Sunday, January 31, 2010

Information About A Gluten Free Diet

By Tara Locksley

Celiac disease is a condition that is commonly under diagnosed; in addition, 9 out of 10 people have the conditions without even knowing it. If you have celiac disease will are going to be advised to change your diet to a gluten free diet. Because this condition is inherited, there is nothing you can do to prevent it but you can live with it with just a few adjustments in your eating habits.

Gluten injures the small intestine's lining in people with celiac disease. They will experience weight loss, bloating, vitamin and mineral deficiency and more. It is extremely important for someone who is living with this condition to look at what he or she eats and do not wait to change your diet. Once someone changes their diet, their small intestine begins to heal.

When a person must change their diet, they will soon find out how many products contain gluten. Grains are used in preparation of food. Many people have no idea they are even eating gluten. There is nothing obvious where someone would know if gluten were an ingredient in a product. This is why a strict gluten free diet is vital when improving ones health. Those living with celiac disease should talk to a registered dietician for some help and tips for living with the condition.

A gluten free diet means this food is completely free of gluten-containing cereals such as wheat, barley and rye. Even oats can be included in the list because most oats may become contaminated during the processing cycle. There are some things you can look out for that will give you a clue that grain is used in the food product, these include, stabilizer, starch, flavoring, emulsifier, hydrolyzed and plant protein.

There is one thing that you will have to be and that is consistent. You will need to be in a routine when you change to a gluten free diet. If you are unsure, always check the ingredients in the food label on the packets. Most products will warn you if it contains gluten, which will be found on the ingredients label.

Now that people are becoming more aware of celiac disease, more grocery stores are carrying gluten free products. Other stores such as the health good stores may offer more of a selection of gluten free products also.

It is better to pack a lunch on a daily basis, for work or school. On the other hand, you do not have to stay out of restaurants because of your condition; you will just have to watch what you choose on the menu. Keeping is simple is the best way to go. Remember, sauces and dressings contain ingredients that have gluten, so you may want to stay away from salads for example.

Changing to a gluten free diet may seem harder than it really is; this is because no one knows about celiac disease. However, once you incorporated gluten free food into your life, you will see how easy it can be. You will notice you health will improve and you will no longer feel the life change is an inconvenience.

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