Amazing And Easy To Use
I love this app so, so much! As a teen with Celiacs, planning trips with friends and where to eat on vacations can be extremely difficult. Not to mention my family moved to a whole other state and we were unaware of the options around us, and all of our other family lives back where we moved from so car trips are made often. We would be somewhere during dinner time, and they would always ask me what i wanted to eat, and i would always say I dont know. What is there? And then the frustrating, 15 minute process of finding a fast food restaurant nearby that everyone wanted to eat and that had gluten free options, began. Everyone would be tense and we would normally have to stop at different places. Then i heard and found out about this app and everything changed. I tell my parents places nearby that me, my little brother, and my parents would all agree on and for the most part, everyone is happy. So this app made those long car rides easy and not as much frustration and not as much time was wasted on finding somewhere to eat! Love it, thank you so much!
Is Gluten Bad For You
In recent times, gluten has become a somewhat controversial player in the nutrition world. While many sources claim its safe for most people, others claim its harmful to pretty much everyone. So, whats the truth?
Research suggests that most people can tolerate gluten with no adverse effects, however, it can cause problems for people with certain health conditions, including:
Necco & Spangler Candy
To be confident that you are getting an allergen-free Spangler candy item, check the back of the item you are purchasing for the allergen statement. Spangler Candy bags manufactured and packaged in our facility will have all of the following identifiers:
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Gluten Free Diet And Travel
Travelling and following a gluten-free diet can present some extra challenges, but nothing a little planning ahead cant fix.
If you are booking flights, be aware that most airlines will offer gluten free meal options. Call the airline, or check if the online booking page permits you to enter dietary requirements. It may be worth following this up a few days before you travel, just to make sure the information got through. Cruise lines are also likely to be able to accommodate gluten-free meal requests.
Always pack some gluten-free snacks in your hand luggage, just in case. Rice crackers, nuts, dried fruit and crisps are some transportable, non-perishable options.
When booking accommodation, consider short stay apartments with a kitchen, or at least a hotel room with a microwave and refrigerator. Then, if you cant find gluten-free eating-out options at your destination, you can at least purchase foods that are naturally gluten free and self-cater.
If you are staying somewhere such as a B& B, you could also consider taking toaster bags with you and buying a loaf of gluten free bread at your destination, if possible. Gluten free cereal is available at supermarkets and speciality stores in some places. Or, you could opt to eat naturally gluten free breakfast options such as yoghurt, fresh fruit and eggs. Talk to your host about the possibilities they may have catered for people with coeliac disease before.
Who Misses The Breading
You don’t need to hide the succulent charms of fresh chicken, fish, and beef under a bunch of bread. Go for lean meat without any additives and you’ll be eating right for a gluten-free diet. Do keep in mind that hot dogs and deli meats are processed, so check the ingredients for additives that might contain gluten.
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Can Help You Lose Weight
Its not unusual to lose weight once you start following a gluten-free diet.
The diet eliminates many high-calorie, processed foods and often replaces them with fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Avoid processed gluten-free foods such as cakes, pastries, and snacks if youre trying to lose weight. They can quickly add a lot of calories to your diet.
Instead, focus on eating plenty of whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to reach and maintain a moderate weight while also meeting your nutritional needs.
Summary
A gluten-free diet can provide many health benefits, especially for those with celiac disease. It may help ease digestive symptoms, reduce chronic inflammation, boost energy, and promote weight loss.
Despite having a variety of health benefits, a gluten-free diet could also lead to certain side effects and has downsides to consider.
What Foods Can I Eat On A Gluten
On a gluten-free diet you can eat:
- foods that are naturally gluten-free such as fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meats, eggs, nuts and legumes, milk, fats and oils and gluten-free grains such as rice and corn
- products labelled gluten-free irrespective of their country of origin
- products that use the Crossed Grain Logo. This logo is recognised both in Australia and overseas and means the food item is suitable for a gluten-free diet wherever you are
- products that are gluten-free according to their ingredients list
In Australia, products containing any ingredient derived from wheat, rye, barley or oats must be declared on the ingredients panel. Avoid products with statements such as may contain gluten because they can be cross contaminated with gluten.
Different countries have different labelling laws, so you will need to research which foods are safe to eat when you travel overseas. For example, very small quantities of oats are permitted in products labelled gluten-free in the European Union.
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Is There A Downside To Going Gluten
Before you buy into the gluten-free life, buyer beware! It may not help, it may cause trouble, and its likely to cost more.
