A little teenage rebellion...

@dawnald (85129)
Shingle Springs, California
April 22, 2013 3:42pm CST
Dearra's elbow (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) is feeling a lot better since we put her on first a gluten free, and then a nightshade free diet. She's been a real trooper for the most part. Problem is, this is turning out not to be a temporary diet change, but a permanent one. And dairy comes next, possibly. She's not at all happy about it. She loves her pasta, among other things, and once you take away tomato and dairy, what kind of pasta sauce can you possibly have, even if you substitute gluten free pasta. She made it pretty clear that she is going to occasionally cheat. I told her she might be able to do that as long as it's not more than once or twice a week, at least 3 days apart. She thought she could live with that. As teenage rebellion goes, I guess that's not too bad. If you took all their favorite foods away from your teenager, how would they handle it? I really need to pull some recipes and teach that girl to cook....
10 people like this
23 responses
• United States
22 Apr 13
If she can find a gluten-free pasta that she likes, there are plenty of alternatives to tomato-based sauces. For instance, drizzle the pasta with olive oil and sprinkle with a spice blend (I'm a fan of za'atar); top with roasted veggies. Or you could make a "cream" sauce using a dairy substitute such as almond milk. There is also dairy-free pesto. Another way to do a "cream" sauce is to use pureed cauliflower as one of the ingredients. Pretty much any non-forbidden veggie can be pureed and used as part of a sauce with her pasta. She does need to learn to cook. Hopefully, doing so will help her to start to understand that there are still many great foods out there that are accessible to her.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Certain spices, like ginger and turmeric are known to reduce inflammation. I use turmeric in my Mexican dishes. I hope she can find good ways to substitute for her health.
3 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
I put some turmeric, among other things, in my "tacos" that I made Friday. No tomato, no peppers, and they tasted decent.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Apr 13
Sounds good. It could be a good alternative.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Apr 13
Check out this site that may help Dearra with the arthritis - can't hurt her. http://www.coconutresearchcenter. It may just offer relief. You can sign up for the newsletter and I did so today. Helps with alzheimer's too according to this report.
3 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
Thanks...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Apr 13
So many things to try. I hope she enjoys experimenting.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 13
Not so much, but at least she is open minded.
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@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Well, if she makes a really good sauce and indulges in all the "bad foods" at once maybe she can do that once in a while.It is especially a shame about the nightshade family as that also includes egg plant and potatoes. Do you suppose she will outgrow some of the sensitivity?
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I knew about the peppers and tomatoes, and just now I find myself wondering if all peppers are night shade family. I guess that is something that I could look up on swagbucks. I hope the dairy does not go as well. Is rice gluten free, I can't remember. I know that there are a lot of rice flour products and the noodles are good.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Apr 13
Yep, all peppers. In fact, I learned something when a friend had allergy testing. Paprika is used in lots of things for color and guess what? Paprika is night shade as well. While I was nosing around I found a green tea and mango concoction that sounded great. Cannot make a pizza from it though.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
it's more the tomatoes and peppers that are the problem, she's not a potato eater, and hates eggplant. Problem with potato though is that a lot of gluten free foods have potato starch or potato flour. yeah, I guess she could put everything in all at once when she cheats... I don't know about outgrowing it. The doc seemed to think that due to the age that she contracted the RA, chances aren't good that it will reverse itself.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
22 Apr 13
If you can find, and I know its out there, gluten free pasta, then even something like Italian salad dressing - if you can find or make it gluten/nightshade free - is pretty good on it. I have trouble with bought because it tends to have these little red specks of red peppers... I try to pick most of them out. I really should go back on a nightshade free diet, I did it for a few years, but it is SO hard!
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
22 Apr 13
The fact is that while we think tomato sauce is the ultimate "Italian" there were no tomatoes before the New World was discovered. (Unlike commonly thought, noodles weren't brought back by Marco Polo from China, otherwise he wouldn't have been giving them the Italian names.)
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
Yup, true, and tomato, potato and peppers are found all over the world now, and have insinuated themselves into many cuisines.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
I've found several gluten free pastas that are OK. She really loves her tomato sauce though. She's fond of Alfredo sauce also. I guess if he takes dairy away, I can try and figure out how to make it with soy milk or almond milk or something.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
23 Apr 13
I forgot to add something important. If she does not like the taste of the Coconut then it can be had without the coconut taste. I have no idea if this one is tasteless or what. You would have to check with health stores but please give it a try.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
23 Apr 13
What I have bought is the inexpensive grocery store variety, at Wal Mart, LouAna brand. I hope it works as well, as I enjoy using it in cooking and skin things. It is solid if the temperature is below 70 degrees. I am pretty sure it is not cold pressed either, it is too cheap. It fries things nice and light and crispy.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 13
I can use coconut oil for cooking also.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 13
I got some gluten free coating that I have been waiting to use, but certain people never want to eat it when I want to make it!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
23 Apr 13
So many adults in this world break health rules and to see your daughter attempting to take care of herself says a lot dawnald. I had some guests the other day. I had laid out a good spread for them but was disappointed when 2 of the kids (twins) in that group had to stay a way from whatever that came out of my fridge. My fridge was loaded and their mother did not let them go for those goodies. And because of them none of my other guests went for them too!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 13
Solidarity? Or setting an example?
