Blog

1

This is my second time having seaweed (laver) to wrap my fish (I am making sushi without the rice) and both times I get glutened (I am gluten intolerant).

Why? On the package it says: Ingredients: seaweed. Nothing else.

Please do not think it is the fish or any other ingredients that give me this reaction. I know 100% it is the seaweed.

Any ideas?

flag
2 
Maybe you're not gluten intolerant but rather FODMAP intolerant? Seaweed has some weird polysaccharides that might be problematic for you. If this is how you feel when eating bread, maybe it is the inulin (a fructan) in the bread that is the problem and not the gluten. How does onion powder make you feel? – Jay Feb 3 2012 at 22:08
Onion powder makes me feel horrible. What is FODMAP? – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:20
2 
FODMAP = fermented oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols – MiMintzer Aug 13 at 3:45
1 
I know this is kind of old, but it could be bromine detoxing from your body. Seaweed is generally high in iodine and iodine pushes out bromine. – BoneBrothFast Aug 13 at 3:55

6 Answers

3

I have celiac disease and (at least at this point, about 7 months into a gluten-free diet/healing) I'm so sensitive I have to avoid foods processed on machinery that had wheat products on it.

For seaweed, I'm not sure what this could include: maybe soy sauce, maybe other kinds of food products. When I question a food, I find celiac message boards really helpful. Here is a thread about gluten in nori that should help you find a brand that is safe.

In general, since it seems you're very sensitive, you might want to stick only to foods that say they don't use shared facilities. It sucks, but it's better than getting glutened.

link|flag
1 
Try this thread, too: celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/52184-sushi – Sara S. Feb 3 2012 at 22:23
Thank you very much! You have been super helpful! :) – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:24
2

We get them from the Korean marketplace and have no problems. Where are you purchasing them from?

I know that they do add oil to the seaweed sheets, so if the ingredient list doesn't have some kind of oil in it, there is a possibility that there are unmentioned additional ingredients.

link|flag
No, oil is not listed. I am getting it from the supermarket. – VB Feb 3 2012 at 20:07
1 
Okay, next question. If you touch them do your hands feel greasy? Is it an American or Asian brand? Do you have any sesame sensitivity? – Laina Feb 3 2012 at 20:52
No, they don't feel greasy. They feel very dry. Made in Korea. – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:19
The brand is Korean and it feels very dry. After going gluten free I have developed a wide range of sensitivities. – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:26
2

Are you sensitive to even tiny amounts of gluten? There might be cross contamination at the packaging factory if they also handle gluten containing products. Have you tried a different company? No idea if this is the case for you, but I think it could be a possibility.

link|flag
1 
depending on sensitivity, this can happen. I speak from experience. Though it could be because of leaky gut in general. – Caleb the Hobbit Feb 3 2012 at 20:48
Thank you very much! You nailed it - I might have leaky gut. Need time to heal and I will try it again at some point. :) – VB Feb 13 2012 at 6:22
2

How much are you using? Seaweed is high in iodine which can muck up your thyroid and cause odd symptoms if you're sensitive.

link|flag
One sheet per meal. – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:24
2

I read that some seaweed/nori use fillers which are made of wheat

link|flag
1

As far as I know, seaweed doesn't have gluten. So most likely cross contamination, or seasoning. Are you using any seasoning? Is the seaweed seasoned? What brand is it?

link|flag
I never use any seasoning and the seaweed is not seasoned. The brand is Korean - not sure about the name. – VB Feb 5 2012 at 14:25

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.