Living With A Gluten-Free Diet And Celiac Disease
It can be very hard for the newly-diagnosed celiac patient-having to make a somewhat dramatic change in your diet. Because you cannot consume anything with gluten-containing grains-wheat, barley and rye, of course, you might think that living on this diet will always be stressful and completely unsatisfying from a convenience and taste standpoint.
The Celiac disease, because glutens are insoluble and indigestible, is a disease afflicting millions of people. Barley, wheat, and rye can be very harmful to anyone with the disease, as well as a large number of products that are derived from the former. Typical symptoms are irritable or inflamed bowels; chronic weakness; mental/behavior problems; very dry skin; bone density loss and a prolonged, increased appetite. While that is not an exhaustive list, it contains most of the more-common symptoms.
Many people are even unaware that they have Celiac for many years, and they-unknowingly-continue to dump toxic proteins into their small intestine. With enough time, it becomes more and more inflamed and can lead to a significant loss in the quality of their lives-not to mention a host of complications that commonly arise from it.
The rule of thumb is to stay away from highly-processed, highly-unnatural foods and go towards things like gluten free flour and other organic foods. For obvious reasons, don’t even let “fast food” enter your mind-as that can be a one-way ticket to a very unpleasant life, to put it mildly. Think of it like this: you not only improve your chances of your intestines becoming inflamed, you also get to lose weight (if you happen to be overweight, that is).
Gluten free flour is one of the most important things to consider whilst cooking. Never use any flour that contains barley or rye; instead, things like gluten free flour, potato and/or corn starch, organic fruits and vegetables, and fresh meat (given that it’s not marinated, breaded or coated in batter). Even wine and liquor is usually acceptable (beer is not, because it is not distilled).
Other kinds of gluten free flours include Almond meal flour, black/red bean, white cornmeal and “blue” cornmeal. Even more of these special flours include: brown flax-seed meal, millet flour, potato and potato starch flour. You didn’t know so many wheat-free flours existed, did you?
These are only a few of the possibilities concerning those suffering from Celiac. In any case, it’s so important that you make sure that (even if a food item says it is “gluten free”) that it is indeed that, and that no cross-contamination has occurred in the plants where they are produced. It’s also very beneficial to have access to a regular doctor, dietitian and/or gastroenterologist. They will be able to assist you in a diet more than anything or anyone.
Here’s a good recipe for rising-flour that you can even make right in your kitchen. Gather a half-teaspoon cream of tartar, a half-teaspoon of bicarbonate soft drink, two tablespoons potato flour + the difference left of a cup of rice flour (1 cup rice flour MINUS the 2 tablespoons potato flour it takes to fill it to the top), and finally-a teaspoon xanthan gum. As far as meats are concerned, you’re covered! Pot roast, Peppercorn-flavored beef (that’s 100% fresh, with all meat products), fresh turkey, fresh-unflavored pork and lightly-seasoned steak that has no marinades are usually good. Stay away from any breaded or fried foods though, stay far away.
…health-food stores. They can be light-years ahead of grocery stores when it comes to Celiac and finding what you need. That’s because they are specialized not-only for the celiac patient, but also for vegetarians and people with other food allergies. However, even in a health food grocery store, always be alert and discerning about buying groceries. Make positively sure they do not contain gluten, and even call the manufacturer (almost always printed right there on the back of the package) to verify if you’re uncertain.
Marisca DeJolie is a normal housewife and mother who decided years ago to become a food expert for the sake of her health and that of her family. She has recently found The Gluten Free Family site and it excited about all the health benefits that a gluten free diet can have and invites you to learn more as well.
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