Keith,
It seems to me that you're not looking to make a lifestyle change that
will enable you to live in a healthy and fulfilling way. Every item you
refer to below is a "substitute" item. I've been dealing with eating
gluten free for 33 years and it's amazing what one gets used to once one
stops looking for substitutes and starts exploring all the other
wonderful foods available in this world.

You are right, most people in the United States are not interested in
eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Nor are they interested in cooking
wholesome meals. Your kids could get used to eating vegetables and
fruits. You could, too. It's too bad that even many celiacs don't take
the opportunity to acclimate their diet to healthy options; instead,
they search for substitutes.

You may not think that the gluten-free options taste good. That may
have been the case 15 years ago (believe me, I know). The options that
are available now (pasta, breads, etc) are amazingly good with improved
taste and texture. It is true that many of the off-the-shelf items are
full of carbs. So are "normal" foods -- that's why the products are
fortified with vitamins. The foods were never healthy to begin with and
have to be chemically altered or supplemented to get basic nutrition
back into them. You're fooling yourself if you think processed foods
are better for your family than simple, natural foods.

Does it take time? Yes. Does it take forethought? Yes. Does it take
will power? Yes. (But, you've already admitted on this list that you
cheat on your diet.) Can it be done and still feed three growing boys?
Yes. And, it can be done in a financially reasonable way if one stops
seeking for substitutes and looks for really viable alternatives.

Am I going to convince you? Probably not.

Amy Feistel | http://thats-what-rallygirl-said.blogspot.com/

> ________________________________________________________________________
> 1b. Re: Happy New Year and some decent research being done!
>
> I am about ready to swallow a hookworm, myself! Just a moment ago, I
> was once again staring into the pantry and the fridge, wondering what
> on earth to it. Honestly, though, I'm about 15 months into the diet
> and it has gotten easier. I thank Annalise Roberts and Pamela's
> Products for that, in great part!
>
> I can make it 2-4 more years...wouldn't it be wonderful to have a
> cure??? I really pray that this works out!
>
> Robyn
> ________________________________________________________________________
> 2a. Re: GF diet is not nutritious??
>
> Amy -
>
> read the ingredients for most GF replacement foods.. most are high in
> fats, sugars, etc.. Can you eat healthy on this diet? YES, but it
> would be foods that typically don't tickle most people's pallets...
> like fresh fruit, veggies and meats. Try to add in desserts, brownies,
> cakes, bagels, breads, etc and note how it is formulated in most cases
> to make it tasty.. many if not most GF cereals are devoid of vitamins
> and are just carbs. Which is why my family stays with Trix, Cocoa
> Pebbles, etc... even though high in sugars they are vitamin fortified
> and taste normal when compared to the "healthy" varieties out there.
>
> I happen to like italian food but most GF versions are very expensive
> and not as tasty.... they also don't provide (in most cases again) the
> fiber of regular dough or pasta....
>
> I have to work at getting the stuff right.. which is a pain in the
> royal neck when I'm trying to cook and prepare lunches for three
> growing boys...
>
> This diet is not easy and its expensive and for many replacement
> products its not the healthiest nor does it provide the vitamins or
> fiber that "gluten eaters" (loved writing that) get without much
> thought to what they eat..
>
> That's it... you can disagree but I'm not alone on this.. many Celiac
> sites state the same thing that its not easy to be on this diet and
> get the nutrition and avoid the bad stuff that more mainstream dieters
> get without much thought.
>
> Keith