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For those of us who follow a gluten free diet because of celiac disease or because of possible gluten intolerance, should I be worried about the .002% gluten that is in the Rice Dream Beverage, or is that being totally obsessed?
Hello again Beth,

Be obsessed! Your body will thank you in the long run. Just because you haven't had a positive diagnosis of Celiac disease thru a biopsy doesn't mean you can tolerate gluten in any form. There are so many other beverages that ARE gluten free that you don't have to settle for Rice Dream, although as far as I know they are the only ones that make the single, 8 oz. serving boxed drinks that are nice for travel. Pacific brands is one...and makes a good Almond and Rice beverage that is GF. Blue Diamond makes an Almond one that is really low cal....60 calories per 8 oz. of the regular flavor, and if you can handle chocolate their chocolate Almond beverage is wonderful. Oats in any form are still iffy and some in the know say NO oats because of cross contamination issues, and others say oats and oat beverages are ok. I still haven't made up my own mind about oats, since I seem to tolerate them...but then I understand it can take many months on a GF diet before you really start feeling better.

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The official answer is no. Celiac Australia advise that the percentage is so low that it cannot harm. However, several people who are super sensitive to gluten from my Yahoo celiac site advise that they react to it.

If you think you are super sensitive, don't have it. If not, go for it.

Regards,
Bevp

Hi Bev..Haven't seen you in a while...glad you answered this, as there seems to be conflicting answers depending on who you listen to or what you read. I think some of the Celiac societies in the USA say No Rice Dream---at least that's what I've been running across. Who knows, then we come to the oatmeal issue and seems they say some Celiacs have avenin-reactive mucosal T-cells, avenin being the oat counterpart to wheat's gliadin.

There is still so much to learn...but I'm working on it!!

Kandee

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Hi Kandee,
Hi again Beth,
Do you have any reaction to the carrageenan in the products that you listed? Nope, but then I don't get a reaction to Rice Dream either. I just know I'm trying very hard to reduce the amount of hidden gluten in my diet. The reason I chose Rice Dream is because it does not contain carrageenan which I've read can cause cramps. I'd never heard this. All it is, as far as I know, is a seaweed, stabilizing gum and in a lot of everyday products we use. web page At least that's what they said it did to mice or some other rodent in a study. Dr. Weil, who I trust, also warns anyone with GI problems to stay away from that ingredient. Any thoughts? Yep. But with all due respect for Andy, some of his remarks concerning IBS we are in agreement on but others like the following conflict with this web site and Heather's (proven) method of eating for IBS. Some of his remarks are:

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Loose herbs sold in bulk are probably worthless.

[but]

Tinctures (alcohol-based) and freeze-dried extracts of medicinal plants are the best preparations to buy.
He obviously doesn't know about Heather's Tummy Teas!!!

Peppermint: for IBS, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, dyspepsia

Peppermint IS for IBS but NOT for someone with heartburn or GERD. It can make it worse.

Aloe or aloe vera: for inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Not what I've read!!!

Increase your fiber intake: Eat lots of whole grains and cooked vegetables and fruits

If he himself had IBS I doubt he'd be eating WHOLE grains or to many uncooked fruits (unless it's things like bananas or mangos or papayas) without getting attacks!!

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Is Oatmeal okay to eat? Do you mean is it ok to eat for IBS or for gluten intolerance? If for IBS, it depends...some people have problems with it, others don't. As far as the gluten intolerance issue, there are mixed signals here. Some say yea, some nay That would be wonderful if I could add that to my diet again! Why not just give it a try! For me it's been like an antispasmodic and I would always turn to it to reduce spasms. Now I'm not sure about it due to the gluten controversy.

Thanks again. This website is awesome! Should have registered long ago!
Great site....I agree!


After reading all these posts, I'm still confused about whether or not Rice Dream is okay! This will have to be your individual choice based on all the facts you can get your hands on. Can you use soy milk? That may be a better alternative for you. Good luck. Kandee

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I wish they would make up their minds about whether or not oatmeal was okay for gluten intolerant people! Me too...I love the stuff!
As far as the Rice Dream, you used to drink it and now you don't? Well, I have to admit I do still drink it, but only the little 8 oz. aseptic boxes because I take them with me when I travel. When at home I use various brands of Almond milk, and (yes) oat milk for things things I want to thicken, like puddings. Oh, come to think of it, Pacific has a rice beverage that is GF too, if you can find it. Unfortunately I can't use soy, since I'm hypothyroid. I was so shocked at my blood work coming in positive for gluten intolerance having been wheat free for years that it made me all the more aware of all the hidden gluten in things like supplements and processed foods using barley in some form or another. This going GF is really tough, I've got to admit, and so many things I could once have, now I can't, or rather shouldn't if I want to save my small intestines from possible damage down the road. Kandee

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