Looking back on a previous post about Celiac Disease, I thought it might be a good idea to follow up with a post about gluten free diets, which are the only known treatment for this malady. At first glance, it may seem simple enough to eat gluten free...but when you need to eliminate all gluten from your diet, it's not quite that simple.
To this point, here are some examples. You might be surprised after reading these!
1) Soy sauce, salad dressings, and soups can contain gluten. Soy sauce is made from fermented wheat; soups and salad dressings often contain malt or flour as a thickening agent.
2) Medications are not necessarily gluten free. "Gluten Free Drugs" is a good reference for those who need to be in the know. You can reach it by clicking the link.
3) Condiments are not guaranteed to be gluten free unless they are labelled as such. Thickening agents and stabilizers are used in ketchup and barbecue sauce may contain gluten. The best advice here is not to eat anything like this unless it's labelled gluten free.
4) Beer and some other grain alcohols are made using wheat, barley, and/or malt, which contains gluten. The good news is that there are gluten free beers on the marketplace!
5) Chewing gum and candy can be problematic for those with celiac disease. Candy sometimes contains malt, while chewing gums sometimes have a gluten based powder on them to prevent sticking. Look for gluten free candy; with respect to gum, Trident and Glee brands, along with some other products, are gluten free.
6) Flavored potato chips may contain gluten in the flavored coatings. They can also be cross contaminated with gluten in the production facility where they are made. Kettle chips are a good alternative for those on a gluten free diet.
This list is not all inclusive, but it does give you some idea about the trials and tribulations of following a gluten free diet!
Sources: glutenfreedrugs.com; paindoctor.com;gleegum.com about.com; flickr
To this point, here are some examples. You might be surprised after reading these!
1) Soy sauce, salad dressings, and soups can contain gluten. Soy sauce is made from fermented wheat; soups and salad dressings often contain malt or flour as a thickening agent.
2) Medications are not necessarily gluten free. "Gluten Free Drugs" is a good reference for those who need to be in the know. You can reach it by clicking the link.
3) Condiments are not guaranteed to be gluten free unless they are labelled as such. Thickening agents and stabilizers are used in ketchup and barbecue sauce may contain gluten. The best advice here is not to eat anything like this unless it's labelled gluten free.
4) Beer and some other grain alcohols are made using wheat, barley, and/or malt, which contains gluten. The good news is that there are gluten free beers on the marketplace!
5) Chewing gum and candy can be problematic for those with celiac disease. Candy sometimes contains malt, while chewing gums sometimes have a gluten based powder on them to prevent sticking. Look for gluten free candy; with respect to gum, Trident and Glee brands, along with some other products, are gluten free.
6) Flavored potato chips may contain gluten in the flavored coatings. They can also be cross contaminated with gluten in the production facility where they are made. Kettle chips are a good alternative for those on a gluten free diet.
This list is not all inclusive, but it does give you some idea about the trials and tribulations of following a gluten free diet!
Sources: glutenfreedrugs.com; paindoctor.com;gleegum.com about.com; flickr
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