The Story on Gluten

Remember when it was all the craze to eliminate wheat from your diet because of a known wheat allergy? Well, now you’ll notice that it’s since been narrowed down to gluten, an ingredient found in wheat. Now that we know that gluten is really the culprit, it is no longer just wheat that must be avoided for those with an intolerance, but all food products that contain gluten.

So, what’s the problem with this plant protein called gluten? For some people, there’s no problem at all. For others, it can wreak havoc on the body if the immune system recognizes it as a harmful substance. If it does, the small intestine will react negatively, causing inflammation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. This condition is called celiac disease and is actually considered an autoimmune disorder because the body sees it as an enemy of the digestive track and therefore, rejects it.

Symptoms can mild to severe (and in some cases, life-threatening) and a test can confirm the existence of the disease, although some have been known to show a false negative. The best remedy if celiac is suspected is to experiment by eliminating gluten for two weeks to see if there is a decrease or disappearance in symptoms. Other possible reactions to gluten may include hives, weight loss, or asthma.

Celiac.Com

This is a comprehensive site that was created in 1995 for the sole purpose of helping people with a gluten intolerance or who have celiac disease. It offers news, recipes, diet information, gluten-free specialty company listings, food reviews, and a wealth of information about celiac disease.

The biggest gluten culprits:

Bread
Cookies
Crackers
Cereals
Grains
Wheat
Barley
Rye

Non-foods that may have gluten include some cosmetics (particularly lip products), beer, vitamins and other supplements. Oats cannot be tolerated by people with a severe allergy to gluten.

The most common naturally gluten-free foods:

Rice
Corn
Potatoes
Broiled meats
Fruits
Soy-based products
Grains
Quinoa
Millet
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Arrowroot

Trends and Statistics on Gluten Intolerance

This recent Los Angeles Times article sheds light on where we’re headed with shopping gluten-free. It says that in 2007, seven hundred new gluten-free products appeared on the American market. Here is a statistical quote from the article, and its link:

According to a March 2007 survey by the market research company Mintel, 8% of the U.S. population look for gluten-free products when they shop. Nielsen Co., which tracks gluten-free food in U.S. grocery, drug and mass merchandiser stores (excluding Wal-Mart), reports that the gluten-free sector increased 20% in the 12-month period ending June 14, to $1.75 billion from $1.46 billion a year ago.

It further states that it’s not just the awareness of celiac disease that has prompted the sale of these products, but also the possible gluten connection to autism spectrum disorder. Living a gluten-free lifestyle has also become appealing to those who do not have full blown celiac disease (caused by an allergy to gluten) but simply have an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten. These people typically experience gastrointestinal disturbances.

Reference: LA Times Article

The best websites offering gluten-free recipes

• GlutenFreeDA—An online cooking magazine with lots of recipes, many kid-friendly.
• GlutenFree.com—a humongous source of gluten-free foods with “best of” in each category.
• GlutenSolutions.com—This online store allows you to order gluten-free foods according to the specifics of your diet. It asks you upfront what ingredients you avoid (if any) besides gluten. You get a free energy bar with orders of at least ten items, and you’ll also get two dollars off the shipping price with fifteen items or more.

Gluten-free Restaurants

• GluetenFreeRestaurants.org– You can find gluten-free restaurants in your area by putting in your zip code.
• GlutenFreeOnTheGo.com – This website calls itself the celiac friendly guide to cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Some listings are in European cities.