ALCAT results back - more confused than ever HELP!

[Marnica]

I just got DS's ALCAT results back. This is an IGG blood test if you are not familiar with it. I am very confused and horrified that there are so many foods listed as intolerances!

Here is what confuses me: We got the enterolab tests done a few months ago. This test identified DS as being gluten intolerant (did the gene testing too, he had 2 copies). ALCAT says he has no reaction to Gluten, but identified whaet as a mild intolerance. Enterolab also identified soy and yeast as being culprits. The soy had also been identified as being problematic on a routine pediatric panel that our pedi did at his 18 month visit. The ALCAT test says soy is fine, I mean it's in the green column!!! It has yeast in the moderate intoleance category. Enterolab results said eggs were a-okay, ALCAT has them as SEVERE intolerance (the red column!) Those are pretty big discepancies. I really don't know what to make of it. How do I know which is accurate??? I was hoping this test would provide us with ansers, and all I have is more questions. All I know if that when we took out gluten, soy and yest, he really did not show much of a difference.

There are many other foods that came up as intolerant. A few in the severe, a few in the moderate and a WHOLE MESS in the mild. It suggests avoiding the ones in the mild category for a few months. I don't know if I can...I mean there are so many foods there. I feel like he is so limited already. I really feel like screaming....does anybody who has had these tests have any advice?? I'm going to go cry now.......

[mamafish9]

I'm sorry it's so overwhelming!

My suggestion would be to pull everything any test says is an issue for a week or two, and then challenge (keep dairy, soy, gluten out for longer). At least you have a list of candidate foods to start with. Some are probably false positives, and they may have missed a few foods too, but it gives you some guidance on where to start with an elimination diet.

[kjbrown92]

First, just to clarify, ALCAT is not an IgG test. They test for an inflammatory response to the food. Is Enterolab an IgG test? That could account for some of the discrepancy.

Has he been off some of the foods for more than 6 months? Because that could skew the results. My DS had been off milk and soy for a year and a half before he did the ALCAT test and milk still showed up as severe, while soy only showed up as mild (and it's still pretty severe). White potato didn't come up at all for him, and he's still got that one as well (I think he'd been off that one a year before the test). They missed corn (DD2's most severe) but were accurate on the rest.

I thought the same thing when I got it back. But we took out everything "just to see" for a few weeks. Each kid had about 30-50 foods and not the same foods either. But we did the rotation, and I was amazed at the difference in DS. Two years later, they've added about half the foods back into the rotation and we're still for the most part rotating (I've gotten more lenient on the green items, still rotate any yellow, orange, red ones that got added back in).

[rhesp1212]

I personally did not have a good experience with the ALCAT test on my son at all. He has a huge list of intolerances based on food trials, and hardly any of them showed up on his ALCAT test. The dr. told me that those reactions were probably IgE then....not so, all of his RAST testing and skin prick testing were negative.

When we went through the "green" safe foods, atleast half of them were inaccurate. The ones that showed up on his unsafe list were fairly accurate though. It's just weird how it missed so many of them. So, I don't know how much weight I would put into the test.

That said, I would still aviod the severe and moderate ones for sure, and maybe try rotating the green ones every 4-5 days to trial them.

Valerie

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

First, just to clarify, ALCAT is not an IgG test. They test for an inflammatory response to the food. Is Enterolab an IgG test? That could account for some of the discrepancy.

Has he been off some of the foods for more than 6 months? Because that could skew the results. My DS had been off milk and soy for a year and a half before he did the ALCAT test and milk still showed up as severe, while soy only showed up as mild (and it's still pretty severe). White potato didn't come up at all for him, and he's still got that one as well (I think he'd been off that one a year before the test). They missed corn (DD2's most severe) but were accurate on the rest.

I thought the same thing when I got it back. But we took out everything "just to see" for a few weeks. Each kid had about 30-50 foods and not the same foods either. But we did the rotation, and I was amazed at the difference in DS. Two years later, they've added about half the foods back into the rotation and we're still for the most part rotating (I've gotten more lenient on the green items, still rotate any yellow, orange, red ones that got added back in).

