If you are diagnosed with celiac disease (or a gluten allergy or intolerance) how on earth can you supplement your diet with “whole grain products” the way you should to support a healthy heart and lifestyle? I do not understand this. I have celiac disease and am struggling with it because I cannot afford to shop at the health food stores and pay five or six times as much for a gluten free loaf of bread or box of pasta so often times I just skip it and do without.What is an average person like me supposed to do?How can I supplement my diet to get the nutrients I need when I cannot eat the things I am supposed to or afford the alternative? I am a single mother with two children and that in itself is extremely expensive! I am beside myself with knowing what to do. I would just love to eat an entire loaf of whole wheat bread with a package of lunch meat but know the consequences would not be worth it! I need to lose a few pounds and the diets say “whole wheat” this and that … Argh!

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First, let me say congrats toy ou for taking control of your health and acknowledging that Celiac (CD) is a serious disease that needs to be taken care of.
Here is what I do. I too am a mother, albeit a stay at home one but we live in one income of a mechanic with one toddler and one baby on the way, so I can appreciate the budget!
You are right, GF foods do cost more. So if you are a baker, that can help you out. (I personally am not).
First, Great Value (walmart) “Fiber Supplements”, they’re verision of Citrucel, is GF and fairly cheap. I take those every day to assure my fiber intake.
Secondly, shop online if you can. Most GF foods are WAAYYY cheaper online. Here are my fave sites:
http://www.glutenfree.com (wide selection)
http://www.glutensolutions.com They give u something free every so many orders.
http://www.amazon.com grocery section is great if you have the room and can buy in bulk for flours, mixes, etc.
For a sample list of alternative grains, go to http://www.csaceliacs.org
Here is what I often do: For meals requiring a GF alternative, such as pasta, I make myself a GF version (i.e. I boil my GF spaghetti an dmake the family regular spaghetti). This cuts down on costs significantly but u do have to be careful of cross contamination.
If u like to abke and have time, u can buy the flours online for cheaper and use cookbooks like “Bette Hagman’s Gluten Free Gourmet” or “Wheat Free and Gluten Free cooking for kids and busy adults”
Try alternative grains like quinoa, corn grits, brown rice (even instant is fine).
Fiber and lots of nutrients are in many fruits and veggies. Make yourself smoothies with frozen fruits (walmart ones are just as good as fresh!) and slip in some flaxseed. Its GF and a good grain and good for health. Or add yogurts (most yoplaits are GF and now state so). to your breakfast.
If you income is tight, do you qualify for the WIC program for your children? That can help with teh food for them and free up a few bucks here and there for you to spend on GF foods.
I wouldnt worry so much about meetign the whole grains requirement. Celiacs will probably NEVER meet their RDA of whole grains bc most of the grains we ’should’ eat are toxic to us! Do not feel bad if u cannot fit it all in. Just try different GF grains when u can and sub with good fruits and veggies. (apples and pears have tons of fiber.)
Beans and lentils are a good source of fiber and super cheap. Mix up a pot of red beans and brown rice and there u go!
Ihope this helps, I definitely feel your situation!!
Maybe one day a Celiac will write a weight loss book for us! It is a myth that Celiacs cant be overweigh or struggle with weight issues.
ALso on Yahoo health Groups there is a group called “overweightCeliacs” try searching them (under Yahoo Groups) and they may be able to help you. Another good Yahoo Health Group is “SillyYaks.”
Hope all this helps some!
Best of luck!

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My friend is vegan and she has a wheat allergy.
I don’t want a recipe that’s too complicated, is there anything out there that I can bake for her?

Try this delicious cookie recipe:

Ingredients:
◦1 & 3/4 cups oat flour (you can make your own from oats in the blender or food processor) or substitute brown rice or quinoa flour for a gluten-free version.
◦1/4 teaspoon salt
◦1/2 teaspoon baking soda
◦1/2 cup sugar (sucanat or turbinado)
◦1/4 cup brown sugar (or substitute honey or agave nectar for all of the sugar)
◦1/3 cup oil (olive or canola)
◦1 Tablespoon ground flaxseeds (ground in coffee grinder)
◦1/4 cup milk (or soymilk)
◦1 teaspoon vanilla extract
◦1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)
◦3/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Mix the salt, baking soda, and flour together.
Whisk the milk and ground flax seeds together in a small bowl. Add the sugar, oil and vanilla and whisk until well mixed.
Stir the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, adding the chocolate chips and nuts last.
Drop by the teaspoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
The recipe makes about 18 cookies. Double the recipe for a family.

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