-Gluten Free Diet- Foods and Recipes

What are Gluten Free Foods? / gluten free foods

Gluten intolerance is a condition that affects a small percentage of people around the world. For people that have this condition known as Celiac Disease, all gluten must be removed form the diet or serious medical conditions will occur. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barely, and rye. It forms the structure of bread dough and holds in the carbon dioxide produced by yeast. It gives bread and other beaked goods their elasticity and texture. Gluten is actually the combination of two proteins, glutenin and gliadin.

Gluten free foods are foods that do not contain any gluten either in their ingredients or through the process in which they were made. Because gluten is found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and most dairy products naturally do not contain any gluten. Consuming a balanced diet, while avoiding gluten, is an important part of the treatment of gluten intolerance. Foods from all five food groups need to be consumed and fortunately most food groups are relatively unaffected by gluten.

Fruits and vegetables are naturally free of gluten and can be safely consumed; unless they are served with sauces that contain gluten or packaged with other things that are not naturally occurring. Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of any diet including one that is gluten free. Check the labels of packaged frits and vegetables to make sure they were not processes with gluten.

The dairy group is another food group that is relatively unaffected by gluten. Eggs, milk, butter, most cheeses, cream, and soy products don’t contain gluten. Some yogurts and soft cheeses can contain gluten depending on how they are made so carefully reading the ingredient lists of these foods is important.

Meat does not naturally contain gluten nor do nuts, seeds, and beans. Eating these foods in their natural state is safe although some processed meats and beans may contain gluten so reading labels or baked beans and canned meat products is important. Meat served with sauces and gravy is fine but the sauce or gravy may contain gluten if it was thickened with gluten containing flour so be sure to check ingredients.

Barley based drinks, malted drinks, beer and some whiskies can contain gluten and should be avoided. Most other drinks like coffee, tea, fruit juices, soda, and chocolate based cocas do not contain gluten and are safe to drink. Punches and other drink mixes can contain gluten so always check labels.

The grain group is the one food group that naturally contains gluten. Wheat, bran, barely, and rye all contain gluten and any products that re made form these ingredients contain gluten as well. Arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, rice and soy flours do not contain gluten and are safe to consume. Flour can also be made from potatoes which doesn’t contain gluten. Some condiments and spices can contain gluten too if they are derived form grains so check labels on all foods that have ingredients you are not sue about. There are many gluten free food choices for a person who needs to eliminate gluten from their diet.