Where to even Start????

Last week, our 10 year old son, Andruw, was placed on a gluten free diet. I didn't really research the facts too much before hand because I didn't want to make myself crazy for nothing and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I was wrong and having him tested for nothing.

Well, I was right! *GASP* What CAN he eat? There is so much that he can't. Well, thanks to Pinterest, some good friends, and Google, we have had a gluten free week. Andruw is still having some symptoms, but they can last up to 3 weeks after first beginning a gluten free diet, so we just have to be patient. He says that he feels much better than he did even if his stomach does still hurt and he does still have headaches.

So far I have learned that Kraft (includes all brands Kraft has), Mars candy, and McCormick are very friendly to the food sensitive and if there is even a possibility of cross contamination, the product will be labeled as such. Other brands, like Mission tortillas, say that specific products are gluten free, produced on separate lines, but that since they are in the same factory have the slight possibility of cross contamination. These products are ones that we have to try at our own risk.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. There IS a gluten free section in the store, but the food isn't always delicious, and it is usually a lot more expensive than if you can purchase a mainstream brand (with the exception of gluten free Rice Crispies from Kelloggs, I nearly died. $3 more a box, really? You removed ingredients and made them less tasty. But in order to save money, we will be trying to stick to stuff as mainstream as possible, and avoiding processed foods where possible.

What about eating out, you ask. Well to begin I was like "Hey, Papa Johns has a gluten free crust" and then I heard.. yeah cross contamination.. don't do it. BOOOO! Domino's? Same. The ones that really are okay, Costa Vida, Pizza Pie Café (a local pizza buffet), and Bellas (a local Mexican restaurant). All are good options... but to only have found 3 so far isn't too fun. I will keep searching and keep you posted.