Gluten- and wheat-free diets have become increasingly popular. For those who suffer from gluten intolerance, also known as Celiac disease, the gluten-free diet is a way of life. Others choose gluten- and wheat-free diets for health benefits and weight loss. Due to the increase in popularity of the gluten- and wheat-free diet, special gluten- and wheat-free pastas, breads, cereals and beer can be found in many supermarkets.
Gluten- And Wheat-Free Foods
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Removing the starch from flour will produce gluten. Gluten acts as a binding agent due to its elasticity, making it ideal for heavy breads and rich pastas. Wheat gluten is commonly used in imitation meats as a source of protein and to add texture. The first step when starting a gluten- and wheat-free diet is to identify the foods that do not contain gluten. These foods include meat, eggs, cheese, potatoes, rice, milk, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Companies that market gluten-free foods often use flour substitutes such as potato, coconut flour and soy. Almond flour is a popular substitute for wheat or white flour when baking breads at home.
Foods To Avoid
Gluten is found in foods that are made with white flour, enriched flour, wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, rye, barley, couscous and malt vinegar. Many salad dressings, soups, gravy, lunch meats, beers and herbs contain gluten, so it is important to check all food labels when shopping for gluten-free products. Printing a list of all gluten- and wheat-free foods, as well as foods that contain gluten, can be of great assistance when shopping.
Health Benefits
For those who suffer with gluten allergies or intolerance, living a gluten- and wheat-free lifestyle is a medical necessity. Others choose a gluten-free diet for health and weight loss reasons. Weight loss is common with gluten-free diets due to the elimination of certain foods. Eliminating flour-based foods and increasing the amount of vegetables and fruit in a diet typically results in weight loss. Replacing gluten foods with non-gluten substitutes can diminish this weight loss. Gluten-free diets have been said to improve conditions such as dermatitis, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Some believe that eliminating gluten from the diet of autistic children can lessen the severity of autism. This is considered an alternative medical treatment and should be discussed with a doctor.
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