which really aid compliance on a tricky diet! You can purchase these gluten-free foods from most grocery stores or online.

As a general rule of thumb, if following a gluten-free diet, you should avoid the following ^1,2 :

Wheat and Gluten Ingredients:

• Anything which contains: wheat, rye, barley, spelt and millet
• Hydrolyzed wheat protein, sprouted wheat or barley malt
• Anything with the term “gluten”
• Words that refer to the specific kind of grain or wheat
  • Ex: bulgar, durum, farina, macha, matzo or matza, kamut, graham, semolina, seitan, fu, udon, couscous, tabbouleh

Generalized terms which should be avoided with gluten allergies:

• Malt/Malted milk/malt extract/malt syrup
• Soy sauce/Teriyaki sauce
• Flour
• Beer (most contain barley or wheat)
• Bran
• Germ
• Orzo (pasta)
• Cookie crumbs/cookie dough
• Bread crumbs
• Gravy
• Seafood analogs (imitation crab contains wheat)
• Bouillon or broth

Everyday products which may contain hidden sources of gluten:

• Lip balm
• Sunscreen
• Children’s stickers
• Stamps and envelopes
• Soaps and shampoos
• Washing machine detergent
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Medicine and antibiotics
• Ground spices

For a complete list of foods to avoid and other resources about celiac disease, visit www.celiac.com

Can you think of any other hidden sources of gluten that weren’t mentioned?

-Nita

Sources:

1. Hidden Ingredients Containing Wheat or Gluten: Tips and Tricks on How to Discern Gluten Ingredients http://food-allergies.suite101.com/article.cfm/hidden_ingredients_containing_wheat_or_gluten#ixzz0oD3Qh3V2

2. http://gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringautism.org/hidden-sources-of-gluten.htm

Grocery shopping can be a daunting task for parent of kids with food allergies, and inconsistent labeling terms doesn’t make it any easier. There are currently more than 30 different labeling types! While the FDA mandates that foods containing the top 8 allergens are labeled, there is no law mandating “accidental-allergy warnings” in case a food in cross contaminated during production. And it’s not always clear exactly what the terms/statements on labels really means for your child.

Here are some of the most common terms on food labels, and what each of them means. If there are any more you’re curious about, let us know.

Dairy Free: Food that is labeled as “Dairy Free” may still contain casein, whey or other milk products. It is important to check the ingredient lists of these products for hidden dairy. GoDairyFree.org has a great list of hidden dairy in a variety of products.

Gluten-Free: According to CNN, “The FDA has recently issued standards for foods to be labeled "gluten free." Currently, the "gluten free" label is voluntary — that is, it's up to the manufacturer whether to include it. Many foods are naturally gluten-free and may or may not be labeled as such.” Products with this designation shouldn’t contain gluten, which is a main component of wheat, however some studies have shown low levels. A great resource is csaceliacs.org, which has a list of safe foods.

Manufactured on the Same Line As/Made in Same Factory As: This means that while the food may not contain the allergen directly, it was manufactured on machinery used to make other products containing potential allergens like peanuts.

May Contain: Even though there are no allergens in the product, they could be cross-contaminated (for example if they share a production facility that manufactures a product containing allergens). Proceed with caution!

Do you have any other tips for navigating the aisles of your grocery store?

-Christine

According to the article, the company's Betty Crocker brand is rolling out gluten-free mixes for cookies, brownies and cakes. The mixes are the first gluten-free offering from a major, mainstream brand in the cake-mix aisle.I’m hoping this move will encourage additional retailers to follow the lead of General Mills, providing consumers with a variety of gluten-free options.

In the mean time, let us know what you and your little ones think of the Betty Crocker baking mixes and other General Mills gluten-free products and if you know of any other companies entering the marketplace.

- Christine

If you’re used to preparing your little one’s powdered Neocate formula, you might be wondering if there is an easier way. It’s tough enough getting kids dressed in the morning, much less having to measure out and prepare powdered formula to send to daycare or school. Fortunately another option is E028 Splash!


What is E028 Splash?

E028 Splash, or just “Splash” for short, is part of the Neocate line of hypoallergenic formulas. The “E028” doesn’t mean anything special: it’s just a unique product code that stuck! Splash is technically a “medical food,” which falls somewhere in the middle of a food, a drug, and a supplement. Orange-Pineapple Splash has been available in the US since 1995, and in 2006 we introduced 2 new flavors: Tropical Fruit and Grape.

Splash, just like Neocate Junior, is designed for kids over a year old and contains some of all of the nutrients growing bodies need, like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Splash is unique because the protein source is free amino acids, which are safe for kids with food allergies and other medical needs that require an elemental diet. It’s also gluten-free and casein-free.


What makes Splash so great?

The number one reason parents love Splash is because it’s so convenient. Splash is the only ready-to-feed amino acid based formula there is! It goes into a backpack just as easily as any other juice box. No more measuring powder, measuring water, and shaking! Not only is this convenient for daycare or school, but it also takes the guesswork out of the equation for babysitters, family, and other parents when your child visits on a play date.

Kids love Splash for a number of reasons. Severe allergies may mean they need a special formula, but who says it has to LOOK like a special formula? Not us! Splash is packaged to look like other juice drinks, so allergic kids don’t have to feel “different” from everyone else. We even use colored straws to mask the look of a formula, because Splash has NO artificial colors. For some kids, the novelty of getting to drink their formula through a straw instead of from a cup can make a world of difference. And don’t tell your little one that we said this, but the drink box keeps the distinct smell of formula wrapped up. And to top it all off, Splash comes in 3 great flavors, which can help kids to stick to an elemental diet by adding variety.

Splash has been a blessing for so many families that it has even appeared in a few news stories: here’s a video of Splash helping Matthew Bernard!

- Rob

We often hear about Neocate families who in addition to following a dairy and soy free diet, also need to follow a gluten free diet as treatment for Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition that results in damage to the small intestine when gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye, is consumed.

Currently, the only treatment for Celiac Disease is strict adherence to a gluten free diet.  In recent years more and more delicious gluten free versions of your favorite foods, such as breads, cereals, and crackers, have become available; however the cost of these specialty foods can add up quickly.  Fortunately, some of the cost of these gluten free foods may be tax deductible as a medical expense.

In order to take this deduction you must have a diagnosis of Celiac Disease, and you must also itemize your deductions.  The Celiac Disease Foundation does a wonderful job of summarizing the ins and outs of how this deduction works.  Check out their website for more information.   

We hope this tip will help you save some cents this tax season!

-Irene