Posted 2/24/2008 2:07 AM (GMT -6)
Hi,
To truely be gluten-free, you must learn to read food ingredient lists, because even products that say "gluten-free" on the outside of the package often contain statements that say the product is made in a facility that produces other foods that contain wheat - thus the food may actually not be truely gluten-free. The best suggestion I can give you is to eat fresh meats from the butcher's section, fresh fruits & vegetables, and to avoid anything in a package for now. Once you have stabilized your body from the allergic and gluten-related reactions, then you can work on adding in packaged foods that you feel comfortable adding into your diet. That said, there are some websites listing gluten-free packaged items, but always double-check the ingredient label to make sure because food manufacturers change ingredients from time to time and also the products available to you locally may differ from what foods are listed on another location's gluten-free food list.
As for other allergies you are trying to avoid, you have to think about the damage that is being done to your body when you eat these things. The reaction creates damaging chemicals in your body, which is why the swelling and other symptoms happen and also why for example the skin will be painful after a round of hives even though there is no visible problem with the skin once the hives go away. But don't punish yourself mentally for messing up - realize that every meal presents you with a new opportunity to get it right and avoid the things you need to avoid.
Here are some potentially helpful links:
http://gflinks.com/
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/
http://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html
http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html
http://www.foodallergy.org/
http://www.food-allergy.org/
I hope this is helpful - take care,