My Celiac Blog

Years ago when I was first diagnosed with celiac disease the common wisdom was that people with celiac disease had to avoid oats. As science began to determine that this was not exactly correct those who were more militant in their condemnation of oats gradually retreated to a position of "all oats grown in the United States are contaminated with wheat".

As a person inclined to rational analysis and skepticism, claims that include the word "all" get special attention in my way of thinking.

Recent studies have determined that a minority of people with celiac disease react in exactly the same way as they do to wheat when given absolutely pure oats. These people must avoid oats. But these studies also found that a majority of people with biopsy confirmed celiac sufferers are able to eat oats if they are not cross contaminated. For these people eating oats does not provoke the characteristic immune reaction as determined by blood work and biopsy samples. I seem to be among this larger group of people that can tolerate oats.

In fact I have eaten instant oatmeal packets indiscriminately for years, but then others with celiac disease managed to convince me that cross-contamination, especially with wheat, is a serious concern for the gluten free diet. Fortunately there are some growers and mills that co-operate to produce oats they can guarantee are gluten free. This was comforting news to me, because my gut feels really happy and content when I eat oats for breakfast.

We found the listings below by searching on Amazon.com for the term "gluten free oats", however we make no representation that these products are actually gluten free. Please do your own due diligence if you have celiac disease or any other medical requirement for a gluten free diet.

	Gluten Free Oats - 32oz Sale Price: $15.95
Description Old Fashioned Gluten Free Rolled Oats. Use as hot cereal, porridge or in baking recipes. These are manufacturer guaranteed gluten free pure oats that are free from contamination with wheat, barley, rye and other grains... Features Certified Gluten Free Oats

Bob's Red Mill Organic Scottish Oatmeal, 20-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4) List Price: $17.04 Sale Price: $13.74 You save: $3.30 (19%) Average Rating:

Description USDA Organic. The original oatmeal or porridge of ancient Scotland. Oatmeal originated in Scotland centuries ago and was different from our modern rolled oats. A coarse meal was produced by slowly grinding the kernel between two large millstones... Features Surprisingly unique and flavorful hot cereal Scottish Oatmeal produced in the same old fashioned way Contains all the health giving nutrients of the best quality oats

McCANN'S Irish Oatmeal, Quick Cooking Rolled Oats, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) List Price: $25.92 Sale Price: $17.95 You save: $7.97 (31%) Average Rating:

Description McCann's quick cooking oatmeal is made from the finest quality Irish oats. These oats are specially grown and harvested for McCann's by local farmers in accordance with a strict quality assurance program... Features Case of six 16-ounce boxes of quick-cook Irish oatmeal (96 total ounces) Contains only 100% natural, wholegrain, non-GMO oats specially grown by local Irish farmers Excellent source of eight vitamins and minerals; makes a quick and healthy breakfast For extra speedy breakfast, cook in the microwave; use in baking or cooking All McCann's oats are grown in the counties of Kildare and Meath in Ireland

	Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Steel Cut Oats - 24 oz Sale Price: $4.49 Average Rating:
Description Steel-Cut Oats are freshly milled from high protein oats and cut into neat little pieces on a steel buhr mill. Steel Cut Oats are one of the healthiest foods you can eat and they make a delightful full-bodied hot cereal with an appealing texture... Features High in Protein & Fiber and No Cholesterol! All Natural Whole Grain Oats Keeps Best Refrigerated or Frozen

Cream Hill Estates Lara's Rolled Oats, 1.1-Pound Box (Pack of List Price: $49.60 Sale Price: $38.15 You save: $11.45 (23%) Average Rating:

Description Cream Hill Estates Lara's Rolled Oats are old fashioned style and can be cooked as a hot cereal or porridge and can be used in recipes. They are guaranteed pure oats that are free from contamination with wheat, barley, rye and other grains. Features Case of eight 1.1-pound boxes(total of 8.8-pounds) Cooked as a hot cereal or porridge Guaranteed pure oats Free from contamination with wheat, barley and other grains

Bob's Red Mill Oats, Rolled Extra Thick, 32-Ounce (Pack of 4) Sale Price: $14.18 Average Rating:

Description Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Extra Thick Rolled Oats are uniquely "Kiln Toasted" and freshly milled from the highest quality oats grown in the Great Northwest- some of the best oat-growing country in the whole United States! These oats are rolled extra thick to give more "bite and texture" to your breakfast... Features Friend of the Heart Whole Grain All Natural Kosher High in Protein & Fiber

Recently I was craving a snack at about the same time I was visiting Amazon.com. When I saw a product called FoodShouldTasteGood Olive I was intrigued by the unique spelling and name.

On a whim I decided to order a case of 24 1-oz bags of these gluten free tortilla chips. They are much like ordinary corn tortilla chips but with powerful olive flavor. If you like the flavor of green or black olives, the chips contain both, chances are you'll like these too. The percentage of broken chips seemed to be less than with most similar products, but more than anything it is the delicious flavor of these chips that led me to order another case this past weekend.

The 1 ounce package size is just right for a mid-afternoon snack, leaving me feeling satisfied until dinner time.

I can attest to the fact that my grumpy tummy did not complain about these chips, so I do believe they are actually gluten free. Here is the list of ingredients: Stone Ground White Corn, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Black Olives, Green Olives, Sugarcane Fiber, Garlic Powder, Sea Salt.

[tags]gluten free snacks, gluten free chips[/tags]