I guess my problem is I don't know what's what. I thought the ALCAT was an iGG test. I know they are testing for a delayed sensitivity, which is what I though was IGG. I know IGE is immediate so a "real" allergy. I know IGG is for delayed reactions and is more for sensitivities right? But IGG testing is still testing for igg antibodies in the blood right? The enterolab is an IGA antibody test. I find this to be quite accurate as if the antibodies are showing up in the stool, the body is recognizing the food as a foerign invader and producing antibodies against it. That's my understanding anyways.

So the ALCAT is testing for an inflamatory response but not for antibodies...so I would think it is MORE sensitive, in that one can have a inflamatory response to a food, but it has not gotten to the point where the body has started to produce antibodies against the food protein.

If I cut out everything, I honestly do not know how I will feed my already underweight DS. Did you work with their nutritionists? I know i need to take everything with a grain of salt and nothing is 100% accurate. I just need a roadmap of where to start and what to do based on the info I have and I don't seem to be able to formulate one on my own...I just feel too confused and overwhelmed right now.

rhesp1212 - Too bad you didn't have an accurate experience. Not what I want to hear after shelling out over 700 bucks!!

[kjbrown92]

how many foods did you have tested? I wasn't familiar with all the foods that my kids were tested on, but I became familiar with them, to avoid the ones we couldn't do. And I followed the rotation. I didn't talk to their nutritionists (I don't know if I knew they had them!). I thought that about my kids too (losing weight because they were even more restricted) but once the foods were out of their systems, they started eating more, so they've been gaining weight. DD2 went from 50th percentile (height & weight) to 75th percentile (which is more in alignment to where my other kids were).

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

how many foods did you have tested? I wasn't familiar with all the foods that my kids were tested on, but I became familiar with them, to avoid the ones we couldn't do. And I followed the rotation. I didn't talk to their nutritionists (I don't know if I knew they had them!). I thought that about my kids too (losing weight because they were even more restricted) but once the foods were out of their systems, they started eating more, so they've been gaining weight. DD2 went from 50th percentile (height & weight) to 75th percentile (which is more in alignment to where my other kids were).

we tested 155 foods...many of the things on the list is stuff he has never even had, but we tried to cover everything he eats on a regular basis and I think got those covered. We also tested some herbs as DS takes a bunch of herbal supplements. One thing that came back as a svere intolerance was chamomile. This is an ingredient in the blend of aloe vera he takes 2x/day and has been taking for about a year. It is also in several of the herbal blends I give him when he is sick. DS is in the 3rd % for weight as it is, so I hope he gaions and not loses!! he's 2, but wear size 12 month pants because he's so skinny!

I have an appt to talk to one of their RD's on thursday and we have a follow up appt with our ND tomorrow to go over all this stuff. I hope I can get some clarification and a plan. I feel like I'm drowning

[kjbrown92]

I'd been giving DD2 gripe water for about a year, and she ended up with chamomile and fennel (both in gripe water) as moderate intolerances, I think it was. I wonder if it was because she'd had them so much. List all the foods that are safe for us (green on the ALCAT, but take any off that were listed on the IgG test that you got done). And we'll see what we can come up with. I can figure out the rotation based on ours I think (unless you just want to put them on the rotation so that other people can help you too). Even things you've never tried before.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I'd been giving DD2 gripe water for about a year, and she ended up with chamomile and fennel (both in gripe water) as moderate intolerances, I think it was. I wonder if it was because she'd had them so much. List all the foods that are safe for us (green on the ALCAT, but take any off that were listed on the IgG test that you got done). And we'll see what we can come up with. I can figure out the rotation based on ours I think (unless you just want to put them on the rotation so that other people can help you too). Even things you've never tried before.

I'm confused....green foods don't need to be rotated right? They are safe right?
There are a number of foods listed in the mild category that I simply cannot avoid all the time. Tapioca and corn and oats for instance. Being that DS is off gluten and yeast, much of the gluten free stuff has tapioca starch of flour in it. Corn and oats are basicaly what he eats for b-fast. gluten free oatmeal and gluten free cereals usually have corn in there. Now that eggs are out, what the heck and I supposed to food him?? Rice crispies everyday for the next 6 months??? I was thinking I would try and rotate those things in the mild category that he eats regularly. There are some on there we can avoid with no problems.
I guess I'm not clear about what you want me to post and why!

[kjbrown92]

If you post the green foods on which days, then we can help you figure out things to eat so that you rotate them.

The rotation is to keep them from developing new intolerances.

