To a baker, “gluten” is the substance in flour that, when combined with a liquid, is responsible for creating the sticky, elastic texture of raw dough. But what exactly is gluten? In simple terms, gluten is the general name for specific protein fractions (prolamins and glutelins) in wheat, barley and rye. Read Article
What Items Contain Gluten?
All types of wheat including spelt, kamut, einkorn, emmer, farro and durum, as well as barley, rye and triticale contain gluten. In addition to baked products, cereals and pastas made from these grains, here are some examples of gluten-containing items that must be avoided. Items to Avoid Bulgur Couscous Fr Read Article
Do Oats Contain Gluten?
Historically, oats were restricted from the gluten-free diet because it was thought that their avenin prolamin caused intestinal damage similar to that caused by the proteins in wheat, rye and barley. However, the main reason for reactions to oats is that they frequently are contaminated with gluten-containin Read Article
What Can I Eat on a Gluten-Free Diet?
A wide variety of naturally gluten-free foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes (dried beans, lentils, peas, soybeans), eggs, plain meat, poultry, fish, seafood, yogurt and cheese can be included in a gluten-free diet. In addition, there are many gluten-free flours, cereals and starches that c Read Article
Consultation with a Registered Dietitian
Due to the complexities of the gluten-free diet, consultation with an expert registered dietitian (RD) is highly recommended. After completing a thorough nutritional assessment, s/he will address any nutritional concerns and will work with the individual to learn how to successfully adapt to the gluten-free l Read Article
The Gluten-Free Diet: Don’t Forget About NUTRITION!
Whether you’ve just started or have been on a gluten-free diet for a while, you know it’s essential to read labels every time you shop. But understanding which foods/ingredients are off-limits and those that are safe can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a PhD in food science! In the quest fo Read Article
Celiac Disease 101 — Get the Facts!
It seems like everyone these days has heard of gluten, along with The Top 5 Reasons Gluten Will Make You Dumber, The #1 Reason Why Your Dog Should Go Gluten Free, and Give Up Gluten – Live to 150. I’m joking of course…but in the clamor of misinformation about gluten, it’s easy to lose sight of the Read Article
Shining Light on Vitamin D, Celiac Disease and Bone Health
Readers, “fortify” yourselves. I’m about to tell you something about your health you may not know…and it requires your action! If you read last week’s post on calcium, bone health & the gluten-free diet, you’ll recall that people with celiac disease need to take special care to monitor their i Read Article
Make No Bones Without It — Calcium is Critical on a Gluten-Free Diet
Step on a scale. Go ahead, I won’t peek. Would you be surprised if I now told you that 1-2 percent of your body weight is from calcium? Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. It is found in the skeleton, teeth, blood, muscles and fluid between cells. While 99% of calcium is in your skeleton, thi Read Article
Fatigue and Anemia…Is it Celiac Disease?
In honor of Nutrition Month, I’d like to discuss the 23 feet of narrow tubing you carry with you everywhere you go. No, not your earbuds and computer cables. Your small intestine! Segmented into three regions (duodenum, jejunum and ileum), your small intestine is the largest site of nutrient absorption in y Read Article