While many people think gluten-free diets are more nutritious and contain more minerals and vitamins than conventional foods, the opposite is often true. Gluten-free foods are commonly less fortified with folic acid, iron, and other nutrients than regular foods containing gluten. And gluten-free foods tend to have less fiber and more sugar and fat. Several studies have found a trend toward weight gain and obesity among those who follow a gluten-free diet .
Meanwhile, gluten-free foods tend to be more expensive than conventional foods. It reminds me of the organic food option: People are often willing to pay much higher prices for foods they think are healthier. The problem is that there is little or no proof that these foods are actually better for you.
The following seasonings and condiments are safe for those following gluten-free diets:
- apple cider vinegar
- fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, and cilantro
Most sources of healthy fat, such as the following, are gluten-free.
- full fat yogurt
- unsweetened coconut
Summary
Foods that are safe to eat if you have a gluten intolerance include nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, dairy products, gluten-free grains, and legumes.
Food Labelling And Gluten
All packaged foods have ingredient labels printed on the box, package or bottle. There are three methods of finding suitable foods by reading the labelling. These include looking for:
- foods carrying the Coeliac Australia Endorsement logo
- foods labelled gluten free’
- foods made for the general market that do not contain ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains.
Under mandatory labelling standards, all ingredients and food additives derived from wheat, rye, barley, or oats must be declared in the ingredient list of foods sold in Australia. The use of an allergen summary statement is also now mandatory gluten must be declared as Contains gluten, if present.
There is an Australian Food Standard for processed foods labelled gluten free. When foods labelled gluten free are tested there must be no detectable gluten.
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Foods That May Contain Gluten
These foods must be verified by reading the label or checking with the manufacturer/kitchen staff.
- Energy bars/granola bars some bars may contain wheat as an ingredient, and most use oats that are not gluten-free
- French fries be careful of batter containing wheat flour or cross-contact from fryers
- Potato chips some potato chip seasonings may contain malt vinegar or wheat starch
- Processed lunch meats
- Candy and candy bars
- Soup pay special attention to cream-based soups, which have flour as a thickener. Many soups also contain barley
- Multi-grain or artisan tortilla chips or tortillas that are not entirely corn-based may contain a wheat-based ingredient
- Salad dressings and marinades may contain malt vinegar, soy sauce, flour
- Starch or dextrin if found on a meat or poultry product could be from any grain, including wheat
- Brown rice syrup may be made with barley enzymes
- Meat substitutes made with seitan such as vegetarian burgers, vegetarian sausage, imitation bacon, imitation seafood
- Self-basting poultry
- Pre-seasoned meats
- Cheesecake filling some recipes include wheat flour
- Eggs served at restaurants some restaurants put pancake batter in their scrambled eggs and omelets, but on their own, eggs are naturally gluten-free
Alternative Names For Gluten
Sometimes, gluten-containing ingredients are listed under their scientific names, which are in Latin. The following terms represent the most commonly used Latin terms for wheat, barley, and rye. If you see any of these, the product contains gluten:
- Triticum vulgare
- Pasta: Made from wheat unless otherwise indicated
- Seitan: Made from wheat gluten and commonly used in vegetarian meals
- Wheat or barley grass: Will be cross-contaminated
- Wheat germ oil or extract: Will be cross-contaminated
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What To Avoid When Shopping For Fruits And Vegetables:
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Modified food starch: If the label doesn’t specify what type of starch is used, check with the manufacturer, as it may be wheat.
- Malt: Including malt syrup, malt vinegar, malt extract, malt flavoring
- Gluten stabilizer
- Maltodextrin: This is OK when made from corn, potato or rice starch. If it’s made from wheat, it will be labeled: you may have a reaction, though many claim the gluten is destroyed in processing.
How To Order When Youre Dining Out With Celiac Disease
Considering only a small amount of gluten can trigger symptoms, its important for anyone with celiac disease to be aware of the risk for cross-contamination when dining out. For instance, if youre ordering a gluten-free fried food, Dr. Bertiger recommends asking someone knowledgeable at the restaurant how they fry their food. If its fried in the same oil as gluten-containing foods, thats enough to cause a problem, he says. Many restaurants only have one fryer.
Additionally, experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend calling the restaurant ahead of time to talk about your options. When youre ordering, stress to the server that you absolutely need to eat gluten-free. If youd like, you can explain why.
Also, ask detailed questions about ingredients and how food is prepared. This helps the staff understand that youre not eating gluten-free because youre following a trendy diet , but that its a matter of your health.
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Which Health Issues Can A Gluten
Medically speaking, not all gluten-related issues are created equal. There can be confusion around two common gluten-related conditions in particular: celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity.
