Reacting to brown rice, but not white?

[MaryCeleste]

I'm gluten intolerant, and have always suspected that I'm sensitive to other grains as well, but have never been able to identify the culprits.

Recently, I've noticed that I seem to be reacting to brown rice, even if it's well-soaked beforehand. I don't think it's just a digestive problem. The main symptom is that I get grouchy and tired within minutes after eating it.

The weird thing is, white rice doesn't seem to cause this reaction.

Has anyone heard of this?

[PikkuMyy]

No, I've never heard of it, and I had multiple allergies as a child and my mother has Celiac's. Wierd! Could there be something on the hulls that contaminated them? Perhaps you are allergic to some plant or pollen or even bacteria or fungus in the water that touches the rice while it is growing, but with white the hull is removed so this doesn't happen?

[MaryCeleste]

Hmm. You're right, it might be a mold or fungus problem; brown rice does attract those critters. But now I'm starting to suspect that large amounts of white rice are causing problems too. :

I guess I should just try going grain-free for a while, and see if that helps.

[MamaMonica]

You are not weird. I have celiacs and was intolerant of brown rice for over a year of my recovery. I could eat white rice as long as I didn't eat it every day. I still need to limit brown rice (and all grains as well) but can eat it occasionally now.

Large amounts of white rice affct me too (I need to have grain-free days and rotate. I can't tolerate quionoa, buckwheat or millet at all still and its going on two years GF. Corn is also a huge problem but I crave it.

[RAF]

I am gluten intolerant and don't do well with plain brown rice. Sometimes the rice is dusted with a "flow agent" such as wheat starch. They don't have to put that info on the package either. You have to call the manufacturer and ask. I too can tolerate white rice fine, but in limited quantities. I have also heard that *many* celiacs cannot tolerate brown rice. There is a celiac listserve that I am on that you can post these sorts of questions too. If you are interested, I will send you a link. Also, I can tolerate brown rice if it is fermented and made into a bread, but not if it is cooked by itself. I can give you the recipe for that if you like, it tastes alot like sourdough bread. Anyway, good luck.

[MamaMonica]

Rebekah, I would love that bread recipe if you don't mind posting it or PMing. It sounds yummy.

[Chanley]

This is very reasonable.

The reason being that the bran in the rice is VERY hard on the gut and having gluten intolerance would naturally make the gut a bit more sensitive.

We go white too and have given up on beans for now....

I used to go through 5-6 pounds of beans a week. I was a fiber freak....Now...we have none. Just lots of fruits and veggies for fiber.

[Missy]

I've also read that the proteins in brown rice are a little different and much more allergenic than the proteins in white rice. I know of several children who can eat white rice, but not brown.

Missy

[MaryCeleste]

Okay, good to know I'm not the only one, anyway.

Originally Posted by RAF

I have also heard that *many* celiacs cannot tolerate brown rice. There is a celiac listserve that I am on that you can post these sorts of questions too. If you are interested, I will send you a link.

Thanks -- I've been on that list for several years, but was reluctant to post this there, as I've found that the atmosphere can be a bit hostile toward those who challenge the conventional wisdom about CD (for instance, by suggesting that "allowed" grains can be problematic for many celiacs -- and not just because of a coincidental, unrelated allergy). Maybe this has changed recently. I'll have to check it out again.

Also, I can tolerate brown rice if it is fermented and made into a bread, but not if it is cooked by itself. I can give you the recipe for that if you like, it tastes alot like sourdough bread. Anyway, good luck.

Yes, I'd appreciate the recipe! I used to make brown rice sourdough bread and pancakes (using the recipes that came with my starter from GEM cultures), and I don't recall having a problem with them. I just got too lazy to keep making sourdough on a regular basis. :