Pakistan Coeliac Society

Muesli

2012-02-26T18:48:00.013+05:00

Oats have been a controversial grain for use by coeliacs. The information on gluten free grains had labelled it to be a question mark and suggestions were to be cautious over its use.

A recent article on Coeliac UK website stated:

"The role of oats in a gluten-free diet has been debated for many years. Research looking at how oats affect people with coeliac disease shows that most adults and children can safely eat avenin, the protein similar to gluten found in oats. There are however, a very small number of people with coeliac disease who may still be sensitive to pure,uncontaminated oat products."1

I recently experienced two different Oat Muesli for the first time. Both are certified to be gluten free. They are some thing different in taste. For the first time one can not have an idea of what it might taste like. I have never liked multi-grain products and if I had an option to buy, I would not.Point to be noted is that taste is a very subjective matter and multi-grain products are extreme on this scale.

The first encounter was with "Nairn's Oat Muesli"2. It was great, simply great. With most part oats and other seeds in minor portions made its a great blend and this encounter has made oat muesli my breakfast menu. The simplicity of this product is the fact that i appreciate. Oats as the larger part in its composition make it easier on taste buds and adoption for a first time user is positive.

The second muesli I got was from "Eat Natural toasted muesli with buckwheat". It is different as it has crisped rice and coconut along with oats and other grains. These added ingredients have given a new dimension to the the muesli taste, and i think these type of changes will be beneficial for consumers.

I'm looking forward for more of these. However both products should be tried and might become a problem solving cereal for breakfast where options are usually limited with gluten free diet.

References:

1. http://www.coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-diet-lifestyle/the-gluten-free-diet/what-about-oats

2. http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/oat-muesli

3. http://eatnatural.co.uk/stuff-for-breakfast/

Thank you for people who got these for me.

Rising Tides

2012-02-04T15:21:00.004+05:00

Books, websites, blogs, articles and several other mediums have been used to share information about celaic disease and gluten intolerance. Almost every method has contributed to the awareness of this condition and helped public in general to learn. But my recent experience of an assessment center pointed at a new method that by chance or intention was used i.e. Case Study method. Doctors have been writing case studies on patients for upcoming doctors to learn about the spectrum of conditions patients have faced before and after diagnosis. But for business professionals it is something new.

The case had a separate question on wheat intolerance and gluten free food choice as a business problem/opportunity. It was a situation, where as an employee one had to make choice between gluten free food or diet food to be placed in a store section given other details. I found it exciting on learning that this kind of real life situations are being faced by managers in developed countries.

I hope this method is further used to enhance consumer awareness and to instill this knowledge in future business decision makers. This might be helpful in long run when gluten free food is available locally.

Agenda for 2012

2012-02-01T19:43:00.002+05:00

Greetings,

It was not easy to continue to post my thoughts regarding gluten free lifestyle in 2011. But the agenda for 2012 is to express more often and have diversified posts under the gluten free portfolio. I hope there will be more beneficial information sharing here and it is helpful for every new and existing reader. Comments and suggestions welcomed and appreciated.

Enjoy the upcoming posts !

Ispaghol & Benefiber: Gluten free or not?

2010-12-29T19:43:00.007+05:00

Greetings, A recent frequently asked question is: Is it suitable for us(coeliac's) to use Ispaghol?

The Wikipedia definition states: Psyllium seed husks also known as ispaghula, isabgol, or psylium, are portions of seeds of the plant Plantago ovata. Same kind of definition is written on a locally packed Ispaghol selling brand. Traditionally, Ispaghol is used for constipation and as a source of fiber.

Pure Ispaghol( psyllium husk) is gluten free and celiac disease patients can use it. I also checked with the Coeliac UK online food directory and it states a branded "pure psyllium husk" as "suitable". The important thing is, it is to be pure. Another question was asked about Benefiber’s use as it is made from wheat and is labeled gluten free! Its answer is available online and quoting here, it is stated in two different places on their website as:” Benefiber contains wheat dextrin, a natural soluble fiber”. And “Benefiber Powder, which contains less than 20 ppm of gluten and is therefore considered "gluten-free," based on both the FDA and the Codex Alimentarius Commission's proposed definition of less than 20 ppm. However, people who experience gluten intolerance should not consume any products, including Benefiber, that contain any level of gluten unless otherwise directed by their doctor.”

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyllium_seed_husks

http://www.benefiber.com/fiberHealth/faqs.shtml

http://www.coeliac.org.uk/

IMPORTANT !!

2010-09-29T21:07:00.002+05:00

Greeting, it has been too long for a post, but I had many comments, queries and emails that have been answered. To the extent I know I can make people understand but some issues that require common knowledge a patient should have cannot be clarified.

The upcoming posts will include some comments on imported gluten free food and my personal review on the products I have tried. As many patients and parents of patients are planning to import gluten free products and want to know which are worth spending? The local ingredients recipe log is maintained at the PCS website so that most of us should not have a problem in gluten free cooking. Members have shown serious concerns on the rising prices of imported gluten free products. The bread has touched Rs.1250 which is not at all in reach of most members. To counter this some ideas have been floating in from members and they can’t be initiated until a significant number of patients are willing to participate. A famous departmental store in Liberty Market Lahore agrees to have a dedicated gluten free shelf with imported gluten free products that the patients demand at reasonable prices. In this regard we need your comments and suggestions about what products you or your child requires and in what quantity. The more people answer this question the easier the PCS can ask store owner to act. On the other side PCS is and will be focusing on local ingredients and the recipes that cater to the needs of gluten free life management.

