What is a Gluten-Free Diet – interested in eating a little more gluten-free? This is a great place to start!
Learn where to start, resources and try some fun new gluten-free recipes!
(This is informational ONLY. If you are considering a gluten-free diet please discuss with your doctor or a dietitian)
Have you been thinking about trying a gluten-free diet? If so, you have come to the right place!
What is Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in most grains.
What is a Gluten-Free Diet
Following a gluten-free diet would mean eliminating foods with gluten in them from your diet.
What Foods Contain Gluten
Some common foods that contain gluten are (non-exhaustive list):
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Triticale (a combination of what and rye)
- Corn
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Some oats
Wheat flours can have different names based on how the wheat is milled or how the flour is processed. All of the following flours have gluten:
- Enriched flour with added vitamins and minerals
- Farina, milled wheat usually used in hot cereals
- Graham flour, a course whole-wheat flour
- Self-rising flour, also called phosphate flour
- Semolina, the part of milled wheat used in pasta and couscous
Check here for a full list of foods that are allowed and not allowed when following a gluten-free diet.
Another way to see if a food contains gluten or not is to use a Nima device. It is a small portable device that uses small test capsules to analyze small samples of food for gluten. This is especially useful at a restaurant where it can be difficult to know if your food is gluten-free.
What are some reasons that people choose (or have to) eat a gluten-free diet
A person following a gluten-free diet might have Celiac Disease, a non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, Gluten Ataxia, a Wheat Allergy, or they might just find that foods containing gluten give them problems like:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- “Foggy brain”
- Rash
- Headache
What benefits might you see if you follow a gluten-free diet
When you remove foods with gluten in them from your diet you might notice that any of the above symptoms that you are experiencing might resolve themselves.
If you continue to experience some of these symptoms after eliminating gluten you might want to discuss this further with a doctor or registered dietitian.
The Whole30 effect – some people find that they feel better eating a gluten-free diet after doing a round of whole30, not because they are allergic, but after reintroduction they find they just feel better, lighter, and less bloated.
Now that you have identified what foods give you trouble, find what foods make your body feel great
It can be hard knowing that some foods that taste absolutely delicious don’t jive well with your body. But when you see how good your body will feel after omitting the foods that give you trouble – I promise you, it’s worth it!! There are so many delicious foods in this world and we are here to help you with some amazing recipes to fit the diet that helps you feel your best!
Here are a few gluten-free reader favorites
- Healthy Meatloaf
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Gluten Free Cornbread
- Healthy Trail Mix Bars
Interested in going gluten-free: tips on starting
- Learn ALL the foods that may contain gluten
- Learn about gluten-free certifications on packaged foods
- Track how you are feeling when you eat various foods with gluten
- Talk to a doctor or dietitian
- Start experimenting with new recipes! Here are a few we love:
Interested in other ways of eating
Leave a Rating & Comment