Celiac Disease
Gluten-free diets are most frequently associated with celiac disease. One out of every 133 people in the United States has been diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition relating to the autoimmune system where gluten damages the lining of the small intestine. To accurately diagnose celiac disease or any other sensitivity, gluten must be present in the diet. You should always seek professional guidance before eliminating any nutrient, food, or food group from your diet, including gluten. Only those correctly diagnosed with celiac disease, or any other form of gluten intolerance, should follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Gluten is found in a large number of grains including wheat, barley, and rye and it can be used as a food additive, thickener, or stabilizing agent. For this reason, it can be found in numerous food products. Reading food labels accurately is crucial in a gluten-free diet. Products advertised as “wheat free” are not necessarily “gluten-free.”
What to look for on the food label:
Allowed | Not Allowed |
Bean flour, buckwheat, flax, corn, millet, rice and rice bran, potato starch, seed flours, soy, quinoa | Barley, bran, bulgur, couscous, malt or malt extract, oats or oat bran, rye, spelt, any item with “wheat” in the name |
Weight Loss
Gluten-free diets have been known to improve many behavioral disorders from autism to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The gluten-free diet has also started getting attention as a means to achieve weight loss. Because gluten is found in so many grains, elimination may lead to several nutrient deficiencies. Consuming naturally gluten-free foods such as fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, legumes, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and brown rice is a healthy way to lose weight while following a gluten-free diet. This approach reduces intake of unhealthy fats, sodium, and cholesterol and provides a wholesome source of vitamins and minerals without eliminating any food groups.
Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping and Dining
Over 3,000 gluten-free products are now available through large supermarkets, health food stores, the internet, and mail order. Gluten-free menus are readily available at many participating restaurants. Anyone with diagnosed gluten sensitivity or celiac disease should be familiar with these restaurants and research the menu prior to dining out. If you or anyone you know may be suffering from gluten intolerance, contact a physician and arrange for appropriate tests for diagnosis.
Helpful Links
Submitted by:
Maghen Stubbs, MS-MPH, RD
NHC Fort Sanders
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