<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> This is my first summary - please be gentle if I do it wrong! Thanks to all who replied to my post. I got a number of replies that were most helpful! I have also learned a great deal just reading the posts from others. I also got a number of URLs from list members. I hope to take some time over the next few days to check them out. Thank you very much. =-) Q - 1: Spices - I was reading the most of the Mc Cormick spices are gluten free. So, does this mean I should for the time consider all the spices in my spice cabinet are made with gluten? A few of them say "calcium silicate" added to make free flowing. A: Most of the replies said to go ahead and call the company and ask. Some helpful hints passed on to me: If I had been baking and might have contaminated the spice my self - toss it. Call a few companies each day - spread the task out and it will not seem to be so over whelming. Q - 2. http://www.idsl.net/celiac/day2day/day2day.htm - Milk, No-Fat & No-Cholesterol (This new type of milk is the result of a proprietary, super-skimming process that creates fat-free, cholesterol-free milk, but it uses a fiber-rich, all-natural fat replacer made from oats so it contains gluten.) Could someone clarify this? Is this a milk that is only Fat free and also Cholesterol free, or does this also apply to a fat free milk? A - I didn't get much input on this question - so I called the dietitian! She said this - in the process of removing the fat and cholesterol - the process may include adding gluten to make the milk appear more appealing. (Not so blue) She did say the label should identify this process - as with most labels dealing with gluten - I will follow my gut feeling and start buying a different brand and maybe buy 1% milk. For those that said - milk is not necessary in the diet. I love milk and will not give that up too! =-) Q - 3. Natural Juices (can mean Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein) - What is Natural Juices? A - Outstanding helpful hints - If it sez natural flavor or natural juices - call the manufacture. natural juices - I choose to avoid natural flavors until I know what they are. In the case of natural fruit flavors, the base of the flavors may be grain alcohol. As far as meat juices go, a "natural" basting solution (like in turkey) may contain gluten, so again, unless I contact the manufacturer I avoid these products. Q - My doctor asked me if I wanted to visit the dietitian. Has anyone met a dietitian who has experience in diabetes and celiac diets? Has the trip to the dietitian been worth your time? A - OK - most of the replies I got were "don't waste your time". I guess with this question I was looking for permission to not make yet another appointment to see yet another health professional. My calendar is already full! The great suggestions I got from those who did see the dietitian: Call ahead and talk to the dietitian. One person made up a log of what they ate over the last few days before the appointment. If you have no experience with celiac - follow the above and make that appointment. (My Mom is celiac - and I'm more sensitive to what people can and can't eat than most - I think =-) Q - Lastly, is there anyone who is on a high protein diet and also has diabetes? Has anyone been able to maintain their weight after being diagnosed? A - this was a loaded question! I got a number of replies. A few people have been able to maintain their weight others have become obese. Since right now I'm eating everything in site - I need to get a grip on that. As for the protein - I'm very familiar with the high protein and diabetes. I have always felt - as a diabetic weight gain is not an option. So, I feel if I start to gain weight that a higher protein diet may be an only option. High protein VS being obese? Thanks again to all of those that replied. Your input was most helpful. Margaret M - mailto:[log in to unmask]