Rain Unfriendly Foods

rain's picture

Enough people have wanted to know what I can and cannot eat that I decided perhaps I should make this information available in a readily accessible place.  :)

Following are the specifics of what make up "Rain-Unfriendly" foods.  (Thanks to my friend Mollie for coining the term "Rain Friendly," which is being co-opted here.)

Hopefully I'll start having a little more time soon to spend on increasing the usefulness of my blog in finding good celiac-friendly recipes.  Suffice it to say, fresh foods are wonderful!  I feel like Jon (who does most of the cooking) and I are eating like royalty.

Rain's Allergy List:

MUST BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS:

Gluten - which includes:

  • wheat
  • malt (often -- if it says "corn" or "rice" based it is okay)
  • maltodextrin (often -- if it says "corn" or "rice" based it is okay)
  • oats (unless explicitly labeled "gluten free" - Bob's Red Mill has this)
  • rye
  • barely
  • spelt

Eggs

HIGHLY ALLERGIC:

  • Dairy (aged hard cheeses can be tolerated in very small amounts)
  • Caisen
  • Whey
  • Pineapple
  • Soy (note that this is the base for a lot of "vegetable oil" so check carefully)

MODERATELY ALLERGIC, CAN TOLERATE:

  • Peas
  • Almonds
  • Chicken

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO NOTE:

The following wording on product ingredient lists usually means something really bad, specifically wheat based, might be in the product.  It is best to avoid such products unless they are specifically labeled "gluten free":

  • Natural Flavors
  • Vinegar (if it just says "vinegar" -- "distilled white vinegar" (especially Heinz), "apple cider vinegar," "balsamic vinegar" and other vinegars derived from known safe origins are safe)
  • Apple Cider Flavored Vinegar (apple cider vinegar is fine, flavored is not)
  • Food Starch
  • Modified Food Starch
  • Artificial Flavors
  • Artificial Colors

For a very helpful list of safe and not safe grains and things to watch out for, see this page: http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/theglutenfreediet/a/GrainTable.htm

There are also links on this page to many other useful resources.