All You Need To Know About Gluten Free Diet

If you follow news, particularly about health and well being, you might have heard about gluten free diets. Gluten free is the latest buzz word in the nutrition industry. Pro-gluten free camp will give you a lot of reason to for it. On the other hand, some researches and reports warn against this diet. It is important to know about it before jumping on the bandwagon. It is never a good idea to blindly adopt a diet, even if the whole world is doing it.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten has been derived from the Latin word gluten, which means glue. It is a generic name for diffreent types of proteins found in wheat (emmer, einkron, durum, wheatberries, farro, graham, semolina, and spelt), rye, barley, and triticale (something like wheat and rye). Gluten is like a glue which holds food together and help it maintain its shape. Gluten gives elasticity to dough, helps it rise, and gives the end product a chewy texture.

Also Read: Super Foods – Healthy Way To Stay Young

Food That Have Gluten

• Wheat

Wheat is a component of bread, baked items, pasta, soup, cereal, sauce, salad dressing, and roux.

• Barley

Barley is found in malt, food coloring, beer, soups, and some yeasts.

• Rye

Rye is found in cereals, rye beer, and rye breads.

• Triticale

It is a new grain, and has wheat and barley like qualities. It can be found in breads, cereals, and pastas.

• Oats
• Many other items also contain gluten, they are often camouflaged.

Benefits of Gluten

Gluten does not only give elasticity and shape to food, it also has many other health benefits. It is used to make seitan, a meat alternative prepared for vegetarians. It is used to make faux beef, faux chicken, and other non vegetarian food. Gluten is also added to food to increase protein content.

Gluten is very high in protein. A 4 ounce portion of seitan has 50% of recommended daily protein. This means around 26 grams of protein. It is also low in fat. Wheat gluten flour has a lot of protein. Protein intake is vital for a healthy body. Lack of protein can also give you hair, ,nail, and skin problems.

Gluten is also high in iron. The amount of iron intake will depend on what you are having. A quarter cup of flour will fulfill 9% of your daily iron requirement. Seitan has a lot more iron, comparatively. An ounce serving of seitan will fulfill 20% of your daily requirement.

Gluten also gives you plenty of other nutrients. It does not add cholestrol to your diet, which is an added plus. It is also almost sodium free. Gluten also provides a small amount of calcium. So, basically, gluten is  a powerhouse of important, healthy nutrients which are required by the body.

Foods that usually contain gluten, like wheat and barley, are important components of a diet. They help lower the risk of different diseases like heart diseases and diabetes. In fact, it has been recommended that half of the carbohydrates in a person’s diet should come from whole grains.

The Demonization of Gluten

In recent years, gluten has been promoted as something you should stay away from. This is what gave rise to the gluten free diet. A lot of health bloggers, celebrity chefs, celebrities, and nutritionists have wrote extensively about the dangers of having gluten in your diet. The problem with this type of demonization of foods is that it fails to acknowledge the fact that everyone has different bodies. Some people might show an adverse reaction to peanut, for instance, and others can eat jars of peanut bitter without showing the tiniest discomfort.

The Celiac Disease: Where It All Began

It is a genetic autoimmune disorder where the intake of gluten can cause damage in the small intestine. It affects around 1 in 100 people all over the world. A lot of people remain diagnosed, and they are at a risk for health complications.

When people with celiac disease eat gluten, the body responses by attacking the small intestine. Tis attack can damage villi, projections in small intestine that are responsible for nutrient absorption. If the villi is damaged, body cannot absorb nutrients from food. The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet. Most patients report quick healing when they give up on gluten, although intestinal healing may take some years. Celiac disease is hereditary, which means it runs in the family. People with first degree relationship with someone who suffers from celiac disease (parent, sibling, child) have 10% chances of developing it.

Celiac disease can have long term health affects if it remain undetected. It can cause iron deficiency, leading to anemia. It can also cause early onset of osteoporosis. It may also lead to lactose intolerance and gall bladder malfunction. It can also lead to nervous system disorders like ataxia, dementia, seizures, and neuropathy.

Self asses yourself for symptoms here or go to your doctor if you fear you may have the celaic disease. A simple blood test is what you need to get done to find out if you suffer from this disease.