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Apr 13
mean old parents...
@allknowing (130088)
• India
23 Apr 13
Neither solidarity nor an example. That was not right what my guests did specially because even I was deprived of my ice cream! If the kids have a problem they should handle it just as your daughter is doing.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
23 Apr 13
I think you have a sensible daughter, and she's being smart too, she is exercising compromise, most teenagers wouldn't know the word compromise if it came up and bit them on their behind I am sure if you research on line there are alternatives. I think most teenagers certainly wouldn't react the same way Dearra has! Good on her!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Apr 13
hiwolfie Dearra I think is a lot like her mom sweet and still oretty sensible too.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
She's not happy about it, but she sees the improvement in her symptoms, and she's not dumb enough to go and mess that up.
@GreenMoo (11834)
23 Apr 13
Perhaps once all these things have been eliminated, there will be a chance to feed some back in. And at the end of the day, it's for the sake of her own wellbeing. But I do understand how rotten that must be. I used to cut out caffeine and gluten occasionally to deal with a health issue, and although it worked it was a nightmare. I like eating! And I don't like to think about it! My partner should be on an exclusion diet but I can't make him do it. He's far from being a teenager! I actually think my actual teenager would handle it better than a grown man!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
It's hard. Yesterday her grandma brought a big old pack of chocolate chip cookies, NOT gluten free, and she has to look at them as her brother and sister eat them. She is being really good though, but I'm having to cook for her a lot more. Note: schedule cooking lessons. lol
@artemeis (4194)
• China
23 Apr 13
Stir Fried Vegetarian Noodles - Chinese stir fried vegetarian noodles
First of all, I like to reassure you that you are doing the right thing especially dealing with Dearra's rebellion where you are allowing her to occasionally cheat which I am sure you are praying hard that she does not. I believe she would have realized that she has come so far to where she is especially with the pains and inconveniences are concern. I am hoping that she sees the point in maintaining her discipline here. As far as the food is concern, I am wondering if those sauces and cheeses that you buy off the shelves contain additives and preservatives which somewhere inside there is unsuitable for your daughter to eat in the first place. Maybe, you need to really buy those that are prepared fresh which I understand is going to be pretty hard to find considering the time and place you are in. To get to the point, I am wondering if you might want to consider going Chinese where dishes are coming out from raw natural ingredients without bottled tomato ketchup or package cheeses or canned pasta sauces to bring about flavors. Dishes are simple, easy to make and most of all close to their natural state. Like your salads but are cooked to bring out flavors and again without those prepared salad dressings or sauces. Not only is Chinese food tasty, but it packs a punch of nutrition too. Rich in vitamins and often steamed or stir fried, a Chinese dish requires minimum cooking time and retain maximum health value. If you are not comfortable or ready to do a complete overhaul, you may consider a little fusion on your cooking techniques to adjust and adapt. I can assure you that it is much simpler and packs just as much punch in the taste departments. FYI, we have hundreds of ways to noodle sauces and garnishing. Check the link below for some good Chinese food recipes: http://chinesefood-recipes.com/ http://wokkingmum.blogspot.com/ Feel free to ask if you need any further information.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
It's quite possible that the off the shelf sauces contain preservatives, though I'm trying to go with natural brands as much as possible. I haven't tried much with making my own sauces, that's a weakness in my cooking, but I'd like to give it a go on a weekend when I have a bit more time....
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
Ps She got frustrated with Chinese food, because most of the ones she likes are breaded (orange chicken) or have peppers (kung pao chicken). She does better with Japanes food...
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Ha! My son goes into rages when the younger kids eat all of his favorite cereal.. then he gets mad at me for not buying more of it!! I don't think he could live without gluten and dairy since 90% of his diet is cereal with milk!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
Oh, you should have seen the explosion when Dearra went looking for her favorite cookies, and Cary had eaten them all...
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Apr 13
Now that sounds more like me!
1 person likes this
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
23 Apr 13
Hello Dawnald, I imagine how difficult most be to your teenager to change her meal habits. But she is still young it will be more easy to her to continue with healthy habits for her whole life. You are in time to teach her! Blessings for both... dainy
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
Now if I can only get her to exercise.