He has symptoms, correct? And that's why you did the ALCAT test - to find out what the foods are? Then take everything out down to the green, at least for a few weeks, to get to baseline. Then you can add milds back in.

You don't have to use tapioca starch in baked goods. You can use sweet potato flour instead. If he's avoiding gluten, he probably shouldn't be having oats anyway. Have you tried Cream of Rice cereal? Hot Buckwheat cereal? Both of those are good. Corn is a big one, and one that was missed on one of my kids, and the other one became intolerant to it because I didn't rotate it, so personally, I wouldn't have that one every day.

Other breakfasts: sweet potato hash, white potato hash, buckwheat waffles/pancakes, curried chickpeas, puffed millet, millet porridge...

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

If you post the green foods on which days, then we can help you figure out things to eat so that you rotate them.

The rotation is to keep them from developing new intolerances.

He has symptoms, correct? And that's why you did the ALCAT test - to find out what the foods are? Then take everything out down to the green, at least for a few weeks, to get to baseline. Then you can add milds back in.

You don't have to use tapioca starch in baked goods. You can use sweet potato flour instead. If he's avoiding gluten, he probably shouldn't be having oats anyway. Have you tried Cream of Rice cereal? Hot Buckwheat cereal? Both of those are good. Corn is a big one, and one that was missed on one of my kids, and the other one became intolerant to it because I didn't rotate it, so personally, I wouldn't have that one every day.

Other breakfasts: sweet potato hash, white potato hash, buckwheat waffles/pancakes, curried chickpeas, puffed millet, millet porridge...

yes he has sxs...intestinal and skin. That's why I did the test.
Oh boy....well I can def cut out the red and orange things and MOST of the yellow things.. I hear you about the tapioca, but here's my problem. I know this sounds like an excuse, but here it is. I work full-time. DS goes to daycare 5 days/week. I don't get home with him until 6pm....our evenings are insane and I usually do not sit down myself to eat my own dinner until after Ds goes to bed. Last night I ate at 9:30pm...so I don't have alot of time, therefore I rely on convenience at times. I need something like cold cereal or instant oatmeal (I found gluten free instant oatmeal that he has been eating) that I can send to daycare for him for breakfast. I know there are some cold cereals that are not corn, like puffed rice or buckwhaet. I guess I have to focus on those. The tapioca is in things like gluten free snack bars and the bread mix from breads by anna that I found. as for gluten free snacks...I don't know what to give him, but the things I can buy...which contain tapioca. (this is aside form fruit which he already snacks on like crazy) I try and give him things that are more calorie dense because he is so skinny already. Also I still BF(but not alot), so some of the things on the yellow list, I may consume. Like psyllium. I take a fiber daily....this I cannot stop and no other fiber works for me so ???

anyway I have an appt with someone there tom to ask all my questions.... The rotation they included with the results include the yellow foods so I am confused I guess...which lately is par for the course

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by Marnica

yes he has sxs...intestinal and skin. That's why I did the test.
Oh boy....well I can def cut out the red and orange things and MOST of the yellow things.. I hear you about the tapioca, but here's my problem. I know this sounds like an excuse, but here it is. I work full-time. DS goes to daycare 5 days/week. I don't get home with him until 6pm....our evenings are insane and I usually do not sit down myself to eat my own dinner until after Ds goes to bed. Last night I ate at 9:30pm...so I don't have alot of time, therefore I rely on convenience at times. I need something like cold cereal or instant oatmeal (I found gluten free instant oatmeal that he has been eating) that I can send to daycare for him for breakfast. I know there are some cold cereals that are not corn, like puffed rice or buckwhaet. I guess I have to focus on those. The tapioca is in things like gluten free snack bars and the bread mix from breads by anna that I found. as for gluten free snacks...I don't know what to give him, but the things I can buy...which contain tapioca. (this is aside form fruit which he already snacks on like crazy) I try and give him things that are more calorie dense because he is so skinny already. Also I still BF(but not alot), so some of the things on the yellow list, I may consume. Like psyllium. I take a fiber daily....this I cannot stop and no other fiber works for me so ???

anyway I have an appt with someone there tom to ask all my questions.... The rotation they included with the results include the yellow foods so I am confused I guess...which lately is par for the course

You may find if you take all the things out of your diet (red, yellow, orange) that you don't need fiber any more either..... You never know. Rice chex is safe for us (don't know what other foods you're avoiding).

