Gluten Free Diets

What is Gluten?

• Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Common gluten-containing foods

• Bread, pasta, pizza, beer, cereal, etc.

Who follows a Gluten Free diet?

• People with celiac

• People who have gluten sensitivity

• If you feel better without it

Celiac Disease

• Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the consumption of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.

• People who have celiac disease experience severe discomfort or pain when they eat foods that have gluten.

• Even something that was prepared on the same surface that gluten was could cause damage

• Look for the Certified gluten free symbol on food labels

Gluten Free options/substitutions

• Rice

• Corn tortilla

• Beans

• Almond

• Buckwheat

• Potato

• Soy

Should you go gluten free?

• Studies show there is little to no nutritional benefit of avoiding gluten for people who don’t have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease

• Some people report feeling better after avoiding gluten

• Replacing processed simple carbs with complex carbs is a good ideas, whether you’re gluten free or not

• If you do chose to go gluten free, make sure you are still getting all of the vitamins and minerals that many bread and cereal products are fortified with

• As always, talk to your doctor first

Sources

https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916

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