1 person likes this
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
24 Apr 13
Hello Dawnald I know what you mean. I made my teen take tennis lessons. The first months I had to force her. But as soon as she made some friends, this new friendships were/are the challenge. Now I´m tired of taking her to exercise, I´m waiting the minute when she drives alone to the club.
@vandana7 (98515)
• India
23 Apr 13
Aw...I can only feel thankful to god that I am not in your shoes. My neighbor's kiddo comes over, and says aam, which means foodstuff in his language. :) Now, i would be very sad if I cant offer him his favorite aam. :)
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
I am finding ways. Like the other day, I made her some gluten free pasta with chicken, and I mixed the alfredo sauce with the pesto sauce, and it tasted awesome.
• India
23 Apr 13
Thanks for this discussion, maha yogaraj guggul helps usually, you may try.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
Yes, I am going to ask the naturopath about it next Wednesday.
• China
23 Apr 13
It is quite a job for Dearra to abstain from so many kinds of food.However I haven't known people with arthritis have to avoid nightshade food before.You know over here we have a long tradition of using herbal medicine.So far as I know many kinds of nightshade plants are used to treat arthritis.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
He may put the nightshade back in and take dairy out.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Apr 13
Cook up some fettuccine as you like it (gluten free) then lightly fry some finely chopped onion and finely diced bacon. Beat up an egg, drain the pasta, stir through the onion and bacon then stir through the beaten egg. Add pepper and salt and yummo! You can add another egg if serving four people, add amounts of other ingredients as required. This is really delicious.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Apr 13
But when you stir the beaten egg through the hot pasta, bacon and onion, it coats everything and cooks like little bits of scrambled egg...it is NOT raw when you eat it. Trust me....
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
raw egg? I bet she will not go for that...
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Apr 13
Interesting...
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
23 Apr 13
That's got to be really frustrating to both of you. Getting rid of gluten would help a whole lot of us. It helps people with autism, migraines, celiac disease, bad acne, and I guess rheumatoid arthritis like you said. Companies are making more and more gluten free products. Do you know who Elisabeth Hasselbeck (sp.?) is? She wrote a gluten free cook book (she has Celiac) and it was a bestseller. Maybe there are some recipes in it that could help.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
I'ved heard of her, but wasn't aware of the recipe book. Right now, some of the gluten free recipes won't work either because of the nightshade thing. A lot of the baked goods have potato flour or potato starch, for example.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
26 Apr 13
Actually, she is doing pretty well, i think. As an adult, i would find such a diet difficult. A teen being naturally rebellious and given to testing authority and rules, I commend her for being at least willing to compromise. Many teens would be sneaking all the wrong stuff behind their parent's backs. I hope you find some good recipes to help make this adjustment easier for her.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Apr 13
The other night I mixed Alfredo and pesto sauce for her pasta, and it tasted really good. Course if he takes dairy away, that one goes poof. I had probably better be pro-active and see what I can find that doesn't have dairy in it too. (bleah) But yeah, she is being really great.
@much2say (53650)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Apr 13
That's pretty good she's sticking to the diet - I know it'd be hard for me! In a way I think it might be good to "cheat" . . . because then she could see/feel how much her body can actually tolerate some gluten - before the pain haunts her for it. So hopefully she can treat herself once and a while and not have to pay for it entirely. Glad it's working out! I don't have teens yet, but if I had to make an extreme diet change to the kiddies now, ohhhhhhhhhhhh they most likely would not handle it well!!!!!!!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
She did accidentally cheat two weekends ago. she went and had Japanese food, and didn't realize the tempura was breaded. Her elbow didn't get worse far as she recalls. So I think some limited cheating will be OK. I hope...
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Apr 13
Oh, I feel so bad for her. Teenagers love their special foods. My favorite food as a teenager was pizza. I could not imagine living without my pizza. I also love my Fritos corn chips. I think if she's going to cheat on her diet, that is the best way to do it.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Apr 13
There is some decent gluten free pizza, but take away the tomato sauce? Leaves pesto sauch pizza pretty much. And take away dairy. No pizza... :-( I do hope she is able to cheat every so often. but I hope she doesn't do it often enough that the RA causes her problems.
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
24 Apr 13
That seems hard for her not to be able to eat all her favorite foods. I love tomato sauce and can’t imagine not to be able to eat any of that. Even if I am not allergic to pasta, I don’t really eat them (only ocassionaly) since my country prefer rice over pasta. But I love tomato sauce, so I feel bad for her. I can feel her feeling not be able to eat favorite foods.
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Apr 13
I"m not sure what the final diet will end up being either. He may take out dairy next. But definitely taking out the gluten has been a help.