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Following is a summary of my wheat starch question from 1/7/99.
So many of you have been helpful and responsive. First, let me say
thanks for the wonderful answers and advice.
Overwhelmingly you said to stay away from wheat starch, even if it is
purported to not contain gluten.
The explanation is as follows:
The bread in question was manufactured in Europe. Although the wheat
starch is of Codex Alimentarius quality, (meaning the gluten has been
removed), it's not 100% gluten free. It seems that the level of
gluten is acceptable in Europe, but not in the US or Canada.
Because it's not entirely gluten free, most of you advised to stay
away from it. The reasons range from fear of adverse reactions, to
not wanting to put anything in your body that could hurt it. Some
suggested I should try it and see how my husband reacts. I think I'll
pass. We're just beginning this process and I don't want to do
anything that will set him back (mentally or physically).
That answers the first part of my questions. I then asked for advice
on helping my husband acclimate to his new diet. I received lots of
help on this!
Most responses were supportive and many people related their own
stories. These were very helpful. In the last three weeks, I've felt
very much alone in this process. Knowing that others have had
similar, if not identical, experiences has helped me return to reality
and realize this isn't the end of the world for me and my husband.
The Betty Hageman cookbooks, along with the Gluten-Free Panty and Miss
Robens food products seems to be the overall favorites of the group.
Other food suppliers mentioned were G! Foods, Authentic Foods, Really
Great Food Company, and Dietary Specialists. At one group member's
suggestion, I ordered "Against the Grain" by Jax Peters Lowell from
Amazon.com (a great way to quickly find the gluten-free/celiac books).
I look forward to reading it and sharing it with my husband.
Again, thanks to everyone that responded. Sorry if I didn't write
back personally, but I received over 50 messages on the topic.
By the way, those of you that were looking for the manufacturer or
more information on the original bread in questions, here is the URL:
http://www.glutenfreemall.com/cgi-bin/2/webc.cgi/~sadams/st_main.html?
catid=7&sid=2Qj2z5KLd
It's listed in the gluten free mall.
Thanks again!
Jennifer, Spouse of a Celiac in Northern New Jersey, USA
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