gluten-free-foods.info

gluten-free-foods.info

Gluten is the source of discomfort for approximately 1 in 150 Americans. These individuals suffer from an autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease. To make things worse, many who suffer of celiac disease don’t even know it. In fact, about 15 percent of those with gluten intolerance are improperly diagnosed.

Individuals with celiac disease cannot eat any foods that contain gluten. If they do, the gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes great discomfort in the small intestine. This occurs because celiac sufferers produce antibodies that attack the gluten, but the problem is that these same protective antibodies also cause major destruction, discomfort and illness w ... (more)

Gluten is the source of discomfort for approximately 1 in 150 Americans. These individuals suffer from an autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease. To make things worse, many who suffer of celiac disease don’t even know it. In fact, about 15 percent of those with gluten intolerance are improperly diagnosed.

Individuals with celiac disease cannot eat any foods that contain gluten. If they do, the gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes great discomfort in the small intestine. This occurs because celiac sufferers produce antibodies that attack the gluten, but the problem is that these same protective antibodies also cause major destruction, discomfort and illness within the small intestine. Poor absorption of vital vitamins and nutrients is another factor, making life rather unbearable for the celiac sufferer.

The only known treatment for celiac disease is to follow a strict gluten-free diet. That means all foods containing wheat, rye, barley, and commercial oats should be expelled from the diet altogether. Any food deemed “gluten-free” must lack any trace of wheat and other grains such as rye, barley, oats or triticale. And it’s not even the wheat or grain itself that causes the trouble. Gluten is actually a grain protein that is added to food during processing, to prevent the crumbling of products like breads, muffins, cereals or other baked goods. Gluten-free foods are often made of corn and rice which don’t need gluten to hold them together.

For individuals with celiac disease, it’s very important to be aware of which products contain gluten, as it pops up in even the most unexpected of places. For instance, beer or any fermented alcoholic beverage is made from grains and contains gluten. Processed cold meats, soy sauce and any product that contains any trace of wheat flour, malt or modified food starch also contains gluten, and must be avoided. For the celiac sufferer it’s also important to consider the environment in which the product was manufactured. Even if the product itself contains absolutely no gluten, it might have been prepared in an environment tainted with gluten. This is why those with celiac disease should only buy processed foods with a label clearly stating that the product is 100 percent “gluten-free.”

The following North American food manufacturers offer 100 percent gluten-free foods:

Arrowhead Mills

Bob's Red Mill

Breads from Anna

Chebe

Cravings Place

Gifts of Nature

Glutino

Miss Robens

Namaste

Pamela's

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Shopping Resources for Gluten+Free+Foods

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