What is called a gluten-free diet is one that is adhered to by those people out there with celiac disease or for various others who have wheat allergies or intolerance.
There are other conditions which may suggest that this type of diet is important and these may include the likes of dermatitis herpetiformis, which creates skin lesions.
- And then there are various others who begin eating a gluten-free diet because they find it helps with their digestion, although they are not allergic to wheat or sensitive to it.
The Core of the Diet
The reason for this diet is to eradicate any form of wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, rye, and often oats.
- For those people who are diagnosed with coeliac disease, they should stick to the diet for the best results.
Along with not consuming wheat traditionally, as in bread, cereals, or crackers, people have to eliminate other additives to foods, and know about ingredients in many foods which are derived from wheat.
- It is vital to be aware if any ingredients have been contaminated with wheat flour, which happens if foods are processed in food plants that use wheat.
Foods which Can Be Safely Eaten
Luckily, there are lots of other foods which are available in a gluten-free diet that can be made into flours or thickeners to help bind food together.
- Breads and other baked foods can be produced from ingredients like potatoes, corn, some beans and nuts, and quinoa, a healthy grain.
In many cases, the gluten-free diet doesn’t restrict someone from eating most fruits or vegetables, meats, fish, oils, or dairy products. However, foods which are not made at home must be viewed as potentially containing wheat.
- For instance, a lot of sausages contain gluten fillers, and if there’s any MSG in anything, it will make it off limits to people on a gluten-free diet.
- One ingredient called maltodextrin, which is commonly employed as a filler, must also be avoided.
Home Preparation
- The unbelievable presence of the number of wheat by-products in so many foods makes eating a diet free of gluten a little bit time consuming!
Indeed, the majority of people should prepare their foods at home, where they can safely control the ingredients and avoid any contact with wheat.
Today, there are some companies which do make gluten-free diet foods, including a range of products such as bread (made with different flours), frozen pizzas, crackers and more.
Much Easier These Days to be Gluten Free
There are a number of good cookbooks which can help anyone on a gluten-free diet and which show how to prepare interesting and varied foods.
- And of course, there’s lots of information on packaged or processed foods which are gluten-free, including knowledgeable websites like Juvela, which are devoted to those living with coeliac disease.
There are also gluten free communities and lists of helpful services for those in need.
Simply go online and check out what superb services they can provide!