That Darn FDA

I am a big fan of Mr. Krispers. These Baked Rice Krisps are delicious! I haven't tried the other flavors yet -- Sea Salt & Pepper, BBQ, Nacho, White Cheddar & Herbs, and Sun Dried Tomato & Basil -- but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be tasting them soon.


Food lables continue to confuse me.

In early 2006, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) took effect. This consumer protection act requires that eight foods be identified clearly on food labels. The eight foods identified by the law are: Milk, Eggs, Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod), Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp), Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), Peanuts, Wheat, and Soybeans.


They can be identified in two ways. The first labeling option is to list, in parentheses, what items are in each ingredient. For example, instead of simply listing Enriched Flour as an ingredient....the label must read: Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid). The second labeling option is to list at the bottom of the ingredient list, Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs and Soy. Of course, that second labeling option is preferable -- nice and simple.

But, I am still confused about whether I can eat things that are made on equipment shared with products containing wheat. I need to test that out. So far I've been avoiding these products that may be affected by cross-contamination. We shall see. I'm curious to hear other's stories about the new FDA labeling policies.

Brownies

I bought this Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Mix on the recommendation of a friend. Lauren, another GF-er, told me that this brownie mix was unbeatable. She wasn't kidding.

I made the mix and added in a ripe, smashed banana and approximately 1/3 cup of organic crunchy peanut butter (also purchased at Trader Joe's). I like my brownies super-fudgy and moist. These two additions made for the perfect fudge-like brownie. Hooray!

My Story

So, my gluten story began about three years ago. I started having non-specific health problems such as weight gain, fatigue, GI symptoms, and rashes. These symptoms got much worse in early July 2008. I began sleeping 10-18 hours a day, became dizzy, and the rashes increased in frequency and severity. I had tests in the past to check my thyroid and test for anemia (all negative). After many tests, my primary care doctor could not find the cause of my problems.

It's not really in my personality to be tired and sleepy all the time. I just figured I was getting older, was depressed or stressed...I always found a "reason" to explain my fatigue and GI symptoms. Then, things got really bad. I was desperate to feel better. Thankfully, I got a great referral to see Dr. Pamela Yee who is part of the Meridian Medical Group. She was wonderful!

After many lab tests (11 vials of blood, stool samples, intestinal permeability test, and so on) I learned the source of all of the problems I'd been having. The cause? Gluten intolerance. The line between allergy and intolerance is actually quite fine. I cut gluten out of my diet starting in mid-July 2008 and began to feel like a new person! I have continued to have some residual symptoms but overall, things improved rapidly. The lab results that came back indicated that I do not have full-blown Celiac Disease (great news!) but that my body is intolerant of wheat and gluten. I am continuing to learn that medicine is not as straightforward as one might think but, thankfully, I have a very thorough doctor who has done a great job educating me about all of this.

Despite three years of progressively worsening symptoms, there are many things I'm thankful for in all of this and I feel like it is important to highlight those. (1) Time with God b/c I couldn't do anything else; (2) All the amazing gluten free options I have in New York including tons of amazing restaurants; (3) Wonderful friends who have supported and encouraged me over the last year +; (4) The resolution of all of this just in time for internship to start; and (5) God's provision of a wonderful doctor.

The best email I've received thus far in response to this discovery of gluten intolerance was from the ever-funny, Jonathan Hansen....

"I am glad you have discovered your inner gluten intolerance. Now if you could only do something about your inner racial intolerance. ;)"

More on why gluten sucks later.

Welcome to NYC Gluten Free

Welcome to my new NYC Gluten Free blog. After several years of inexplicable health problems, I was recently diagnosed with gluten intolerance. I am so thankful for an answer to these problems and wanted to share my experiences, connect with others, and provide restaurant and grocery reviews for other folks who live or visit the city.

There are many wonderful blogs available for people who have Celiac's disease or gluten intolerance. I am thankful for these folks and all the help they have provided me.

I think this blog will be a very slow work in progress. I am a frequent blogger on my regular blog, Above the Doorframe, so this is somewhat of a secondary endeavor.

Upcoming posts:
1) My story - how I came to GF
2) Restaurant reviews of Slice, Caravan of Dreams, S'Mac, and Peter's Diner
3) Recipe reviews
4) Complex feelings about people with food issues
5) Holiday expectations (1st year GF)