The Gluten-Free Guide: Navigating a World of Flavor and Wellness
“When it comes to a gluten-free diet, people often have many questions that need answering. We’ve broken down some of the frequently asked questions about gluten-free living. Find out about shopping for gluten-free products, the purpose of gluten, and more!
What does Gluten-Free mean?
Being gluten-free simply means avoiding gluten, a substance found in many foods.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a general name for proteins found in several grain products such as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. Of the gluten-containing grains, wheat is by far the most common.
What is the Purpose of Gluten?
Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting like a glue that holds food together. For example, if flour mixes with water, the gluten proteins form a sticky network with a glue-like consistency. Gluten also provides a chewy and satisfying texture.
Who Needs a Gluten-Free Diet?
People who react to gluten in their diet have coeliac disease, a genetic autoimmune disease. Coeliac causes the body to attack its small intestine, which is why somebody needs a gluten-free diet.
Some people, however, need a gluten-free diet because they have what is known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.
One must know which category they belong to as the two are managed differently and have different long-term consequences.
What are the Symptoms of Reacting to Gluten?
Classic symptoms include lethargy, weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, and bloating. Some people even develop a rash.
At What Stage in Life Do You Need a Gluten-Free Diet? </h2>
While often diagnosed in adulthood, coeliac disease can develop at any stage, from infancy to old age. It occurs in family groups and has a strong genetic tendency.
It is not known why the immune system becomes sensitive to gluten.
What Foods Have Gluten, and Which are Gluten Free?
Gluten is in a wide range of foods, from bread and baked goods to pasta and cereals. Gluten is also found in foods you would not necessarily suspect, such as salad dressing and soups.
Are Oats Gluten Free?
Oats can add diversity to a gluten-free diet, but research has shown that about one in five people with coeliac disease still reacts to pure, uncontaminated oats. Because of this, the recommendation is to avoid oats in a gluten-free diet. There may also be cross-contamination with other grains in the growing process or in the factory.
Shopping for Gluten-Free Foods
The most cost-effective and healthy way to follow a gluten-free diet is to seek out naturally gluten-free food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and seafood, beans, legumes, and nuts. Look for gluten-free labelled foods and read the detailed food breakdown. Some ingredients are derived from wheat that is highly processed, so they contain ‘no detectable gluten.’ These include caramel, dextrose and glucose syrup, and maltodextrin.
Gluten-Free Food Shopping Made Easy
Use https://www.myWellaBee.com to search ANY combination of allergies, intolerances, special diets, and so much more! Our experts have cross-checked allergen/dietary claims on all food products, so you and your family can make educated decisions and buy with confidence.