What is Gluten? And why are people eating “Gluten Free”?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye that can be devastating to people with gluten intolerance. People with autism or celiac disease cannot have gluten at all. It makes them extremely sick. Even a speck of it on their food can send them to the hospital. Children with autism, who adapt to a gluten-free, casein-free diet, are able to focus in school and live a much healthier life. The worst part about eating a Gluten Free diet, is that it’s in most every meal we eat. It’s in pasta, bread, rolls, pizza, donuts, crackers, cookies, sauces, gravy’s, cereals and most anything tasty.
“Gluten Free” is not a “Weight Loss Diet.” If you eat very much grain, you will gain weight. I’ve heard people calling Gluten Free diets a new FAD Diet. Nothing is farther from the truth. If you have Celiac Disease or a child with Autism, you know that it’s a Lifestyle and also can be a Life and Death situation if you mess up and eat a burger on wheat/white bread. I found that when I eat anything with white or wheat bread I bloat and become irritable. I removed gluten from my diet for 2 weeks and the bloating went away and my mood swings stopped. I now eat mostly gluten free food and lots more vegetables and foods that wouldn’t normally contain gluten anyway.
There is a ton of information on the internet about Gluten Free eating. A great publication is: “Eating Without”. There you will find dozens of Gluten Free recipes andarticles about it too.
If you have a gluten intolerance, there are some great choices in gluten free baked goods. Gluten Free Nation in Houston is my local favorite. Udi’s Gluten Free in Colorado is another great bakery. Sami’s Bakery in Florida makes a tasty bread without wheat, but is not certified Gluten Free since they have wheat in their bakery. Gluten Free Bakeries are popping up all over. Even if you don’t have problems with gluten, you should try some of the wonderful baked goods they make.
Most Gluten Free Bakeries will ship directly to your home, so you don’t have to drive all over looking for Gluten Free products that you like. Most supermarkets have a Gluten Free section in their store.