One serious issue that I have been observing is that wide spectrum of comments on the issue of local products being gluten free or not has shown up. I am a patient; I know what health costs and what it takes to redevelop the gluten free diet once contamination occurs. All the previous mental and physical war against gluten is lost once a patient willingly or unwillingly has gluten intake. I want every patient and parent to get proper and enough knowledge on what is gluten free and what is not. Even imported products don’t have clear labels that either they are gluten free or not, notably corn flakes. So the point is that I only inform what I can check from the seller, manufacturer and the authorities that have more knowledge than me. It is your/ patients choice to use, try, avoid or label that product as having gluten or safe for celiac consumption. But don’t ask me to endorse a product that itself is bogus and marketed as gluten free.

To develop a patient centric guidelines and books, which require feedback and contribution from all patients in every aspect of gluten free life management. It can be recipe, new product in market, local manufactured products or even experiences of gluten free life as a whole. We at PCS intend to publish a free and available to all books on gluten free life management, both in Urdu and English with recipes and a directory to start with about what is gluten free (safe) and what is not. The emphasis will be on local products and recipes from locally available ingredients so most patients, new and old can consult it on times of shopping and cooking. To achieve this we request you to start writing your experiences about diagnosis, shopping, dining out, local food knowledge, what is allowed and what is not and any recipe you have successfully tried can be shared. This guide or book would be helpful for all new diagnosed adults and specially parents who themselves don’t understand what to offer to their newly diagnosed child.

We hope for your understanding and cooperation regarding these issues. Let us help ourselves by helping each other !

World Consumer Rights Day

2010-03-15T23:42:00.004+05:00

Greetings, being in the middle of the bargain between manufacturers and consumers I notice Pakistan lacks most of the consumer rights. Here not only the recipes but the ingredients too are "top secret". Recently when asked a local bakery, which displayed list of gluten free items available on order, the answer was its confidential to tell the customers/consumers about the ingredients. We as consumers have never thought of asking about our part of right and information for the product we are paying. Even if there are no defined food and drug laws about labeling and no one seems to be socially responsible to answer any rightful question, we remain silent.

For all those gluten free manufacturers who are joining the league of making secret products should mark this day as the new start. Start to be responsible enough to label and answer about the ingredients even if your recipe is really a secret. For manufacturers sure about the use of naturally gluten free ingredients do read the previous post on Pre-purchase contamination and learn more about it than written here.

We all coeliacs will be grateful of you being courageous enough to break the ice.

Pre-Purchase Contamination

2010-03-13T13:07:00.003+05:00

Greetings, emails from coeliacs on the authenticity and the claim of being "gluten-free" are increasing and making it a real objective for us to provide information that is correct and reliable. So, any product labelled as Gluten-Free should have "at least" these post purchase checks from the manufacturer of any kind of product. The checks here are for flour and may be increased and improved depending on circumstances. These include:

Grain packing( contaminated bags should not be used which previously had grains with gluten)
Transportation and storage of grains
Milling/ grinding of grains( separate machines should be used to avoid contact and contamination)
Final Packing(contaminated bags should not be used which previously had flour with gluten)
Transport (many packing of flour is porous and contact between gluten-free and glutenous flour can occur.
Shelf sharing (this is a shared responsibility of producer and seller to ensure shelfs are different of gluten-free flours)

The next post would be on post-purchase contamination and measure to avoid gluten intake.

Annual Meeting of PCS

2010-03-07T14:06:00.004+05:00

Greetings, Pakistani Celiac Society held its first annual meeting in Lahore at Royal Palm. It was a great response and guests included doctors, adult patients, parents of patients, food manufacturers and some media representatives.

The introduction to the society, celiac disease and the current problem of deceptive labeling were explained in detail in Urdu. A very good question and answer session was conducted with some recommendations from audience were appreciated and will be considered in our future agenda.

InshaAllah next local meeting with members will be announced on the website and blog.

Keep us updated with any product information or recipe you have.

Queries

2010-01-13T17:44:00.004+05:00

Greetings, during this week I have received an email and a sms regarding the desi alleged gluten free flour which is being produced, marketed and sold locally with some serious efforts. My dear celiac friends it is to be highlighted that I have already posted the pictures of the packaging and my comments on it, now will present the cheap marketing techniques used by the manufacturer.

Starting with the email form Pakistani Celiac Society( www.celiac.com.pk ) regional director from Peshawar emailed me that a known super market in Islamabad has the product on sale with a big sign board which said " gluten free flour available". She was shocked and emailed me the details of the place and what the store keeper said when asked questions about the product. Lack of knowledge and awareness i must say.

The other tool used by the manufacturer is advertising through sms. I don't have any reservations on the channel but the sms is so funny that one is ready to donate some amount to the manufacturer so he is able to afford to send 2 sms rather than using short, wrong and nonprofessional style of sms to save cost and reduce sms size to 1. (Had to remove the number and email so there is no argument.) The sms I got was:

"Is this msg true??

SYED DIET ATTA 4 SUGAR WT CONCIOUS& WHEAT ALERGY PERSONS GLUTEN FREE PCSIR APROVED AVAILABLE ALL SUPER STORES IN KAR ISB LHR& HYD 03XXXXXXXXXxxxxXX@hotmail.com"

Pathetic wording and style, please Mr.manufacturer get some education, i can not help. You please read and try to understand this misleading wrong publication. Don't act on this sms information but educate others of this spam.

Hope the readers spread the word and avoid these advertising sms and save their health.

