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08 July 2013

Gluten-Free Foods

By Ayman de Meijer


Gluten is a complex compound found in commonly used cereals like wheat, and barley. Some people are allergic to gluten, have a gluten intolerance, or have Celiac Disease. Its estimated that up to 10% of the U.S. population could have some form of gluten allergy.Gluten consumption for gluten intolerant people is extremely bad and could lead to many complex medical conditions. And a large percentage of people, though not gluten intolerant, have difficulty in digesting gluten. Many people in the U.S. are gluten intolerant and don't even know it. And many medical doctors misdiagnose gluten intolerant people all the time, as the symptoms are varied and different from person to person.[]

That was the same question I had when I began my journey. I was extremely confused about what to eat, since it seemed that everything contained gluten! I struggled with this concept until I gained some knowledge after doing some research. Gluten-free foods are those that do not contain flours such as wheat, barley, rye, etc. Once I obtained that definition, it made it a whole lot easier to shop and cook.

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.

After my grocery shopping is complete, I go home and plan my menu. It is easier to cook with basic foods and limit my flour intake. Gluten-free flours are more expensive and do not stick together as well as wheat. I have not completely omitted it from my diet, but do not eat it as much as I did in the past. I use three foods that are naturally gluten-free in my meal rotations. They are protein, vegetables, and fruit. Combining these three foods can offer a great assortment of meals.

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.

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.

If you are lucky enough to have a natural or health food store near you, then you are probably going to have a better selection of foods to choose from that do not contain gluten. The placement of gluten-free foods is usually different here than in mainstream grocery stores.In these stores, the foods you seek are usually placed together, but grouped by specialized type. I.E. Pasta will be in one part of the store, and will be broken down by wheat-free pasta, gluten-free pasta, etc. Same with the cereals, and so on.The first few times you shop for foods that do not have gluten may be frustrating, but each time will get easier. Eventually, you will know exactly where to go and you will get your shopping done as quickly as you did before you shopped for specialized foods.




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