A Gluten Free Diet, and All the Fiber you Need
How is it that
gluten
something so basic to our diet found in everything
from beer
to biscuits, could cause major health problems? The cultivation of
grains like wheat, after all, helped contribute to the rise of
civilization. We may never have fully adapted to the enormous role
wheat plays in our diet today.
A high fiber diet is an excellent choice for healthy eating, but a person with celiac disease must be careful to choose a gluten free diet. Gluten can be found in a large variety of foods including soups, salad dressings, processed foods and natural flavorings. It is a protein found in wheat or related grains and many high fiber foods that we eat. Unidentified starch, binders and fillers in medications or vitamins. There exists many unsuspected sources of gluten in our diet.
Some people who have trouble with wheat are just simply allergic to it. For those people, symptoms are most likely not centered on the digestive tract. They tend to be similar to other allergies: itching and swelling of the mouth or airways, rashes, and possibly breathing problems. The treatment is the same as for an intolerance - avoid wheat!
Clearly, a high fiber diet can include foods that do not contain gluten such as fruits and vegetables and brown rice. These and many other whole foods will provide what you need for a gluten-free diet, but also supply for a high fiber diet.
Once a wheat or gluten intolerance is identified, the solution may be clear, but not easy. With effort and awareness, a healthy and productive life is yours.
Learn the psychology behind the gluten free lifestyle. . .
Peter Tremayne’s fantastic new e-book "The Essential Gluten Free Guide” gives you all the information you need under one cover. Not only do you learn what foods to avoid but also how to develop a winning mindset…You discover the secrets behind meal preparation, shopping, eating out and much more. This book is an injection of positive energy and makes you realize just what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. I recommend you have a look for yourself: The Essential Gluten-Free Guide for Celiac Sufferers
The Gluten Free DietThere are an abundance of gluten free foods that can bring about health and well-being in the lives of people with celiac disease. Many regular recipes can be altered to be gluten-free. The important thing is to practice understanding and patience while educating yourself and the people around you about your dietary changes. The best part is that the changes do not include medication or surgery. We don't really need gluten in our diet. It's just a protein and can be replaced by other foods without losing essential nutrients. By getting information from health care practitioners, celiac organizations, websites (like this one), and dietitians, one can be assured of living a full and healthy life. All one has to do is avoid foods with gluten by making safe and healthy choices. A gluten-free diet means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Whether people with celiac disease should avoid oats is unclear because some people have been able to eat oats without any problem. The problem is oat products are often contaminated with wheat. Let's take a look at the options - |
Rice. This is the alternative flour most people try first. It's fairly bland, which makes it good for all-purpose use. Rice flour is a good thickener and can be used to make muffins and bread. Rice bread is often described as heavy and dense.
Quinoa. This grain is native to the Andes Mountains of South America. It's easy to digest and has higher levels of calcium, protein, complex carbohydrates, phosphorous, iron, fiber and B vitamins than barley, oats, rice, corn or wheat. As a result, it's ideal for mixing with other flours to increase the nutritional value of what you're cooking or baking. The flour had a delicate, nutty flavor similar to wild rice and can be used to make a variety of items. If used in large quantities, however, it can overpower the flavor or your baked goods.
Sorghum or milo. There are two varieties of sorghum - red and white. Both have a slightly sweet taste. Nutritionally, this grain is high in carbohydrates, fiber, phosphorous, potassium, B vitamins and protein. Sorghum tends to have a gritty texture. As a result, when used for baking breads, sorghum doesn't hold together well. It works best when blended with other flours. Try it when baking flat bread, cookies crackers or pancakes.
Amaranth. The seeds from this broad-leafed plant are used in their whole grain form, milled into flour or puffed into kernels. This flour is high in protein, fiber, calcium and iron. Use Amaranth in cereals, pastas and baked goods. Add water sparingly when using this mildly, nutty-tasting fine flour for baking bread. It can get crusty on the outside before the dough on the inside is done. It also tends to make baked goods brown more quickly.
Many large grocery stores and specialty foods stores carry ready-to-eat, gluten-free grain products. The labels on these products will state that the product is gluten-free.
Starting in January of 2006, food manufacturers will be required to plainly list whether their products contain any of eight common allergens, including wheat.
Scientists are doing studies to find out whether people with celiac disease can tolerate oats. It's best to avoid oat products unless the product label shows that it hasn't been contaminated with wheat and is gluten-free.
Plain meat, fish, rice, fruits, and vegetables do not contain gluten, so people with celiac disease can eat as much of these foods as they like.
The restrictions include most grain, pasta, cereal and many processed foods. People can have a well-balanced diet with a great variety of foods. Breads and pasta can be enjoyed if the flour is made with potato, soy, bean or rice.
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Getting your grains:Breads:
Cereals:
Snacks:
Side dishes:
Baked goods:
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Great care needs to be taken when buying food at restaurants, dining at someone's home, or just grabbing a snack from the pantry. One must learn to carefully scan for foods with gluten since hidden sources of gluten include additives, preservatives, and stabilizers. Medicines, mouthwash, and processed food are all potential sources of gluten. In time, screening for gluten becomes a very natural process.
Check our recipe links and the wealth of recipes which provide high fiber for your gluten free diet.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Steven Shochat, unless otherwise noted. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Shochat and his community. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
