If you have celiac disease, gluten-free vegetables probably fuel your balanced gluten-free diet. The most effective treatment for a gluten allergy, also known as celiac disease, is the gluten-free diet. This diet involves eliminating all gluten containing foods from your diet. Most grains contain a protein called gluten. Wheat, barley and rye are the most popular grains containing gluten. For people with a gluten allergy, eating even small amounts of gluten damage their small intestine. Gluten triggers a response in the body, which then attacks the small intestine. This small intestine damage can lead to malnourishment, osteoporosis and delayed growth in children.
The best way to avoid complications from celiac disease is to entirely eliminate gluten from your diet. Although gluten containing foods are common in our diets, excluding gluten from your diet simply takes a bit of planning before you go shopping. A key component of a gluten-free diet is gluten-free vegetables. Fortunately, all vegetables are naturally gluten free. Eating a diet high in gluten-free vegetables will not only help you avoid the health consequences from gluten allergy, but also provide nutrient rich food and contribute to your over all health. Work to incorporate as many nutrient-rich carrots, spinach and squash as possible in your daily meals.
What to Look for
Buying a wide variety of vegetables will help ensure you receive all the key vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body in peak condition. Since different vegetable contain different nutrients, incorporating a variety of vegetables in your diet will help you get enough of each vitamin and mineral.
Fresh vegetables rather than frozen or canned vegetables offer the most nutritious food option. Look for the freshest vegetables available to get as many of the recommended vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy.
Common Pitfalls
Although the convenience of prepared vegetable dishes makes them tempting to buy, it is best to select unprepared vegetables instead. Prepared vegetables loose a lot of their nutritional value in the preparation process and while sitting in the store. They also often contain high amounts of sodium. To get the greatest health benefit from the vegetable you buy avoid prepared dishes.
Steer clear of vegetable in sauces. Often sauces contain gluten. Be sure to read the labels or ask the seller for a list of ingredients. Avoid the item if there are any gluten-containing ingredients listed in the recipe.
