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 is actually a mixture of proteins that is known to have harmful effects in the gut, especially for people diagnosed with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The common sources of gluten include wheat, barley, and rye. Therefore, the more common types of food where gluten may be an ingredient include pasta, biscuits, cakes, bread, and other bread mixes, to name a few. Since most of these fare are found in almost everyone's daily diet and are normally stacked in grocery stores, sufferers of Celiac disease, autoimmune conditions, and gluten intolerance often have a hard time finding food products that are gluten-free.
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.
People suffering from Celiac disease as well as dermatitis herpetiformis need to find healthy food options that do not contain any gluten. Celiac disease patients often suffer from a dearth of nutrients, since there is the tendency to omit different types of essential foods from their diet. Gluten intolerance may also lead to complications, which is why a healthy but gluten-free diet is very much needed. Fortunately, you can easily find gluten-free foods online, from nibbles and snacks to beverages and dinner favorites such as bread mixes and pastas.
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.
I do not always go without flour. There are days when I need some gluten-free flour products to fill the cravings of the past. I still love to eat spaghetti and that requires gluten-free noodles. I have found a great brand of noodles that cook well and do not compromise flavor. Then, I add a green salad and a fruit (if I am not too full from the spaghetti and the salad).What about dessert? Don't most desserts contain gluten? The answer is YES! It is more challenging to cook homemade desserts. They are not as moist as wheat filled desserts. Occasionally, I find myself craving a homemade cake or banana cream pie. This brings on a desire to begin a baking adventure. For these recipes, I use a gluten-free flour blend to replace wheat flour and coconut milk to replace dairy products. They end up being sweet enough to fill my craving for a flour filled treat.
We live in a gluten filled world. That does not mean that there is not an abundance of gluten-free foods. Proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are a great beginning, and if you get creative, gluten-free flour blends can replace wheat flours in all kinds of recipes. There is one tip that has benefitted me the most in the transition to my new diet. If the food is in its natural state, then it is simple to deduct whether it will work or not (all wheat flours are out of the question). This knowledge will help many to avoid perusing packages through long lists of ingredients and ease confusion.
Because of the potential hazards of processed foods, many of those who suffer from gluten intolerance have abandoned pre-packaged foods altogether. Today, there's no longer a reason for those diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to be restricted to preparing and cooking everything they consume themselves. National grocery chains are responding to the demand for products safe for those with celiac disease by offering foods distributed by wholesale gluten-free food manufacturing companies.
Okay, that's it for the lecture. What I'm trying to get at is how to omitting gluten from your diet, which is found in wheat, rye, barley and most prepared, canned or boxed, foods, is a smart diet choice for anyone. Most grocery markets now sell gluten-free products. Check the label. The tricky part is eating out. However, if you search around town, you will be able to find the right Italian restaurant that accommodates your dietary needs. Kalamazoo Italian restaurants are local and understand the want for gluten-free dough in their pizza.With certain diet changes, it is likely you are going to have to cut out specific foods; however, with the unfortunate rise in celiac disease, there has been a rise in the want for gluten-free food. Specific grocery stores are more health conscious than others, so making gluten-free pasta and breads isn't hard to do at home as well.
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.
[Gluten Free Foods]
Gluten is actually a mixture of proteins that is known to have harmful effects in the gut, especially for people diagnosed with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The common sources of gluten include wheat, barley, and rye. Therefore, the more common types of food where gluten may be an ingredient include pasta, biscuits, cakes, bread, and other bread mixes, to name a few. Since most of these fare are found in almost everyone's daily diet and are normally stacked in grocery stores, sufferers of Celiac disease, autoimmune conditions, and gluten intolerance often have a hard time finding food products that are gluten-free.
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.
People suffering from Celiac disease as well as dermatitis herpetiformis need to find healthy food options that do not contain any gluten. Celiac disease patients often suffer from a dearth of nutrients, since there is the tendency to omit different types of essential foods from their diet. Gluten intolerance may also lead to complications, which is why a healthy but gluten-free diet is very much needed. Fortunately, you can easily find gluten-free foods online, from nibbles and snacks to beverages and dinner favorites such as bread mixes and pastas.
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.
I do not always go without flour. There are days when I need some gluten-free flour products to fill the cravings of the past. I still love to eat spaghetti and that requires gluten-free noodles. I have found a great brand of noodles that cook well and do not compromise flavor. Then, I add a green salad and a fruit (if I am not too full from the spaghetti and the salad).What about dessert? Don't most desserts contain gluten? The answer is YES! It is more challenging to cook homemade desserts. They are not as moist as wheat filled desserts. Occasionally, I find myself craving a homemade cake or banana cream pie. This brings on a desire to begin a baking adventure. For these recipes, I use a gluten-free flour blend to replace wheat flour and coconut milk to replace dairy products. They end up being sweet enough to fill my craving for a flour filled treat.
We live in a gluten filled world. That does not mean that there is not an abundance of gluten-free foods. Proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are a great beginning, and if you get creative, gluten-free flour blends can replace wheat flours in all kinds of recipes. There is one tip that has benefitted me the most in the transition to my new diet. If the food is in its natural state, then it is simple to deduct whether it will work or not (all wheat flours are out of the question). This knowledge will help many to avoid perusing packages through long lists of ingredients and ease confusion.
Because of the potential hazards of processed foods, many of those who suffer from gluten intolerance have abandoned pre-packaged foods altogether. Today, there's no longer a reason for those diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to be restricted to preparing and cooking everything they consume themselves. National grocery chains are responding to the demand for products safe for those with celiac disease by offering foods distributed by wholesale gluten-free food manufacturing companies.
Okay, that's it for the lecture. What I'm trying to get at is how to omitting gluten from your diet, which is found in wheat, rye, barley and most prepared, canned or boxed, foods, is a smart diet choice for anyone. Most grocery markets now sell gluten-free products. Check the label. The tricky part is eating out. However, if you search around town, you will be able to find the right Italian restaurant that accommodates your dietary needs. Kalamazoo Italian restaurants are local and understand the want for gluten-free dough in their pizza.With certain diet changes, it is likely you are going to have to cut out specific foods; however, with the unfortunate rise in celiac disease, there has been a rise in the want for gluten-free food. Specific grocery stores are more health conscious than others, so making gluten-free pasta and breads isn't hard to do at home as well.
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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