Keep Smiling Celiacs !

Blog ?

2009-12-13T00:43:00.009+05:00

Greetings !Some one needs to understand what is a blog. According to www.dictionary.com a blog is defined as: "an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page".

The focus here is on "thoughts". I search, think and express. But its the serious matter of patients and their well being on which there is no compromise. All the manufacturers who have problem with my thoughts should fully understand that I as a patient and student of celiac disease, the new developments and the study of gluten free foods have the right to present my thoughts for the safety and health security of other patients and I will continue to do so by the grace of Allah !

So please respected manufacturers I have no issue with the products that you sell, the only thing is that due to your love of profits through misleading and wrong labels I will raise my voice and thoughts against the labeling. Awareness phase is starting, educating people not just about celiac disease but also about the products is the mission and is also written on the parent website.

So I request these manufacturers not to use coercive dialogues via email or phone.

Enjoy the next posts

Newsletter Image

2009-12-13T00:12:00.003+05:00

Greetings, I am attaching the newsletter's part which was emailed by the Pakistani Celiac Society ( www.celiac.com.pk ) a month ago to its members. It is important for me to highlight some evidence to satisfy some people who are not happy by my thoughts and comments. So have a look at the newsletter part written by Dr. Mohsin Rashid (Canada). The next post my dear friends who have celiac disease will be on the report analysis of the signaled product in this image on right.

Emails and comments from medical professionals will be included for the patients as eye opening information and the answer to the threats the manufacturer gave me on 9th December 2009, on my research on his false and misleading product.

Please read the next posts for eye opening information regarding "claimed gluten free" products.

I hope my quest to help all and specially Pakistani celiac patients continues without a halt and interference from the exploiters. Amen

wheat less or less wheat?

2009-07-22T00:53:00.002+06:00

Greetings, many of my coeliac friends ask me this question on how much do you experiment with taking wheat or gluten content, does it suits to take some or even how much time does it take to show the reaction if you have some prohibited food?

The question here in Pakistan is that one should be on a gluten free diet or after giving a break check the growth of intestine by destroying it again. Once diagnosed with celiac disease means that there should not be a single molecule of gluten in diet and wheat free or say to be precise gluten free diet is the choice.

So be clear that experimenting with gluten after diagnosis is slow poisoning and return to the pre-diagnosis state. All the betterment within ones intestines is flushed away with the satisfaction of taste buds.

The upcoming posts will mainly concentrate on ROTI and this is time to play with flours and make a combination of local gluten free flours to make or be close to the ideal gluten-free ROTI until the best flours and gourmet blends are readily available all over.

The title has been taken from article in canadian celiac association writen by Dr.Mohsin.

Diet Aata : Gluten Free or NOT!!!

2009-06-15T03:14:00.024+06:00

Greetings, writing in red in this post reflects my anger over greedy profit making, uneducated and careless upcoming "desi entrepreneurs"!
An attention seeking email from a coeliac fellow amazed me with the news that gluten free flour is locally available from a local manufacturer and at a local price. My all efforts of recent import for self use halted and I started my search on this.

At first I could not find the flour at the place pointed in the email. Then I contacted the concerned person in charge of distributing the "stuff" in Lahore and finally got hands on it. I was told that it is named as "Gluten Aata". As a marketing student first thing in mind was that the branding was totally incorrect if the target market is patients with gluten intolerance.

BUT it turned out to be named as "Syed Diet Aata" with the tag line:"Special flour for patients with obesity and diabetes" AND in the middle of the packing is the deceiving line :"Approved by PCSIR laboratory "

The labeling is very unclear and confusing. A customer like me, knowing that this is also targeted towards celiacs is bound to be perplexed over :

1. For who is the manufacturer making this, as the labels don't indicate my segment!

2. Diet flour and Gluten Free flour are two different things

And

3. What (????) has been approved by PCSIR?????

Looking for the answers I turned the flour packing and saw:
Ingredients: Desi (local) Wheat Flour, Gandum (wheat) ki bhoosi high protein (don't have any translation to bhoosi), low carbohydrates, calcium, iron, vitamin a and vitamin b included.
Now imagine the ‘level’ of person making and advising this label.

Labels on back side include "LAB ANALYSIS" in which I was interested.
In the last row it says: GLUTEN = NIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing, shocking, astonishing and what not. The labels use excellent "gymnastics of words" to trap the costumer. Being a patient for last 15 years I know that any kind of wheat product or its by-products are not gluten free. A product that is wheat-free is not bound to be Gluten- Free but a gluten free product is definitely free from wheat and other grains that have gluten content. No two goats should butt heads about this.

In my quest to inquire how is this flour made and if for the sake of argument, one believes that there is no gluten content in this kind of “desi wheat flour” , how can the patients make sure that the gluten content is nil or even less than 20 or 200 parts per million. I asked the owner of this mill to either fax or email me the report he has from PCSIR so I can spread the message so celiac can benefit from this not only in Pakistan but around the globe with such cheap (or may be the cheapest) gluten free flour (if proved from report) .

About one and half a month past I took these pictures but not posted only due to the time lapse from the manufacturer in providing me the reports. Till the uploading of this post I have not received any information or report from the manufacturer.I asked gastroenterologists in Pakistan and Canada about this and they were sure that this product may be suitable for those people with diabetes and obesity but not for coeliacs.
So beware of these kind of misleading products.

