Gluten Free Foods And Diet

By John W. Barker


What is all the hype about gluten-free? It seems that everywhere there is talk about this new diet. Is it a fad and a craze that will simply go away? For those who suffer from gluten sensitivities, it is an actual issue that can sometimes be extremely dangerous. No, it is not a fad or craze for them, but a new way of life and a new way of eating. To begin their lifestyle changes, they must answer the question: What are gluten-free foods?[]

Gluten consists of two main compounds, glutelin and gliadin. Its the substance which gives elasticity to dough and gives the sticky texture to the dough when kneaded. Gluten intolerance causes all kinds of symptoms including: headaches, migraines, exhaustion, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea, joint pain, and anemia, to name just a few. Any processed foods made from wheat, rye or barley should be strictly avoided.

Having ample servings of vegetables and fruits and cutting way back on carbs is a big step towards going gluten free. Minimizing processed foods containing complex carbohydrates can immediately help people clear up any symptoms they might be having. Processed foods like biscuits, cakes, cookies, and bread usually have a significant amount of gluten in them and will need to be cut from the diet.

Luckily for those who find themselves unable to eat gluten based foods, there are now many gluten free products on the market. Gluten free breads are available that are made of rice, millet, almonds, soy and other non-gluten grains.Rice is a common grain which is known to be devoid of gluten. Rice can be substituted over gluten based foods. Substances like beer and whiskey which are brewed with fermented wheat, are definitely gluten foods and should be avoided. Wine could be an alternate to beer. And there are now some gluten free beer products on the market.

Maintaining good health by consuming gluten free foods is possible, provided some supplements are taken to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These supplements may be unnecessary if ample fruits and green leafy vegetables are included as a part of the diet. But doctors and nutritionists recommend taking vitamin supplements no matter what your diet. Especially for women and older people.Going gluten free could also bring in a lot of other health benefits. Avoiding processed foods brings a host of benefits such as reduced risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. A well planned diet based on gluten free foods will go a long way in your quest for good health.But cutting gluten products out of your diet is easier said then done. Our society is based on gluten foods: burgers and sandwiches, pastas, cereals, pastries - those are all gluten foods and a huge staple of the American diet.

Celiac disease, autoimmune conditions, and gluten intolerance can be made more manageable by choosing gluten-free food types. You also don't need to rack your brains on which products to go for and which to avoid, which can be highly inconvenient. There are great gluten-free food choices to be found online, and now you can buy them easily without having to leave home.

Whether an individual has just been diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, or whether an individual has been living with the diagnosis for years, it's always necessary to be mindful when shopping for gluten-free food products. It's not only the protein found in wheat, barley and rye that can be harmful, but components of the protein called glutens as well. Glutens are widely used as stabilizing, flavoring or thickening agents in a variety of processed foods.

Celiac disease has no specific cause. There are plenty of environmental and genetic factors that go into causing this disease. The diagnosis is determined via blood test or small intestine biopsy. The small intestine is where humans absorb their nutrients. The main treatment is omitting gluten from your diet. Once this happens, your immune system will begin to produce the proper lining in their small intestine to begin absorbing nutrients again.

Many of these products are becoming available in the frozen food sections of local supermarkets. Shoppers will find an increasing number of safe-to-eat products like pizza dough and waffles showing up in the frozen food aisle. Among the newest arrivals are baked goods, including breads, cornbread and dinner rolls, as well as a broad assortment of delicious sweets, such as brownies, cupcakes and pies.Baked goods have always been among the most challenging foods to prepare and cook at home. It can be difficult to recreate the elastic quality of traditionally baked breads and desserts. Achieving the right texture requires special ingredient substitutions, from guar gum and xanthan gum to evaporated cane juice and tapioca starch. As more and more supermarkets offer foods produced by wholesale gluten-free food companies, shoppers can enjoy the convenience of purchasing pre-packaged sweet treats for themselves and their families.

Some traditional foods found in the grocery store frozen food sections are naturally free of glutens, but shoppers still need to check labels carefully to ensure the absence of ingredients containing them. Frozen vegetables, fruits, fish, meats and poultry with no additives or sauces are safe to eat, as are dessert items like ice cream and sherbets. Some supermarkets offer frozen foods in a special frozen food section, sometimes designated with a "natural foods" sign.While shoppers can feel confident about buying foods produced by companies that specialize in offering gluten-free foods, they need to be wary about conventional food manufacturers jumping on the celiac bandwagon. Some companies label their foods as "wheat-free," a label that holds no guarantee that the foods are safe for those diagnosed with celiac disease to eat. Foods that are labeled "gluten-free" are a safer choice.




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