Gluten is a protein that is found in many grain products such as wheat, maize, barley, etc. It is often added to food in the form of “Dextrin”, for the purposes of flavouring the food or to act as a thickening agent.
A gluten free diet aims to cut down the consumption of gluten (it isn't easy to eliminate gluten completely from a healthy diet) to the point at which Coeliac Disease sufferers can stop suffering and enable their bodies to heal.
The international standard for gluten free products requires a level of gluten that is less than 20 parts gluten per million parts of other substances.
What are some Gluten Free Foods?
The most common foods for a gluten free diet are tapioca, rice, corn and potatoes. Oats are technically gluten free but contain a similar protein that may irritate the body in a similar manner. Oats are often contaminated by other grains during their processing and distribution, so they're best avoided particularly by children who suffer from Coeliac Disease.
The Good News!
A gluten free diet doesn't have to be a boring flavourless one. There are some great ideas for gluten free cakes, gluten free biscuits, gluten free bread and gluten free desserts. In fact you can even buy gluten free flour and bake your own bread, and it's perfectly possible to have fantastic gluten free breakfasts. More about Gluten Free Foods available!
Gluten Free Food
Coeliac Disease Symptons
People afflicted with celiac disease often experience symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, farting, vitamin deficiencies, weight loss and mineral loss...