The term gluten describes various storage proteins that occur naturally in grains like wheat, barley, rye, rice and corn. The glutens in wheat, barley and rye trigger an autoimmune disorder called celiac disease, or CD. However, rice gluten doesn't cause the same reaction in gluten-sensitive individuals. Professional organizations like the Celiac Sprue Association use the term gluten to refer only to the three forms of plant protein that cause CD. Imagine Foods manufactures Rice Dream, a product line derived from rice.
Adverse Effects
When people with celiac disease eat or drink something containing gluten, their immune systems identify the protein as a foreign body and begin attacking it. During this attack, the villi, tiny finger like projections within the small intestine, are damaged and lose their ability to absorb nutrients from the gut. Over time, people with untreated celiac disease become malnourished.
Types
The Rice Dream product line includes shelf stable non-dairy beverages, refrigerated non-dairy beverages and frozen desserts and novelties made from rice.
Gluten-Free Products
According to Imagine Foods, most Rice Dream beverages and frozen treats are gluten-free. All flavors of both the shelf stable and the refrigerated Rice Dream beverages are safe for individuals with gluten sensitivity. However, consumers need to be careful when purchasing frozen desserts and novelties. The only frozen Rice Dream products guaranteed to be gluten-free are pints or quarts of vanilla, strawberry, cocoa marble fudge, orange vanilla swirl, carob almond and Neopolitan flavors. Other flavors may contain flavorings or stabilizers made from gluten.
Tips
People with celiac disease can safely add tree nuts, coconut, chocolate, pure cocoa, fresh unprocessed fruits or peanuts to their Rice Dream beverages or frozen desserts, says the Celiac Sprue Association.
Warnings
Before making a sundae or frozen drink with Rice Dream, read recipes carefully to identify any gluten-laden ingredients. Although fresh fruit is gluten-free, some frozen, dried or canned fruits contain thickeners or additives with gluten in them. While honey, maple syrup, and commercial candies are usually gluten-free, various manufacturers incorporate flavorings or additives that are forbidden on a gluten-free diet, cautions the CSA.
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