That's why I said that if you tell us the foods (include green only) we can brainstorm easy recipes for you, hopefully, so you can give the rotation diet a try. On weekends, when you have a little more time, you can make a double batch of something (like waffles) and then stick them in the toaster on busy days, or some crockpot meals so that dinner is ready when you get home, etc. Then add the foods back in, after you get to baseline.

They put the yellow ones on the rotation so that you know where to add them back in, when the time comes.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

You may find if you take all the things out of your diet (red, yellow, orange) that you don't need fiber any more either..... You never know. Rice chex is safe for us (don't know what other foods you're avoiding).

That's why I said that if you tell us the foods (include green only) we can brainstorm easy recipes for you, hopefully, so you can give the rotation diet a try. On weekends, when you have a little more time, you can make a double batch of something (like waffles) and then stick them in the toaster on busy days, or some crockpot meals so that dinner is ready when you get home, etc. Then add the foods back in, after you get to baseline.

They put the yellow ones on the rotation so that you know where to add them back in, when the time comes.

got it:

Green foods are:
Veggies:
Artichoke, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Green pepper, pinto beans, yellow squash, asparagus, cabbage, chick pea, leek, radish, sweet potato, beet, carrot, cucumber, lentil baens, tomato, black eyed peas, cauliflower, green peas, navy bean, spinach and turnips.

Fruits:
Apple, cherry, kiwi, orange, pineapplr, avacado, cranbet=rry, lemon, papaya, pumpkin, banana, fig, mango, peach, rasberry, blueberry, grapefruit, olive, pear

Meat:
all meats were ok

Dairy:
Cow and goat dairy are ok

Seafood:
Bass, halibut, scallop, clam, lobnster, tilapia, codfish, salmoln, trout, haddock, sradine, tuna. (I hate fish, but thave tried cod and salmon for DS. He didn't care for the salmon and was not crazy about the cod, but ate a bit of it. Some fish I will not give him due to contamination issues)

Grains:
Buckwheat, rice. (I know there are other GF grains such as aranath (sp??) but this was not tested)

Herbs/spices:
basil, clove, mint, parsley, bay leaf, cumin, nutmeg, rosemary, black pepper, dill, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, paprika

Nuts/oils:
Almond, coffee, hazelnut, vanilla, tea, cottonseed, walnut, caraway, flaxseed, peanut, carob, garlic, sunflower

that;s it for green! White potato was in the yellow zone, does this include red potatoes ect??? I assume it does, but just want to be sure. Basically all varieties of potatoes except sweet right?

Thanks for the help!

[kjbrown92]

First, was he

okay... I'll try to think of easy things for you....first of all, both your starches are on the same day (day 4) so I'd split rice out and do that on day 2 so you have some variety.

For those of you who don't have a rotation schedule but want to help think of easy food combos for a harried working mother:

Day 1: artichoke, celery, green pepper, chickpea, carrot, black-eyed peas, tomato, kiwi, papaya, banana, fig, mango, beef, cod, sardine, lamb, bay leaf, cumin, rosemary, caraway, flaxseed

Day 2: rice, brussel sprout, cabbage, lentils, cauliflower, radish, apple, pineapple, avocado, cranberry, blueberry, pear, chicken, tuna, pheasant, basil, clove, mint, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, hazelnut, garlic

Day 3: pinto bean, asparagus, leek, sweet potato, green pea, navy bean, cherry, peach, raspberry, duck, pork, rabbit, halibut, dill, oregano, thyme, almond, coffee, cottonseed, peanut, parsley

Day 4: buckwheat, yellow squash, beet, cucumber, spinach, turnip, orange, lemon, pumpkin, grapefruit, olive, lobster, salmon, trout, turkey, venison, nutmeg, black pepper, vanilla, black/green tea, walnut, carob, sunflower

Remember these recipes are to get you through a couple weeks to make sure you're at baseline, before you start adding in yellow foods. If you don't get to baseline during that time, then you've had a false negative.

