How Much Does The Gluten Free Diet Cost? One Man's Results.

I've never been accused of not being detail oriented or able to track something to the smallest degree, so I figured I'd put those skills into tracking what it actually costs to follow the Gluten Free diet.  I've never seen anyone do this sort of tracking before, so I'm curious as to how my spending habits stack up to others.  From what we know from studies, the average Gluten Free product costs nearly 250% more than it's gluten containing counterpart.  We've all paid $6 or more for a loaf of gluten free bread, right?  A case of Redbridge will set you back about $35.

Since January 1st, 2011, I've tracked EVERY purchase made by my family as it pertains to a labeled, packaged Gluten Free product.  It's not been fun nor easy, but I chalked it up to valuable research to share with you all.  See the chart below for monthly totals.  Keep in mind that I am the only member of my family required to eat Gluten Free, but that our household (2 adults and one preschooler) is entirely Gluten Free for my safety.  I don't consider myself someone who buys a ton of packaged food - we often strive to make meals from scratch with fresh ingredients.

Here are the results through June 2011 (click for bigger picture).

Gluten sensitivity can exist in non-celiac IBS patients

Australian researchers reporting in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found in a study that people with irritable bowel syndrome but not celiac disease can still exhibit a sensitivity to gluten. Slightly more than two-thirds of the patients in the small study reported after a week a number of issues, including severe pain and bloating, compared to the group that was fed a gluten-free diet.

Read more at celiac.com

Whole Foods Wave Ave - Gluten Free Vendor Fair This Saturday 11a-2p

Just a quick note that the Whole Foods Market located in Raleigh on Wade Avenue will be hosting a Gluten Free Vendor Fair this Saturday, May 14th, 2011 from 11am to 2pm.

There will be samples from UliMana Chocolate, Mary's Gone Crackers, Happy Tummy Baking Company, Old Mill Kettle Corn, Bigelow Tea, Num Num Sauce and more!

Saturday, May 14th
Gluten Free Fair

11:00 am-2:00pm Free!

It's our Gluten Free Fair! Tempt your taste buds with tasty treats! Lots of great products and local vendors. Try a variety of samples...all gluten free!

3540 Wade Ave
Raleigh, NC 27607 USA

Phone 919.828.5805

Store hours:
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Media Release

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month for Second Year

Raleigh, N.C., USA, May 2, 2011 – The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog has announced Governor Beverly Perdue has declared May 2011 “Celiac Disease Awareness Month” in North Carolina for the second year. The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog and Pat Berger, leader of the North Raleigh Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) Support Group brought the petition to the Governor’s office regarding the awareness month.

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects one in 133 people in the United States. It interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food and can cause gastrointestinal and neurological issues, infertility, skin rashes and cancer. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is lifelong, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit: May 4th, 2011 in Washington, DC

Hopefully by now, you've heard of the upcoming Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit being held on May 4th, 2011 in Washington, D.C.  The event, organized by 1 in 133.org, will feature the world's largest Gluten Free cake (13 feet tall) on Capital Hill in an effort to finally get the FDA to finalize what the term "Gluten Free" means on product packaging.  Wouldn't it be great if you could pick up a product that had the term "Gluten Free" on it and know exactly what that meant?  Kind of a no-brainer if you ask me.  But who am I - just some guy who must follow a medically required Gluten Free diet for life in order to be healthy due to my Celiac Disease.  It's not that important, right?  Wrong.

NFCA Webinar: 60+ Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac

60+: Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac

Join us for a Webinar on May 18

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/943219350

Announcing NFCA's Webinar, 60+: Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac, on Wednesday, May 18th at 1pm Eastern.

Join NFCA as Veronica Alicea, M.B.A., R.D., a well-known dietetic consultant in the celiac and gluten-free fields, leads an hour-long discussion on the increasing number of celiac diagnoses in the mature adult population during which she will provide expert advice for fellow dietitians on how to best care for this unique population.

Sponsored by Crunchmaster crackers, this webinar is free of charge and the only requirement is a working Internet connection!

Veronica will:
* Discuss the growing prevalence of celiac disease among adults who are 60+
* Address the unique needs of mature celiacs, such as diet compliance
* Offer tips on how best to adjust to a gluten-free lifestyle when diagnosed later in life
* And more!

Title: 60+: Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Gluten Freely Deal Alert

Act by April 30th!  Visit Gluten Freely.com for more details.

$10 off orders of $50 or more  ~ Free Shipping  ~  Instant Savings of 10% - 20%

Examples include the following

• Buy 6 boxes of GF Bisquick for $26.94 (10% savings)
• Buy 6 boxes of GF Betty Crocker Brownie Mix for $24.79 (10% savings)
• Chocolate Chex for $3.19 per box (20% savings)
• GF Betty Crocker Cake Mix for $3.90 per box (15% savings).
• Free Shipping (Discount will be applied automatically at Checkout).
• $10 off your order of $50 or more (Discount will be applied automatically at Checkout).
• Trial Box - Save over $5 when you purchase your favorite gluten-free products packaged in an elegant gift box and receive a free Betty Crocker Red Spoon.
• All offers can be combined!

Harmony Farms 35th Anniversary Celebration - April 30th

Celebrating 35 Wonderful Years, serving the Raleigh community... We hope to see you all at this spectacular event.

Be sure to stop by for:

• Bags filled with goodies (While supplies last)
• Samples
• Product merchandise (buttons, etc).
• Several gift baskets given away by drawing.
• Chair massage will also be available.
• Additional savings on clearance items!!
• 20% off ALL purchases during the event!

Where & When
Harmony Farms - 5653 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh
Saturday, April 30th
10:00AM-3:00PM

In Harmony,
Nancy & Steve Long, & Co-Creators

Quick Update From Happy Tummy Baking Company

Happy Tummy Baking Company is now available at the new North Raleigh Whole Foods. Happy Tummy's crusts, in addition to being gluten-free, do not contain yeast or any of the 8 major allergens.

The product is 12" round and can also be found in the freezer section at the Raleigh Wade Ave, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill Whole Foods.

Maria Hopper
Happy Tummy Baking Company

Fake Gluten Free "Bread Man" Guilty; Receives Decade Long Sentence

In 1996, Paul Seelig and his young son set off on a trip to Cleveland, Ohio. At the urging of his 5 year old son, they were on their way to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At some point during the trip, Paul decides to take the scenic route through the Amish country of Ohio. Somewhere near Millersburg, Ohio, they see a sign for a farm/bakery called Risn' Bakeries. Even more intriguing, the company is offering an extensive array of Gluten Free products like bread and bagels, grown and baked right there. Paul and his extended family have a history of digestive diseases and eat wheat free/Gluten Free. Paul pulls in and meets with the owner of Risn' Bakeries, Jonas Jones. After a discussion, Paul and Jonas strike a deal where Risn' Bakeries will supply Paul's company Great Specialty Products with Gluten Free baked goods. Although Paul's company is not currently selling GF goods, he takes a typed letter from Jonas promising those goods at any point in the future and keeps it in his back pocket. Although it is often difficult because Jonas does not have electricity, email, phone, text messages, fax, Facebook, twitter, cell phone, internet or even an address other than SR 77, Paul and Jonas keep in touch over the years. They develop a routine where Paul sends emails and then waits for Jonas to ride in his horse and buggy over to Kinko's where he checks his email. Paul uses the email address risnbakeries@yahoo.com to reach Jonas.