Changing To Your Gluten Free Diet

gluten free diet Changing To Your Gluten Free Diet

Gluten Free Diet

LEARNING ABOUT GLUTEN FOR YOUR GLUTEN FREE DIET

Consider what gluten is when beginning your lifestyle change into a gluten free diet. Gluten is a protein composite found in foods containing wheat, barley, and rye. It gives dough an elasticity that helps in maintaining its shape. Gluten aids dough in rising when baked & often it produces a chewy consistency in bread or other foods made from it. This protein is insoluble in water, which means it can be purified, or bleached, which washes away the starches associated with it. Being a great source of protein, gluten is also used as an additive to foods that are otherwise low in the essential nutrient.  However, there are a growing number of known cases of gluten sensitivity surfacing. One of the only ways to identify certain gluten intolerances is through a gluten free diet.

GLUTEN INTOLERANCES

You have to life by a Gluten Free Diet if you suffer from Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease occurs when gluten proteins cause a person’s immune system to over act, producing unusually intense antibodies. After a while, the finger-like hairs that line the intestinal walls become worn down by this. Then, those hairs, called villi, can no longer perform their function of absorbing nutrients from passing food. Lacking proper nutrition, the body can be prone to serious and increasing health problems. Another form of gluten intolerance is Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). This form is more difficult to pinpoint because the blood test that diagnoses Celiac Disease does not show positive when given to someone who has NCGS. The only way to diagnose NCGS is through a gluten free diet.

GLUTEN FREE DIET – FOODS

paleocookbook Changing To Your Gluten Free Diet

For many years, physicians have misdiagnosed people with NCGS because there is no formal test for it, but as more and more people become aware of this ailment, food companies have taken notice. In most grocery stores today, there can be found an entire section of gluten-free foods. Of course, 100% meat with no additives and animal products are always gluten-free. However a person can purchase anything from gluten-free flour for baking bread at home to prebaked gluten-free bread, cookies, potato chips, and a host of other items lacking gluten.

FOODS TO AVOID FOR YOUR GLUTEN FREE DIET

Prescription medication may also contain gluten, so always ask your pharmacist. The following listed items may contain gluten. When you are on a Gluten Free Diet you should avoid them until you know for sure of their gluten content.

CHOCOLATE MILK
BOLOGNA
CHILI
SOUPS
BULLION
COLD CUTS
MEAT PATTIES
SALAD DRESSINGS
MAYONNAISE
FRUIT FILLINGS
PICKLES
MARINATED VEGGIES
SOUR CREAM
CHEESE PRODUCTS
HOT DOGS
MEAT SUBSTITUTES
CORNBREAD
ROOT BEER
SYRUPS
FONDUE
CANNED MEAT
PIE FILLINGS
NON-DAIRY CREAMERS
COMMERCIALLY PREPARED VEGGIES SALADS
CANNED BAKED BEANS
COMMERCIALLY SEASONED VEGGIES
YOGURT
CEREAL

GLUTEN FREE DIET & YOU

If you have been suffering from symptoms related to gluten intolerance, it may be a relief to finally know your diagnosis. However, the new challenge will be converting your way of eating into a gluten free diet. There are many premade gluten-free foods ready for you to enjoy, however gluten is in so many food items, the best thing for you to do is clean out your cabinets and start fresh. Make a list of things you must not eat and do as much research as possible on your newGluten Free Diet. If you are still unsure about foods to avoid, you can get a gluten-free diet cheat sheet, available free online. There are numerous gluten-free diet recipes and even entire cookbooks at your disposal.  Always pay attention to everything you eat and update your physician of any improvements or changes in symptoms. Remember, a gluten free diet is more than just a diet; it is a permanent change to your way of eating.