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

Pakistani Celiac Soceity

2009-06-05T01:50:00.002+06:00

Greetings, the proper website in English has been launched with many more features for celiacs to enjoy and benefit from. It has added features of diet with subsections of availability and recipes. On the other hand first time in Pakistan celiac membership is being offered with time to time updates and advantages. The Urdu part of website will be fully launched and will have same information in complete Urdu for better understanding of people with gluten intolerance. Volunteers are required to improve information and take part in awareness. Join the membership online and help and get helped!!!

www.celiac.com.pk

its all new and better

Gluten Free Ketchup

2009-05-22T23:25:00.004+06:00

Greetings, I had no idea that there would be gluten free tomato ketchup available, until i saw and tasted it. The ordinary kethcup's may have gluten based thickening materials used but for this specially made gluten free ketchup the story is different. Based on natural ingredients yet gluten free. Along with this it has less sugar and salt in it. Other company making gluten free ketchup is Heinz but also recommends users to read labels before use.

Walls Feast : Gluten free or Not?

2009-05-22T16:27:00.003+06:00

Greetings, tired of reading labels, one thinks some items to be gluten free naturally and consumes them. Without noticing that inside there is still a trouble going on with or without physical symptoms. As I was having ice cream at my university, without reading the labels a friend of mine who is aware of celiac disease holds my hand and brings the ingredients to my notice before i end up eating the whole thing and then experience the results. The ingredients of Walls Feast included "bread crumbs" which are for sure not gluten free. For most of our shopping and specially ice cream we never read the labels apart from the cookie flavored ones we are sure of to be contaminated. So the habit of reading labels should be developed from the day one gets diagnosed. This would help reduce accidental intake of gluten.

Some friends have asked about the pricing of products that are available in Lahore or Pakistan that are gluten free. the answer is that most things range from Rs 850 t0 1200 . I can not specify the exact price of each product as I am not marketing these things but supporting all people with gluten intolerance either in Pakistan or visiting Pakistan. Keep me and your self updated. Big Thing Coming Soon....!

Gluten free food in Lahore(update)

2009-04-26T14:24:00.003+06:00

Greetings, working on local food availability for Friend coeliacs and the indicated things by friend, my recent quest for finding new items turned out to be fruit full. Some local companies are getting aware on celiac disease and trying to cater the present niche market. Gluten free as part of branding is getting common and start is good and appreciable. The visit in this week revealed a new company for me as daali earth foods, www.daaliearthfoods.com and claim three different flours to be gluten free that include bajra, besan and brown rice flours. the website indicates the availability in Lahore and other cities and my advice is to mix a portion of these three flours to come up with a blend for general gourmet use(will try to update on the mixing portions in upcoming posts). Next I browsed the gluten free items in the "hot spot" Eesa G(Hussein chowk next to ctc, 5873507) had many different over priced items which include mixes from Bob's Red Mill having gluten free cornbread mix, hearty whole grain mix, chocolate cake mix, mighty tasty hot cereal and chocolate chip mix. The things I have used before and are available, include organic rice cakes that can be used for multiple purposes and fantastic rice crackers. At least both items are to be tried so one is not a laggard specially in the limitedoptions available localy. Pasta lovers can get Italian corn fusilli and make their taste buds cheer. So enjoy. I will update on other foods as i get hold of them. Upcoming posts will include some great tasting cookies and the special post on pita bread review. Keep me updated through comments and email if you get any news and information. Live and be happy.

Best Comment

2009-04-18T03:37:00.002+06:00

Greetings the following is the best comment on my blog upto date:

Dear All,
Even though i am not coeliac my self but becasue some one very close to me is celiac, i am very pleased to see this blog. I want to have a word to all those people whose closed ones does have this problem, please remember you have a very special responsibility while your closed ones fight this problem. This responsibility is both in terms of your indivisual effort and also collectively as part of the society. Here, let me enumerate what i have found out in this regard.
1. Treat the celiac patient as normally as you can. Dont give them a feeling of isolation which could lead to stress anxiety and social isolation.
2. If any of your freinds and faimly is having this problem, please do not pin point it in social gatherings.
3. Try to adjust your dine outs, picnics and party menues according to the patient without making much fuss.
4. Keep them as much happy as you can. Believe me it helps in their condition.
5. If patient is a girl in our society it could be that much more difficult in matrimonial arrangments. Please, always mention this fact if such arrangments are underway to avoid later confusions. Taking people in confidence is very important in such matters.

In the end, our biggest help would be to make small adjustments to our behaviours and way of life. These small adjustments would mean alot to Celiacs.

Gluten Free food in Peshawar

2009-03-24T22:06:00.004+05:00

Greetings, with much concern and availability issue of gluten/wheat free food in Pakistan now I am concentrating what and were is available in gluten free. Soon will be able to guide most coeliacs in major cities from where they can get gluten free items. In this post Peshawar is under consideration and the maximum information available will be made available. If you have any further detail do leave a comment and will add it for other readers. Starting from

Jan's Arcade Islamia road (opposite to Chen One) Peshawar cantt. have:

1.Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Biscuits

2. Gluten Free Vermicili White Rice noodles and/or Thai brown noodles

3. Thai gluten free sauces

At Avon Super Store, Spogmay Plaza, University road:

1. Gluten free salad dressing is available

and at

Ahmed's Mart, near Jawad Towers also at University road has:

1. Gluten Free marshmallows(in more than one flavour)

All information has been contributed by a dedicated coeliac for helping all others.

Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology

2009-03-09T19:16:00.003+05:00

Greetings, new developments can be seen in Pakistan and research in other parts of world on celiac disease. The recent Silver Jubilee Congress of Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology at Lahore points to one. The conference apart from having doctors present on various gastrology linked diseases the special part for me was from Dr.Mohsin Rashid who came from Canada to present on "management of celiac disease". This was about the basics of celiac sprue on which he highlighted and the management of this condition on ground which is absent in Pakistan. I would be posting some further details of presentation soon. The first thing to be done includes massive awareness campaign for celiac disease in Pakistan through doctors and patients. For this thing we need help from all the patients who read this blog and are based in any city of Pakistan. As the awareness spreads it would help organize and educate patients about gluten free lifestyle and food availability. Interested people should email or leave a comment. Soon registration for the society would start and will be posted to inform before it starts. The minimum contribution that is required from all coeliacs is to register. Thus helping each other would be easier. Hoping it works well with time. Keep your selfs updated.

Breakfast Essential: Bread

2009-03-03T00:57:00.005+05:00

Greetings, every one on a strict gluten free diet experiences breakfast option vacuum. As a result they try to make bread from available flours. But practically it is baked into a simple flat cake looking and tasting thing! So most of us loose the most important meal of the day. But if available gluten free bread makes the perfect gap filling product. I have been using different type of gluten free breads and they actually taste special. Mainly due to change in basic ingredient i.e. flour. Gluten free breads are made from rice flours( brown or white) and with the use of Xanthan Gum mentioned previously. The slice shape is not the same as of the local wheat flours bread. Its a little small and of a darker shade. Mostly harder than the wheat breads soft slice. I have experienced breads from both Free From and Ener-G foods. Both are of competing taste and subjective. Recent supply included the white rice loaf as always preferred due to its better taste and softness compared to the brown rice loaf. The brown rice is more like the locally made brown bread with a lot more fibre in it. Mostly air tight packing and placed in fridge these breads survive our hot humid environment easily. Accompanied with an oxygen absorber makes them last longer providing same great taste with time. One thing as a tip before buying is to take advantage of longer expiry dates. These loafs need to be toasted and pressed well before eating especially if taken out of fridge. This makes them soft thus becomes easy to chew. I always prefer the white bread or the named white rice loaf. Sometimes available at the local stores like Eesa G. I have also experienced the fibre bread called gluten free bread from D-Watson Islamabad but its both difficult to chew and swallow. It tasted like old dried naan. Naan also called bread in some parts of world is also available within gluten free product line in UK. It is more like pitta bread than naan itself but increases options available. So one can take advantage of these items. Soon will be writing on my gluten free roti making. Enjoy!

Biscuits that I like...

2009-03-01T23:57:00.017+05:00

Greetings, local biscuit industry has developed in recent years coming up with better and novel products. But for coeliacs they are not use full. Thus relying on foreign supply of cookies and biscuits provides great quality and taste but limited quantity. I have been using products in this category mostly from companies based in UK. Every single bite becomes memory for taste buds. With research and development there have been good tasting biscuits which include: Bourbon Biscuits, Chocolate Digestives, Golden Crunch Biscuits and Coconut Cookies. All these are subjective in taste and may not be preferred by all readers. I my self did not liked the ginger cookies as they tasted horrible. Even my African Grey didn't ate it. All others taste awesome especially with tea or milk. Another which is desired much often are the Free From Chocolate Chip Cookies, these go beyond every other biscuit in flavor and aroma. I would be listing which of these are available locally. Upcoming are breads and the making of gluten free roti.

All helping or not?

2009-03-01T03:33:00.004+05:00

Greetings, I have been visiting websites and blogs regarding celiac sprue. I managed to differentiate some of these with respect to their context either on gluten free lifestyles, recipes or others with scientific facts. But the main focus of individual is either to help or publicize and do business. My friends working on both agendas are welcomed and supported anyhow. Specially Pakistani fellows either patients or professionals working for creating awareness in our part of world do a great job and are appreciated for their effort. Regardless of the fact that behind the picture what their motives are. Most patients either diagnosed or not in our country are not well aware and this lack of knowledge causes problems. Thus in today's time creating awareness is the main motive and I respect the management of www.celiac.pk for it. Dr Mohsin Rashid is doing a great job on this purpose along with the comprehensive brochure he has published and distributed in Pakistani hospitals. Another important feature of this website is the availability of all material in Urdu, which is supportive for a most common visitors. His efforts make me more active and thus will be creating more awareness regarding every possible detail from food to doctors.Inshallah.

Nestle Milo: Gluten Free or Not?

2009-01-21T16:52:00.005+05:00

Greetings, with limited available options of gluten free food in Pakistan still one is always cautious on every thing. Most of us have tried the famous Nestle Milo, the chocolate flavoured milk drink. Although I like it but would from now advice every one who is on a strict gluten free diet to avoid it. As incomplete labels do not reveal about the products gluten free nature, my search ends on the conclusion that its not gluten free: The Wikipedia says that it is a milk beverage with chocolate and malt. Now most websites containing list of allowed and not allowed gluten free food guide that malted milk should be avoided by coeliacs. For example http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T112792.html . Thus I request all my coeliac friends to always check labels and ingredients, if you find anything that is not clear leave the product and don't play with your health. Great biscuit reviews coming up....