So day 1:
easy: cut up banana, kiwi, mango, papaya, carrots, celery, green pepper; saute chickpeas in flaxseed oil; smoothie: kiwi, banana, carrot juice, ice
medium: beef pot roast in slow cooker with celery and carrot, water, and bay leaf... cook all day while you're at work; stew made with stew meat, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, sea salt (again, can be done in the slow cooker); ground beef patty on the grill; carrot fritter made with chickpea flour and cumin (takes maybe 20 minutes; my DS loves these, but DH fights for them too)
difficult: (only because it's time consuming, but you can do it on a weekend)... beef bone broth (very healing, and you can use it as a base for soups and other dishes); mini meatball soup, swedish meatballs

day 2:
easy: steamed rice, cut up apple, avocado, pears, blueberries (don't even need to cut!), smoothie: apple juice, blueberries, ice; pineapple rings, steamed cauliflower, sauerkraut (make some on the counter then throw it in the fridge; or buy Bubbies - great aid for digestion); cranapple juice; rice cakes; rice pasta
medium: roast chicken (slow cooker: throw it in with a little sea salt, and it'll be done when you get home; make bone broth out of the carcass in the slow cooker; great for soups); if you have bone broth, then chicken soup is quick to throw together: leftover chicken, leftover rice, cauliflower, basil, garlic, in broth; lentil soup; roasted brussel sprouts and cauliflower; chicken and gravy (thickened with rice flour) over steamed rice
difficult: aforementioned bone broth

day 3:
easy: raspberries, cherries, cut up peach, steamed asparagus, baked or boiled sweet potatoes, peas, sausage, bacon; smoothie: cherry juice, raspberries, peaches, ice; almonds
medium: baked beans (navy beans, water, bacon, salt), pork roast in the slow cooker (with a little cherry juice - yum), sauteed pork chops in cottonseed oil; sweet potato-bacon hash; ground pork meatballs, ham if you can find a safe one
difficult: roast duck (I say difficult because I've never done it)
you can use cottonseed oil, and almond flour and almond milk on this day
also we save our bacon grease and cook other things in it that day for extra fat

day 4:
easy: cut up cucumber, buckwheat waffles/pancakes (freeze extra for quick defrost in toaster), half a grapefruit, grapefruit juice, orange wedges; can of green olives
medium: roast turkey; turkey meatballs in turkey broth, buckwheat noodles (if you can find them), turkey gravy thickened with buckwheat flour; sauteed spinach; spinach salad w/ walnuts and olive oil/balsamic vinegar dressing (can you/he do grapes?), mashed turnips, boiled or roasted beets; boiled yellow squash; stir fry with cut up turkey breast, squash, spinach
difficult: turkey bone broth
you can use olive oil or sunflower today; if corn is out you can make your own vanilla extract

did tapioca and oats both come up yellow/mild?

[kjbrown92]

And yes, red potatoes are in the white potato family. There is a white sweet potato (I've only found them at Whole Foods) that are very close to white potatoes (for things like stews and mashing).

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

First, was he

okay... I'll try to think of easy things for you....first of all, both your starches are on the same day (day 4) so I'd split rice out and do that on day 2 so you have some variety.

For those of you who don't have a rotation schedule but want to help think of easy food combos for a harried working mother:

Day 1: artichoke, celery, green pepper, chickpea, carrot, black-eyed peas, tomato, kiwi, papaya, banana, fig, mango, beef, cod, sardine, lamb, bay leaf, cumin, rosemary, caraway, flaxseed

Day 2: rice, brussel sprout, cabbage, lentils, cauliflower, radish, apple, pineapple, avocado, cranberry, blueberry, pear, chicken, tuna, pheasant, basil, clove, mint, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, hazelnut, garlic

Day 3: pinto bean, asparagus, leek, sweet potato, green pea, navy bean, cherry, peach, raspberry, duck, pork, rabbit, halibut, dill, oregano, thyme, almond, coffee, cottonseed, peanut, parsley

Day 4: buckwheat, yellow squash, beet, cucumber, spinach, turnip, orange, lemon, pumpkin, grapefruit, olive, lobster, salmon, trout, turkey, venison, nutmeg, black pepper, vanilla, black/green tea, walnut, carob, sunflower

Remember these recipes are to get you through a couple weeks to make sure you're at baseline, before you start adding in yellow foods. If you don't get to baseline during that time, then you've had a false negative.

