Gluten is the large, immunogenic protein produced by wheat, rye and barley, and casein is the major protein in milk. Many people are allergic to one or both of these proteins. The only way to treat celiac disease (gluten intolerance) or casein intolerance at this point is lifelong abstention. In addition, removing gluten and/or casein from the diet has been found to be helpful in treating autism, ADD and ADHD, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases.
Naturally Gluten- and Casein-Free
All fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans and meats are naturally gluten-free and casein-free. Nuts are often safe. Read the label to check for added gluten or casein.
Properly made clarified butter or ghee has had all the casein removed from it. It should be completely clear. All other pure oils, such as canola, corn, olive, soybean and peanut, are gluten- and casein-free.
Gluten-Free Grains
Some grains are gluten-free. All varieties of rice, even "glutinous" and wild rice, are gluten-free. The grains and flours of sorghum, millet, quinoa, teff, buckwheat, amaranth and corn, among others, are gluten-free and casein-free.
Foods made with these, such as corn tortillas, steamed rice, groats and others., are safe.
Not Safe: Always Contains Gluten and/or Casein
Wheat, barley and rye all contain gluten. So does bulger wheat, pearl barley, rye bread, most breading, bread crumbs, crackers, panko crumbs, white and whole wheat bread, regular and whole wheat pasta, noodles, couscous, rolls, bagels, donuts, and many other products.
All dairy products including cheese, milk, cream, butter and yogurt contain casein.
White and milk chocolate contain casein, though most dark chocolates and cocoa do not.
Sneaky Gluten and Casein
Gluten and casein are found in many processed foods. Soy sauce contains wheat and has more than enough gluten to cause a reaction. Gluten-free soy sauces are readily available. Non-dairy creamers contain sodium caseinate, a casein-derived protein. Many soy cheeses and other non-dairy cheeses contain casein or caseinate. Malt is made from barley and includes gluten. Malt is added to most breakfast cereals, many ice creams and a lot of packaged foods. Rice Chex recently removed barley malt from their formula and thus is gluten free and casein free.
Many luncheon meats are processed with substantial amounts of wheat. All of Boar's Head's meats, cheeses and condiments are gluten-free. Their cheeses, of course, contain casein. French fries from restaurants are fried in the same oil as they fry gluten-containing items. This oil is heavily contaminated with gluten. However, most Burger King restaurants have designated fryers for French fries. Thus, Burger King fries are both gluten and casein free.
Gluten and Casein Substitution Foods
Luckily, the number and quality of gluten-free and casein-free substitute products increases every year. Schar and Trader Joe's brands of gluten-free pasta are really very good, so is Purely Decadent brand coconut-based frozen dessert. Silk brand soy milks and coffee creamers are very tasty.
Follow Your Heart's Vegan Cheese Alternative is purported to be quite tasty. So is Galaxy's Vegan Rice Cheese. Tofutti makes cream cheese and sour cream substitutes.
Recipes for homemade tofu- or cashew-based cheese, whipped cream, cream and cream cheese are readily available.