Xanthan Gum

2008-11-01T21:37:00.003+05:00

Greetings, hope that gluten free lifestyle is getting better day by day. Regarding gluten free cooking one needs to keep in mind that gluten free flours are different from the regular ones. Not only in taste but also in their properties of colour and their behaviour due to their difference in nature from common flours. So to ensure hassle free cooking and playing with different recipes their is a magical ingredient called "Xanthan Gum". Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener, suspending agent, bodying agent or foam enhancer in foods. It is a key ingredient in gluten free baking. One thing from personal experience is that our regular flour is more sticky than the gluten free flour. In start while making the regular "ROTI" it broke into smaller parts like you may have experienced the corn flour or gram(besan) flours roti but with the use of gum it was one whole thing like the regular flours. Thus the sticking property of Xanthan gum allows one to cook different things like breads, cakes and pizza etc without affecting desired taste and shape. Regarding the local availability I still do not have any source. But its available with the Ener-G foods also mentioned in the last post. Soon i will be posting an interesting recipe using some ingredients I have already highlighted. If any of you get hold to information or update on any topic regarding gluten free life style email me or leave a comment. So enjoy and be happy.

Flour Information

2008-10-27T16:14:00.012+06:00

Greetings, before moving to other interesting recipes I wanted my friends to know what type of flour I use. In start I used corn flour and gram flour( known as Besan in Urdu). But both did not turn out to be the best for cooking purposes as one can use the regular wheat flour. Eventually Allah granted the gluten free flour as a blessing.I have tried several different types of gluten free flour but generally I use the following types:

One that I use regularly is the Ener-G Foods from US. Its their famous Guten Free Gourmet Blend. I have not encountered any place offering this particular flour any where in Pakistan. Its available at http://www.ener-g.com/ .

The second type is the Doves Farm from UK is their Gluten Free Plain Flour Blend. It has a little different taste from the Ener-G foods one. Both are excellent in cooking. It can be checked along with their other products at http://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/ .This Doves Farm flour is available at the Esa-g stores in Islamabad and Lahore(contact numbers in previous posts).

So following this post the recipes involve the use of flour thus wanted to highlight the major ingredient. Hope most Pakistani readers get help and find out about more products soon. So keep checking ,commenting and let me know if any more information you need.

Biscuit Alaska

2008-10-16T19:00:00.008+06:00

Made by someone really special to me!
Greetings, for the first recipe i have chosen the easiest thing in terms of availability time and the making itself. So starting from ingredients :

1) Sin Gluten Gullon chocolate cookies 6-8

2) Vanilla ice cream 2 scoops or cups

3) Chocolate sauce

Method: Start of with the breaking of cookies into smaller size like the topping on an ice cream or simply smaller according to taste and like ability. Place them into the plate or the serving dish. Then take the ice cream (properly frozen) and "mount" it on the cookies. Regarding the sauce it can be home made by just melting the chocolate adding butter and sugar for required taste and then use it. For a better taste the home made syrup is preferred as it is more liquidated and suitable for the dish than the syrup. The other option is the available chocolate or any preferred flavour of topping or syrup. Place the chocolate sauce on the ice cream and its ready for serving. Enjoy the gluten free Biscuit Alaska!!!

Recipes with picture Coming Soon!!!!

2008-10-12T19:14:00.003+06:00

Greetings, getting on to ultimate gluten free lifestyle , so I am going to be posting some great food recipes along with their ready state pictures. These would include all the details including ingredients and the way through one reaches the final state of the dish. it will include deserts , starters and main dishes. So keep up with the blogs for the next post about a tempting desert coming soon. Thank you all visiting, appreciating and guiding well to a better coeliac.

Cookies Alert

2008-08-26T16:55:00.006+06:00

Greetings, getting over with just flour is not the issue. but one needs other things for taste and nutritional requirements. Thus side products like breads, cookies and pasta are important for a change. This product is from a Spanish company making almost three type of cookies. One that i found was great in value and taste. so introducing the Sin Gluten(Gluten free) Chocolate Cookies from Gullon. They taste good and make your tea time fun. Other possible use is as a cereal in breakfast as gluten free cereals are not readily available. It is available on Esa G(contact number mentioned in previous post) for Rs 370 but can be enjoyed only in Rs 180 from Victoria store on Model Town Link road adjacent to McDonald's. So enjoy and keep commenting. Wait for the upcoming posts with more fun things.

Gluten Free Products

2008-08-25T01:44:00.005+06:00

Greetings, I have decided to have at least one post per week as many of the visitors have given me the pleasure to sort their problems out regarding gluten free foods availability in Pakistani cities. So starting with Lahore there are a few places i know and have experienced them regarding gluten free stuff. First is the shop named Eesa-G and is in Lahore near hussain chowk gulberg. Do call for product availability and they also help you get from Islamabad outlet or directly from UK. Their local number is 042-5873507. It may take them time to check in store availability. So please be ready for this and keep in mind they are really expensive!!! keep reading a new cookie review that is readily available on another store is coming up! Enjoy Gluten Free lifestyle.

Killing without Labels

2008-05-28T01:28:00.003+05:00

Greetings, being so angry that i want to sue and get ALL FOOD MANUFACTURERS (specially Kellogg's) punished for not mentioning properly that their products are Gluten Free or not. Imagine the damage we Coeliacs have and are facing only due to negligence of these manufactures. Using malted flavours does not mean that one does not mention a small word i.e. Gluten Free on the packing. Being in a developing country with lack of available products if we are being supplied with products without clear mentioning than were should we go. I mean there should be body making all products to be labelled and checked. Giving details on respective web pages does not mean one will counter check the web page before buying ,instead it should be there on the product or packing itself! What can be the done? Its morally shameful for all you manufacturers only caring about profits and not about peoples life's being poisoned slowly!!!

