Gluten
Free foods and products have been increasing in the food market for the past
few years. This is great for
people with Celiac Disease, giving them more options and making their everyday
lives easier. Often people will
ask, should I try this diet? Will
it work for me? What is gluten? The Gluten Free Diet has increased in
popularity recently with celebrities backing it. Let me breakdown the basis of this diet for you and clear up
common questions.
~ What
is gluten?
- Gluten is a plant protein that, for some unlucky
people, may irritate (intolerance), annoy (allergy), or attack your small
intestine (celiac disease). - Symptoms are of a wide array including bloating, mouth sores, acne, diarrhea, gas,
bloating, irritability, depression, joint pain, muscle cramps, skin rashes,
anemia, and unintended weight loss.
If Celiac disease is left untreated it can lead to many long term
issues including weak bones, vitamin deficiencies, and nerve damage.
~ Should
I try this diet? Unless you have
or suspect to have Celiac disease the answer would be a big NO! Celiac disease is one of the most
complicated diets that, unless forced to (it’s a must if you are diagnosed), no
one should voluntarily want to commit to.
~ Gluten free diets eliminate any foods
containing wheat, rye, barely, and oat.
These include more foods than you think! Breads, cereals, pasta, tortillas, beer, communion wafers,
food with artificial flavors, and many more!!
~ Besides
being very difficult and time consuming, this diet also eliminates food groups
from your diet which ultimately eliminates vitamins and nutrients you need
everyday, including fiber and B vitamins.
There are suspicions that gluten plays a role in certain disease including
autism, autoimmune disease, and Multiple sclerosis. However, science has yet to prove this.
~ How
do I know if I have Celiac? If you
have some of the common symptoms or feel better once eliminating these foods,
don’t diagnosis yourself, contact your doctor. However, this is not an easy diagnosis. A Celiac Panel must be done which
includes a biopsy of the intestines.
~ In
summary, the bottom line is a gluten free diet should not be used as a weight
loss tool. You will only benefit
from it if diagnosed with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If your lucky enough to not have these
problems, GREAT!
If you do have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, these Grains
and flours are gluten free;
~ Buckwheat
~ corn
~ flax
~ legume
flours (bean, chickpea, lentil, pea)
~ Millet
~ Nut
flours
~ Potato
Flour
~ Quinoa
~ Rice
Bran
~ Soy
~ Sweet
Potato Flour
~ Rice
Other safe foods:
~ Plain
meats, poultry fish or eggs
~ Legumes
and nuts in all forms
~ Corn
and rice in all forms
~ Dairy
products, including milk, butter, margarine, real cheese and plain yogurt
~ All
plain fruits or vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
~ Vegetable
oils, including canola
~ All
vinegar
~ Any
food that says gluten free
Estelle L. Benoit, RD, LDN