GLUTEN FREE
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Foods containing gluten are part of a healthy diet for most of the U.S. population. There are some individuals, however, that are not able to eat gluten-containing foods, such as those with gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, or Celiac Disease. These conditions can only be determined by a doctor after running a few diagnostic tests.
Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Foods containing gluten are part of a healthy diet for most of the U.S. population. There are some individuals, however, that are not able to eat gluten-containing foods, such as those with gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, or Celiac Disease. These conditions can only be determined by a doctor after running a few diagnostic tests.
Gluten Issues
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten intake. When an individual with Celiac Disease eats gluten, the body attacks and destroys the lining of the small intestine, which limits nutrient absorption. The only treatment is to remove gluten from the diet. Symptoms of Celiac Disease include stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, mood alterations, weight loss, joint pain, dermatitis herpetiformis (dry, itchy rash), and slowed growth.
Individuals with a gluten intolerance (or gluten sensitivity) are not able to tolerate and digest gluten. Symptoms are similar to those who have Celiac Disease, though intestinal damage does not occur.
A wheat allergy occurs when the body wrongfully identifies a component of wheat as harmful and sets off a response which results in a physical reaction. Symptoms of a wheat allergy can be as mild as itching or as severe as having trouble breathing (anaphylaxis).
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten intake. When an individual with Celiac Disease eats gluten, the body attacks and destroys the lining of the small intestine, which limits nutrient absorption. The only treatment is to remove gluten from the diet. Symptoms of Celiac Disease include stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, mood alterations, weight loss, joint pain, dermatitis herpetiformis (dry, itchy rash), and slowed growth.
Individuals with a gluten intolerance (or gluten sensitivity) are not able to tolerate and digest gluten. Symptoms are similar to those who have Celiac Disease, though intestinal damage does not occur.
A wheat allergy occurs when the body wrongfully identifies a component of wheat as harmful and sets off a response which results in a physical reaction. Symptoms of a wheat allergy can be as mild as itching or as severe as having trouble breathing (anaphylaxis).
Which Foods Contain Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in foods made from wheat, rye, barley, and triticale, or foods containing any ingredients derived from these grains. Some common foods containing these grains include the following:
Wheat: Breads, baked goods, pasta, cereals, salad dressings
Rye: Rye bread, cereals, triticale
Barley: Malt, food coloring, soups, malt vinegar, beer
This is not a comprehensive list. For more information, visit http://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/sources-of-gluten/
If you're thinking about going gluten free, it is advised that you see a registered dietitian to ensure you are getting all of the nutrients you need.
Gluten is a protein found in foods made from wheat, rye, barley, and triticale, or foods containing any ingredients derived from these grains. Some common foods containing these grains include the following:
This is not a comprehensive list. For more information, visit http://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/sources-of-gluten/
If you're thinking about going gluten free, it is advised that you see a registered dietitian to ensure you are getting all of the nutrients you need.
More Information
Information on Celiac Disease:
EatRight.org: Celiac Disease – An Introduction
NIH: What I Need to Know about Celiac Disease
Information on food sources of gluten and a gluten-free diet:
Celiac Disease Foundation: Sources of Gluten
EatRight.org: Processed Foods that May Contain Wheat, Rye, and Barley
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness: The Gluten-Free Diet
Sources:
1. Celiac Disease: An Introduction. EatRight.org website. May 12, 2015. http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/diseases-and-conditions/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-an-introduction. Accessed August 11, 2015.
2. Sources of Gluten. Celiac Disease Foundation website. https://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/sources-of-gluten/. Accessed August 11, 2015.
Information on Celiac Disease:
EatRight.org: Celiac Disease – An Introduction
NIH: What I Need to Know about Celiac Disease
Information on food sources of gluten and a gluten-free diet:
Celiac Disease Foundation: Sources of Gluten
EatRight.org: Processed Foods that May Contain Wheat, Rye, and Barley
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness: The Gluten-Free Diet
Sources:
1. Celiac Disease: An Introduction. EatRight.org website. May 12, 2015. http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/diseases-and-conditions/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-an-introduction. Accessed August 11, 2015.
2. Sources of Gluten. Celiac Disease Foundation website. https://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/sources-of-gluten/. Accessed August 11, 2015.