Gluten
By Kaylee Dunlap
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a substance that is present in cereal grains, especially wheat. Gluten is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. It is a mixture of two proteins that causes illness in people with celiac disease.
How Can Gluten be Harmful?
The proteins in wheat are gut irritants causing an inflammatory response. The most famous case is the inflammation caused by gluten in people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Experts estimate that about 1% of Americans have celiac disease. The condition, caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten, can damage the lining of the small intestine.
What is Gluten Sensitivity Opposed to Celiac Disease?
They both have intestinal symptoms, such as bloating and pain, and symptoms outside the digestive tract, such as fatigue. They are both medical conditions and also types of food hypersensitivities. There are many possible gastrointestinal symptoms of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Some of them are... cramping, diarrhea and constipation. Symptoms can also be in other parts of the body in the form of bone or joint pain, headaches, or fatigue, etc.
What Foods are Gluten Hidden In?
Gluten can be found in varieties of wheat such as......
Rye, Barley, and Triticale.
Malt in various forms including: malted barley flour, malted milk or milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, and malt vinegar.
Brewer's Yeast, Hotdogs, Bleu Cheese, Soy Sauce, Hot Chocolate, Medications, Beauty Products, and Vitamin Supplements.
Pickles: Some pickling processes include malt vinegar (a beer-like liquid), which may contain gluten.
Breads and baked goods contain gluten.
Gluten can be found in cheerios, suckers, chips, etc.
Mozzarella sticks might taste amazing but they are full of gluten!
What Types of Food Can You Eat if You are Avoiding Gluten?
Beans, seeds and nuts in their natural, unprocessed form, Fresh eggs, fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated), fruits and vegetables, and most dairy products. Grains and starches can be part of a gluten-free diet like: Amaranth, Arrowroot, Buckwheat, Corn and cornmeal, Flax, Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean), Quinoa, and Rice.
Become Gluten Free Just Because You Want to for Diet Purposes?
Lately, it has become "hip" to go gluten-free. Based on little or no evidence, people have been switching to gluten-free diets to lose weight, boost energy, treat autism, or generally just feel healthier. “People who are sensitive to gluten may feel better, but a larger portion will derive no significant benefit from the practice. They’ll simply waste their money, because these products are expensive,” says Dr. Leffler, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
7 Day Eating Plan Without Eating Any Gluten...
Sunday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Orange, medium
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
LUNCH
- 1 Cup Tossed Salad Mix
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar & Oil Salad Dressing
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
- 3 Ounces Chicken Breast, Cooked Without Skin
DINNER
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
- 1 Nectarine, medium
- 1/2 Cup Steamed Green Beans
Monday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free Corn Cereal (fortified)
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
- 1/2 Banana, small
LUNCH
- 3 Ounces 90%-Lean Hamburger Patty, cooked
- 2 Slices Gluten-Free Buckwheat Bread
- 1 Cup Strawberries
DINNER
- 1/2 Baked Sweet Potato
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Quinoa
- Broiled Mango
Tuesday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free Corn Cereal (fortified)
- 1 Ounce Skim Milk
- 1/2 Banana, small
LUNCH
- 1 Corn Tortilla, 6", unsalted
- 1/2 Cup Prepared Coleslaw
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
DINNER
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
- 3 Steamed Broccoli Spears
- 6 Ounces Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt
Wednesday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal (fortified)
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
- 1/2 Cup Grapefruit
LUNCH
- 1 Corn Tortilla
- 1/2 Cup Papaya
DINNER
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
- 1/2 Cup Blackberries
Thursday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Scrambled Eggs
- 1 Slice Gluten-Free Soy Bread
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
LUNCH
- 6 Ounces Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt
- 1 Slice Gluten-Free Buckwheat Bread
DINNER
- 1/2 Cup Steamed Carrots
- 1 Cup Cooked Soba Noodles
- 1 Cup Strawberries
Friday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free Corn Cereal (fortified)
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
- 1 Cup Blueberries
LUNCH
- 1 Cup Tossed Salad Mix
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar & Oil Salad Dressing
- 6 Ounces Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt
DINNER
- 3/4 Cup Cooked Teff
- 1/2 Cup Steamed Cauliflower
- 1 Cup Watermelon
Saturday
BREAKFAST
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
- 1 Slice Gluten-Free Buckwheat Bread
LUNCH
- 1 Cup Skim Milk
DINNER
- 1/2 Cup Steamed Broccoli
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Millet
- 1 Cup Strawberries