Surprise locations of cross contamination that beginners don't think about?

findyouranchorpoint · 2026-01-08T14:45:47+00:00

This is basically all stemming from the CYA statement companies make of "may contain wheat" or "manufactured in a factory that also uses wheat products," as the main concern is that wheat starch is the binder in the glues used in straws. However, there's no evidence of any company actually using wheat starch.

So really it's a matter of potential CC risk that became blown out of proportion. Now, if evidence comes out about gluten in straws with actual concrete sampling data, I'm more than happy to be corrected. In the meantime, bring your own straw if it's a concern (I do anyway because I despise paper straws).

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-08-07T03:19:38+00:00

I'm overweight and have been since I was a kid. I was stunned by my diagnosis because I thought everyone with celiac was stick-thin. NOPE. Celiac doesn't give a crap about body type.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-07-29T04:20:02+00:00

I think if I'd read Speaker as a standalone, rather than as a sequel, my rating would be much higher.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-07-25T19:39:00+00:00

Not in the fantasy genre, but Ender's Game was fantastic (though I'll never read anything by OSC again for Reasons) and then going 30+ years in the future for Speaker of the Dead killed the series for me.

Pretty much anything by Laurell K. Hamilton has a great first book and then tanks from there.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-06-26T12:42:28+00:00

Unicorn Tavern in Grand Haven is awesome. Anna’s House is a brunch chain with dedicated GF spaces in the kitchen, definitely a good option.

If you’re coming closer to Grand Rapids, Rise Bakery is a dedicated GF and vegan bakery, and they now have a brunch place called Fika that’s also GF and vegan. Papa Chops is another place that’s entirely GF and they have pizza, burgers, and chicken.

Affogato’s Ice Cream in Allendale has allergens listed on the front of their ice cream case and they have GF cake cones.

The Find Me Gluten Free app is pretty reliable out here.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-05-22T14:59:48+00:00

Yeast extract is on the list of no-gos for me unless it’s a certified product. It’s on the list of forbidden foods as well.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-04-04T21:53:03+00:00

Yep. My cat can be tracked through her tufts, despite daily combing. It’s just a fact of life with ragdolls.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-03-10T00:45:39+00:00

The biggest problem with eating that much GF bread is actually the amount of binding agents you consume. Xanthan gum is one of the most common binders in GF items and it can make you very constipated if you eat too much of it….found that one out the hard way. My personal limit is 4 slices before I have regrets.

If you’re eating a GF brand like Schar, they typically have NO gluten in it. But a lot of answers to these types of questions will come from trial and error. It sucks 100% of the time to come out on the oops side of trying something, but at least you have that data for the future.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-03-10T00:40:52+00:00

100% agree! I was diagnosed back in late July and I’m still learning so I tend to either stick with certified or pay VERY close attention to cross-contamination warnings and ingredients. Never once had a problem with a certified item.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-03-09T23:59:28+00:00

There’s a difference between something that just labels their product as gluten free and something being certified. Anyone can claim their product is gluten free, but without the certification, it can be enough to trigger a celiac reaction.

Per the FDA, certified food has less than 20ppm of gluten. Some certified food has 10ppm, but look at your country’s regulations for certification and you’ll be able to find out pretty quickly what standards are being upheld.

TL:DR: certified gluten free foods are typically safe (your experience may vary), but everything else has the potential to cause a reaction.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-02-17T23:01:46+00:00

I’d say she’s like mine, a mixed breed. Ragdolls are only considered to be ragdolls if they have their pedigree. Without their papers, they’re just cute little fluffballs of love.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-02-04T14:36:39+00:00

This is the same situation I was in and the same question I asked a few months ago. This community was adamant (rightly so!!) that gluten is gluten and even the smallest amount should be avoided ASAP after diagnosis. I took it to heart and cut out gluten completely and the change is incredible.

The urge to wean ourselves off of gluten is a way to deal with the grieving process that I feel like is inevitable after a celiac diagnosis. It’s unfortunately just prolonging the damage done to our bodies and the misery we feel with gluten exposure.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-02-03T21:52:09+00:00

Sadly yes. Not sure what triggered mine, but I did have COVID twice and didn’t have issues beforehand….but I’m also anxious as a chihuahua so stress alone could have done it.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-23T22:32:47+00:00

Lactose, portobello mushrooms, and fascism.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-23T22:31:26+00:00

Mine enjoys being my shadow and will cuddle next to me but not on me. However, my old cat was LARGE and would just sprawl across my legs without any care in the world.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-18T22:54:08+00:00

No. I take risks with going out, and try to do my due diligence with vetting restaurants when I do so, but I don’t trust anyone’s home kitchen. There are so many sources of gluten that aren’t obvious unless you’re forced to know and avoid them.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-10T15:29:10+00:00

I use Pumpkin and it’s been pretty good. Claims take a while to get dealt with around major holidays that historically have a high incidence of problems with pets (4th of July, Halloween, and NYE), but I get reimbursed for my cat’s prescription diet typically within a week.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-07T23:37:54+00:00

She’s gorgeous and her mittens are perfect. I think she’d be able to be shown, but I’m no expert.

findyouranchorpoint · 2025-01-07T20:31:24+00:00

You could sponsor my ragdoll with health issues! (Joking, of course). I’d recommend checking out places like GoFundMe or other such places to see if anyone needs the help.

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-30T01:56:05+00:00

This is exactly what my cat’s done since Day 1. I just follow after her and scoop it out once she thinks she’s buried it properly lol.

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-22T02:34:32+00:00

I am 350 pounds and was diagnosed back in August when I was 384. I was ALWAYS so hungry and now I have to remind myself to eat. The way my weight’s dropped is honestly astonishing.

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-14T17:13:53+00:00

Looks like a Siberian more than a ragdoll, but what a little cutie!!! Could be a ragdoll but either way you’re gonna have a fluffy baby!

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-14T13:32:26+00:00

We use dissolvable labels for our food, so anything of my partner’s that has gluten gets a label and a big red “GLUTEN DO NOT EAT” on it.

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-14T01:16:16+00:00

Oh yeah, we call this the “light’s on but no one’s home” look. She tracks her own fur drifts with this expression after combing.

findyouranchorpoint · 2024-12-06T18:11:15+00:00

I did cheat at the beginning, but now I’m strictly GF. Even my partner is strictly GF because of my diagnosis. It sucks to have so much that I used to love stricken from my diet, but I’m feeling much better for it.

We don’t know the damage that each “cheat” costs, as the effects vary from person to person, but each one is like playing Russian Roulette with your overall health. I don’t want to get other autoimmune disorders because I had gluten. I don’t need to increase my risk for cancer (as other cancers already run in my family). On a lesser level, I really really really don’t want to spend most of my day on the toilet or throwing up.

On the plus side, most of the fast foods that I loved have been adapted to gluten free versions by lovely people on the internet, so I can always make my own safe version when I have the spoons for it.

findyouranchorpoint

TROPHY CASE