Lets take a look at the differences between the two, and how the gluten-free diet may benefit both, along with some other medical conditions.
Dig In To Rice And Potatoes
On a gluten-free diet? Say hello to filling, flexible rice and potatoes. You can top them with just about anything, mix them into meals, or enjoy them on their own. Still mourning the loss of your favorite pasta? Here’s a secret: When you’re really craving a bowl of spaghetti, it is possible to find gluten-free pasta — just think rice noodles.
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Tip : Look For The Words Gluten
See the words gluten-free on a label, but not seeing a gluten-free certification mark? If a packaged product is regulated by the FDA and labeled gluten-free, it is considered safe for gluten-free consumers. The FDA regulation says that manufacturers are required to comply with the gluten-free definition detailed in their regulation.
The FDA regulation also applies to using the terms no gluten, free of gluten, and without gluten on product labels. If you see any of those terms, and the manufacturer is following the FDAs gluten-free regulations, then the food should be gluten-free.
*A product that is labeled gluten-free may include the term wheat in the ingredient list or in a separate Contains wheat statement, but the label must also include the following statement: The wheat has been processed to allow this food to meet the Food and Drug Administration requirements for gluten-free foods.
If wheat starch is an ingredient in a GFCOcertified product, the wheat has been processed to such an extent that the food meets the GFCO standard of 10 ppm or less gluten.
What Does A Gluten Free Diet Look Like
A gluten free diet is simply a diet made up of gluten free foods. It may sound simple when you put it like that, but the truth is that gluten is hidden in many foods where you might not expect to see it. For example, soy sauce is made with wheat and some potato chips have gluten in the seasoning. Locating gluten in some foods can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. In order to be successful with a gluten free diet, you need to know which foods contain gluten gluten, and you need to avoid them.
So, what are the foods that are most likely to contain gluten? Here is a basic overview:
Many of the foods on the list above may seem like obvious sources of gluten. If you think so, great! It means that you already have a pretty good understanding of where gluten can be found in everyday food items. Keep in mind, however, that there is a whole other list of foods that contain hidden gluten or that may be cross-contaminated with it. Here are some of those foods:
Now that you have an idea of which foods contain gluten or are likely to contain gluten you have a foundation of knowledge on which to build your gluten free diet. But what exactly does a healthy gluten free diet look like?
Here is a list of some of the gluten free foods that you could include in your diet:
- Meat, poultry, and eggs
- Oats and oatmeal
- Milk, butter, cheese
- Herbs and spices
- Baking powder and baking soda
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Favorite App For Following A Gluten
This app from the Celiac Disease Foundation provides a database of gluten-free products and recipes. Simply use the search function to check if your favorite foods are available in gluten-free varieties. You can also search gluten-free foods by location and see whats new and available in your area. Eat! Gluten Free is available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.
May Help Relieve Digestive Symptoms
Most people try a gluten-free diet to help treat digestive problems. This includes many symptoms, such as:
Research shows that following a gluten-free diet can help ease digestive symptoms for people with celiac disease and NCGS .
According to one study of 856 people with celiac disease, those who didnt follow a gluten-free diet experienced significantly more diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach pain compared to those on a gluten-free diet .
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Reporting Adverse Effects And Labeling Concerns
Individuals who have experienced an injury or illness that they believe is associated with having eaten a particular food, including individuals with food allergies and those with celiac disease, should first seek appropriate medical care. Afterward, individuals should contact FDA.
Individuals can report a problem with a food or its labeling, such as potential misuse of gluten-free claims, to FDA in either of these ways:
The Beginners Guide To Going Gluten Free
If you or someone you know has cut out gluten, it can mean a total diet revamp. This can seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, were here to help! Read our full guide to going gluten free below.
As awareness of celiac disease becomes increasingly widespread, the popularity of the gluten free diet continues to grow. Unlike many modern diets, the gluten free diet is more than just a fad for people with celiac disease and wheat allergies or sensitivities, its a medical necessity.
Even a decade ago, the gluten free diet was largely a mystery except to people with celiac disease, who followed it as a matter of medical necessity. Today, however, going gluten free has become something of a trend. Some people mistakenly believe that a gluten free diet is the key to weight loss, though many who follow the diet for this reason have very little knowledge about the diet or about gluten at all.
While there are certainly those who misunderstand the gluten free diet, its rise in popularity has led to a surge in awareness among the general public and the food industry regarding celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and the gluten free diet in general. Restaurants have started to offer gluten free menus and gluten free food manufacturers are growing more and more numerous.
If you are thinking about making the switch to the gluten free diet or looking for some helpful tips, let this be your guide.
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