2008-05-25T16:06:00.003+05:00

Greetings, spending some time on searching a solution to celiac disease or gluten free living and being healthy, i came across a word having some ray of hope in future. That is the use of "Alternate Medicine" for getting a cure. Accepting the fact that today's science and medical research is far ahead of all other type of medicine but the clicking thing is that other or alternative ways do have some effect in their respected fields. Thus now apart from the latest research work being carried out by our allopathic medicine I would be providing details on the work being done in Alternative medicine side. Do look out for the upcoming posts. Live your life!!

Language Problem

2008-04-23T16:04:00.003+05:00

Greetings, it was not good to be posting for a long time.All due to language problem.I recieved some food items from korea and was not sure of the allergy advice and ingredients on them as it was not in english or urdu.The source confirmed me that neither of the products recieved had gluten or wheat in any form. But it all went to a severe loss after years of stay away policy.After all one learns from experience and it is better to learn from others experience. Thus i would advice all my coleiac friends that until one is 100% sure about the ingredients "DO NOT TRY!" This time the symptoms were not severe but the overall effect was visible and i could feel the terrible weakness amongst other factors. So i am paying the price ,but you should not.

come back!

2008-03-18T15:29:00.002+05:00

Greetings,it has been long when i posted my last thoughts.Being in great depression as one experiences after great level of stay away scheme from gluten and food with gluten.Being in a place with lack of availability i still consider my self as the most lucky and prestigious of coeliac in Pakistan and probably in world as Allah(SWT) is making ways for my living through different channels.This brings my temporary anger and frustration to a halt so making me relax.After all life is like that.So i will be posting some more food review and ways to get them here.Only thing i need is your support by commenting on my posts specially from my "coeliac" friends in Pakistan. So keep on visiting for new tips and food sources.Live happily!!

Chocolate sponge Pudding

2008-02-05T18:50:00.000+05:00

Greetings i have been looking for interesting and great tasting food.Specially for the people in Pakistan,who are worried about gluten free food availability.I came accross with this new item named as Chocolate Sponge Pudding from Tesco as a gift.The packing mentioned every detail about the product including the heating methods. Just few seconds of microwave required and the pudding is ready to feast.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Review

2008-01-19T01:25:00.001+05:00

Greetings,its time for some mouth watering content to be read!As I mentioned in my last post that some of the favourite food reviews are coming,so the first is on chocolate chip cookies from TESCO.Its sold as pack of nine cookies.The sub-brand "free from" clearly indicates that these are "wheat-free","gluten-free" and "milk-free".So all people with either gluten or lactose intolerance, good news that you can now have cookies.Specially made from rice flour and having great chocolate chips,the rich taste is mouth tempting that one can not resist.The special thing about these is that not only they are gluten free but the magical taste is worth spending money on.These are easily available in Lahore and Islamabad and have a long have about two months expiry time.So check the picture and try to have them.Till then wait for the other delicious reviews.

Surprise for lahorites

2008-01-14T16:58:00.000+05:00

Greetings, it has been long since my last post.But wanted to give all those friends a great surprise.Waiting for the day to tell that there is after all gluten free food available in Lahore and Islamabad.Before unleashing the secret i would like to tell another good news that I'm going to be reviewing different gluten free foods in my next posts.Which include breads,cookies, pitta bread and a lot more.For my friends its the shop named ESSA GEE in Lahore and Islamabad which has to say many things gluten free.All are imported from UK and they are a bit expensive.To be on the coeliac side they aren't!So have a great gluten free day.

New Year ,New Oaths

2007-12-27T23:50:00.000+05:00

Greetings,years come and pass and life is all about that.One must be ready for future challenges and get him/her self for the upcoming times.So as the new year approaches we must be ready for another GLUTEN FREE YEAR.Its not for days or months but for years to come!We must re-new our oath subscriptions of gluten free living style.Not to forget that every thing should be in gf style for us!Thus new year bringing new oaths of "strict gluten free diet" no matter how tempting the foods are!!This is not an advice but its like a statement for all my coeliac friends out there!keep me up to date with your valuable comments and i will be soon giving links for my Pakistani viewers to find gluten free food in Lahore ,Islamabad and Karachi.With other cities on my list and more enjoyable recipes to come...

GLUTEN-FREE CELEBRATIONS

2007-12-21T22:49:00.000+05:00

Greetings,Eid Mubarik and Happy Christmas to all my friends.On these special occasions one is happy and should be, But as usual the family gatherings bring a little trouble along for the new coeliacs.The fact is that one tends to move and is attracted towards the wheat food present for others on these special feasts.The magnetic forces of delicious food(not as much as gluten-free) pull along with the most dangerous phenomenon of family policy, i.e. many members in family support the coeliacs to have some or at least taste some prohibited food as it is a "special" day.But my friends all these factors are poisonous and harmful having long term devastating effects.I have undergone through these things thus Strongly Advice all coeliacs out there to be vigilant and protective and have all the fun with Gluten-Free stuff ONLY!so enjoy and have fun!!

Start up and Work out

2007-12-18T17:37:00.001+05:00

"Don't have time for that!"
we all say this often and probably every day to some one else or even ourselves.Mostly when we need time for our own betterment.Its just a few minutes and the effect is of life long.But we only see the present scenario not the future perspective.So we all must take some time out for having great days.The fact workout in every ones life is "so" important that we don't consider it.Having a ten minute walk can make you feel happy,easy and feeling bored or even lazy goes off!Consider a ten minute walk,jog or sprint can make you feel in air(light) or you stay away from blood pressure, excess fat and all those heavy duty exercises one has to undergo for reducing that bowed out tummy.My experience says that one should "at least" take a few minutes out of their very busy life for a bright and healthy future!