Awareness about the celiac disease is aroused interest in the gluten free diet. It is connected to the rise of paleo diet, which advocates eating like we did in the stone ages. It is about going back to how people used to eat in ancient time. A lot of people have gone gluten free not because they have the celiac disease, but because they feel good about it. Others have noticed improvements in their own symptoms with the gluten free diet.

Benefits of Going Gluten Free

Although gluten free diet was originally designed for people with celiac disease, a lot of other people are also adopting it. Here are some benefits of this diet:

• Anti Oxidants and Vitamins

Antioxidants inhibit oxidation. They delay cell damage. They have  alot of benefits, and can be used to prevent diseases. Antioxidants protect your body fro free radicals, which are harmful molecules. They also have a lot of anti-aging and beauty benefits. Anti oxidants are found in fruits in vegetables. If your diet has a lot of processed foods, chances are you are not having enough fruits and vegetables. Even if you are having cooked vegetables, there vitamins count will be low than their uncooked, raw counterparts. This is because cooking for a long time deplete the nutrients in vegetables. That is why it is always advised to either eat your veggies raw, or steam them lightly. If you go gluten free, you wont get the full feeling you get with grains. You will then reach for snacks like fruits and vegetables. This will keep your body well supplied with antioxidants and vegetables.

Also Read: Power of Antioxidants – Advantages of Antioxidants

• Weight Lose

Seems like half of the world is trying to lose the weight. Sorry, my bad, seems like 90% people in the world are trying to lose weight. With conventional foods like pizza, pasta, roti, naan, oatmeal, breads etc, it becomes difficult to lose weight. If you go gluten free, however, you will be cutting these out of your diet. This will also automatically lead to lower consumption of the complimentary food items like cheese, meats, spreads, jams etc. This way you will be cutting out fatty starch from your diet. You will replace them with other option that will not lead to weight gain.

• Easier Digestion

If you have digestive issues like upset stomach, gas, bloating, cramping etc, a gluten free diet will make it easier for you to digest food.

• Increased Energy Levels

A gluten free diet will help your body absorb nutrient better. Also, the alternative foods like fresh vegetables and fruits that you will be having instead will pump up your body’s energy levels.

• Help with irritable bowl syndrome
• Help with arthritis
• Improved awareness of food

How To Go Gluten Free

Planning to go on a gluten free diet because you fear you have the celiac disease, or for some other health reasons? Here are some tips to help you get by!

• Read Food Labels During Grocery Shopping

Packaged foods in UK and USA are required by law to mention allergens, even if a little bit has been used. Most of the times these ingredients are highlighted in bold. The allergen labeling will help you know whether or not that food item is gluten fee. So, when you are out shopping, make sure you check food labels.

• Use Gluten Free Substitutes

Should you give up on pastas and breads just because you have gone gluten free? No way! Choose gluten free alternatives. These can be found in supermarkets or health food stores.

• Eat Naturally Gluten Free Foods

Some foods are naturally gluten free. List includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, cheese, and eggs.

• Opt for Gluten Free Grains, Flours and Starches

Not all grains contain gluten. You can still have amaranth, brown rice, wild rice, white rice, millet, pea flour, potato flour, quinoa, cornstarch, corn, coconut flour, buckwheat, almond meal flour, soy flour and teff.

• Go To Restaurants That Serve Gluten Free Meals

Going gluten free doesnt mean you have to sulk at home while your family is dining out. Search for places that offer gluten free foods. Do not restrict your social activities because of this diet.

• Cross Contamination Is a Real Risk

Be mindful of your pots, pans, spatulas, spoons etc. Even a tiny bit of gluten can be harmful if you have the celiac disease. Dont take a risk. Be careful and vigilant. Inform others around you too so that they will also be careful. Store your food away from all the gluten free. Buy separate bags and cases for storage

• Be Careful With Sauces

A lot of sauces, gravies, and stocks also contain gluten. Do read labels before helping yourself with a serving. Make your own sauces. Recipes can easily be found online. Use alternatives like cornstarch to thicken them up.

• Experiment

Experiment with recipes. Come up with your own master pieces. This will make eating fun and you wont feel that your diet is restrictive.

Gluten Free Recipes

New to this diet? These recipes will help you get by!

Basil Shrimp

Ingredients: Shrimp, prosciutto, basil, lemon zest, red pepper, olive oil, black pepper