So day 1:
easy: cut up banana, kiwi, mango, papaya, carrots, celery, green pepper; saute chickpeas in flaxseed oil; smoothie: kiwi, banana, carrot juice, ice
medium: beef pot roast in slow cooker with celery and carrot, water, and bay leaf... cook all day while you're at work; stew made with stew meat, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, sea salt (again, can be done in the slow cooker); ground beef patty on the grill; carrot fritter made with chickpea flour and cumin (takes maybe 20 minutes; my DS loves these, but DH fights for them too)
difficult: (only because it's time consuming, but you can do it on a weekend)... beef bone broth (very healing, and you can use it as a base for soups and other dishes); mini meatball soup, swedish meatballs

day 2:
easy: steamed rice, cut up apple, avocado, pears, blueberries (don't even need to cut!), smoothie: apple juice, blueberries, ice; pineapple rings, steamed cauliflower, sauerkraut (make some on the counter then throw it in the fridge; or buy Bubbies - great aid for digestion); cranapple juice; rice cakes; rice pasta
medium: roast chicken (slow cooker: throw it in with a little sea salt, and it'll be done when you get home; make bone broth out of the carcass in the slow cooker; great for soups); if you have bone broth, then chicken soup is quick to throw together: leftover chicken, leftover rice, cauliflower, basil, garlic, in broth; lentil soup; roasted brussel sprouts and cauliflower; chicken and gravy (thickened with rice flour) over steamed rice
difficult: aforementioned bone broth

day 3:
easy: raspberries, cherries, cut up peach, steamed asparagus, baked or boiled sweet potatoes, peas, sausage, bacon; smoothie: cherry juice, raspberries, peaches, ice; almonds
medium: baked beans (navy beans, water, bacon, salt), pork roast in the slow cooker (with a little cherry juice - yum), sauteed pork chops in cottonseed oil; sweet potato-bacon hash; ground pork meatballs, ham if you can find a safe one
difficult: roast duck (I say difficult because I've never done it)
you can use cottonseed oil, and almond flour and almond milk on this day
also we save our bacon grease and cook other things in it that day for extra fat

day 4:
easy: cut up cucumber, buckwheat waffles/pancakes (freeze extra for quick defrost in toaster), half a grapefruit, grapefruit juice, orange wedges; can of green olives
medium: roast turkey; turkey meatballs in turkey broth, buckwheat noodles (if you can find them), turkey gravy thickened with buckwheat flour; sauteed spinach; spinach salad w/ walnuts and olive oil/balsamic vinegar dressing (can you/he do grapes?), mashed turnips, boiled or roasted beets; boiled yellow squash; stir fry with cut up turkey breast, squash, spinach
difficult: turkey bone broth
you can use olive oil or sunflower today; if corn is out you can make your own vanilla extract

did tapioca and oats both come up yellow/mild?

Thank you so much! That gives me a place to start. grapes, oats and tapioca are on the yellow list. He is going to be so sad to vcut out his gf snack bars..he loves those but they have tapioca in them.

What is up with sorghum flour and garbanzo bean flour. I know both are GF. Not sure what sorghun is but I know GB's are on ds's green list. I see these flours in wole foods. I looked last night for sweet potato flour and they didn't have it. I didn't see buckwheat flour either, but I may have missed it. Most of the gf blends have tapioca in them

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by Marnica

Thank you so much! That gives me a place to start. grapes, oats and tapioca are on the yellow list. He is going to be so sad to vcut out his gf snack bars..he loves those but they have tapioca in them.

What is up with sorghum flour and garbanzo bean flour. I know both are GF. Not sure what sorghun is but I know GB's are on ds's green list. I see these flours in wole foods. I looked last night for sweet potato flour and they didn't have it. I didn't see buckwheat flour either, but I may have missed it. Most of the gf blends have tapioca in them

sorghum flour wasn't tested for us. After we got to baseline, I added it and nobody reacted so we've been rotating it ever since. Chickpea flour is also called gram flour, besan flour, and garbanzo bean flour. It's more of a savory flour; in things like veggie fritters, it's great. We can't do any of the GF flour blends because they all have xanthan gum in there (corn), and they usually have rice flour (DS just got that back recently, on rotation). I get sweet potato flour from www.barrysfarm.com (only place I've found it). And I get light buckwheat flour from Bouchard Family Farms - it's carried in a store in NY, so I stock up when I go. I like the light buckwheat better than the regular stuff.