Signs and Symptoms

2007-12-15T14:28:00.000+05:00

Greetings,the most common signs and symptoms one experiences before the diagnosis of Celiac Sprue are:abdominal ache,weakness,weight loss, lack of energy and some may have skin rashes(as this condition is for dermatologists).On my part I being a school going kid used to complain my parents about abdominal ache and they noticed that I not increasing in height and have "real" grey-black dark circles.Having checked my multiple physicians I came up with the proposal of biopsy.This in turn cleared all the other possibilities and confirmed me with a strict Gluten Free diet.Still I say one should "STAY AWAY" from gluten in case diagnosed with sprue as it may become lethal.I some time really feel slow and low if there is some lack of care in diet and this is alarming and visible to others.So every one out there should try to be responsive enough and do not conclude having CD after reading some common symptoms.HELP SPREAD THIS! LIVE LONG

My theme, My Story

2007-12-14T20:17:00.002+05:00

Greetings to all visiting to this Celiac Disease awareness blog.My theme to develop this blog is to educate people about this condition,and not to tell the same facts one can find easily on internet and books.I mean the biological points regarding "Celiac Sprue".On my dear reader Mr.Asif this is the story.I am the first and only person having this condition in my family(including all relatives). I had to undergo a Biopsy at the Sheikh Zaid Hospital in Lahore.It confirmed that I have celiac disease. Today if some one is not able to get biopsy, a simple blood test can indicate. I know many people in Pakistan and specially Lahore having this condition and I am in contact with some gasterentrologists and skin specialists. Its there! but most of the patients and even some doctors have some thing else in their mind. So do consult a physician before you reach a conclusion. Rest I will be posting food tips and detail for getting gluten free food in Pakistan which is primarily wheat free and gluten free. So keep in touch and sont hesitate to leave comments.Help Spread the Voice!!

For International Travels

2007-12-12T20:32:00.000+05:00

I came across a request via the comments box from Nancy, in reply I will be giving the details of gluten free food. That is I you will get links from where you can easily get Gluten Free food in different cities of Pakistan.The next question was about the travelling in Pakistan and getting gluten free food.I will be posting a picture which every international traveller with celiac sprue should have to easily get Gluten free food.The English Card is on the right as you can see it.The Urdu translation will be posted soon.This a traveller card for all coeliacs out there want to explore the world without any difficulty.Keep in touch with your own Celiac Society, not only for Pakistani people.

Think Green, Live Green

2007-12-12T15:26:00.000+05:00

Ever thought that why grass is green why leaves are green and when thinking of some thing like nature the colour which comes in our mind is always green?! Science proves us that by nature "green" is the only colour for which our mind does not have to think what are we looking at!Thus it is the most relaxing colour of nature.Thinking is the power which controls many of our things,thus we should be thinking in a way which helps us the most,not the other way round.Positive thinking can change the situation in which we are,"ACCEPT LIFE AS IT IS NOT AS IT SHOULD BE".If we think in this way the problems are gone!Thinking positively about the GF scenario makes a lot of things easy and we tend to find them supportive.So all my friends out there should first "accept" and then "Think Green(positively) as life is all about thinking green and living a green life!!

Lets get Started!!

2007-12-08T21:14:00.000+05:00

Knowing all the things one should take oath not to eat any more gluten and have a strict gluten free(gf) diet.Asking all family and friends for their support in keeping you on "track", one should try to avoid food stuff with gluten.On the other hand most gluten free stuff is more delicious and almost same cost of other general grain products(survey by people not having this condition).So not to worry about the cost and the taste of GF products.Once you start on with them they are your favorite and you love them by heart.There is a large variety of GF food available at multiple places and they all state things like :"free from" , "gluten-free", "wheat-free" and "dietary special". So make it a habit of reading labels ,contents and nutritional information every time even buying candies.Feel proud to be different and having such special things and knowledge.The picture on right is taken from another site and is only for feeling better and great of having this specialty in U.Its an honor having this shield!!

First things First

2007-12-07T19:44:00.001+05:00

Most of us feel sad and lamented as the doctor, dietitian or our consultant says: NO MORE GLUTEN(WHEAT). But let us not forget that our MAKER knows better than anybody else so HE made us in best form and the celiac condition is for our betterment. We should not think it as a disability or a flaw but should like it as God made us different and special.So no tension,no grudge and just Enjoy the gluten free life. I believe every one starting this phase of life is upset and has a difficult time adjusting to it,BUT by the time goes on one enjoys being a coeliac. So lets party in gluten free style and keep track of the upcoming guides , recipes and the food detail i mention for all my friends.

Welcome to all new Pakistan Coeliac Society

2007-12-05T21:55:00.001+05:00

Salaam, hi and greetings to all visiting this interactive society page.I was diagnosed of celiac disease back in early 90's when i was about 8 years old.I remember it was very difficult for all of us(me and my parents).As time went by things started to change as i got more and more knowledge about this thing.Today by the Grace of Allah i am very stable and guide people easily about the situation in which they are.Lets have a good start with all of you who visit and appreciate my discussions, analysis, guidance, help and new reports over Celiac Sprue.

Disclaimer:

This blog has my own ideas and opinions regarding gluten free lifestyle and gluten free products reviews may be subjective to some as taste and perceptions differ in all of us.

The medical iformation provided is based on my knowledge as a patient and is not supported my any doctor or medical board.