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Why “Real Food” Is Important to the Gluten-free Community

Real Gluten Free Foods

“Real Food” can be defined as natural, unprocessed, traditional and nourishing foods that human have always eaten. This includes things like whole fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, fish and seafood, and animal protein. These lie in stark contrast to our modern foods which have been grown with the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, have very often been genetically modified, and had chemicals and flavorings (synthetics and other highly-addictive allergens) added.

For those living a gluten-free lifestyle, supporting “real food”, or “pro food” as it’s sometimes called, with our purchases is important because it reduces the risk of being exposed to and ingesting gluten. Processed foods — both conventional and

Expert Rebukes Warnings Against Gluten-free for Dieters

[Editor’s Note: Warnings against the gluten-free diet are on the rise, which makes no sense given the facts that the rate of successful medical diagnosis of gluten disorders is woefully inadequate, replacing gluten containing foods with gluten-free alternatives has no detrimental affect on nutritional status and the benefits of  removing gluten from the diet of people who suffer from gluten disorders are widely documented. The following is a response by gluten-free author and expert, Ron Hoggan, Ed. D, to a recent piece in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “Dieters Warned on Going Gluten-free,” by China Millman.”]

 

Dear China Millman,

Thank you for your interesting article on gluten-free dieting.  I was very pleased to read that you include patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity among those who should follow a gluten free diet.  I assume that you have arrived at your estimate of 20 million who are afflicted with wheat allergy, non-celiac and celiac gluten sensitivity using Dr. Fasano’s  estimate that 6 to 7 percent of Americans have what you refer to as this “milder form of gluten intolerance”.  There are other

It’s That Time of Year Again! Losing Weight Gluten-free!!

Happy New Year Celiac Scoop friends! I hope everyone had wonderful Gluten-Free Holidays! My holidays were filled with family….friends….and delightful Gluten-Free Goodies.

Unfortunately…that means my jeans are now a little too tight, and I’m afraid to step on the scale at the gym. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat right now… But, let’s not get down about it. We all have to “splurge” once in a while… and let’s face it, one of the fun things about the holidays is doing just that. In December, we shop too much, we spend too much money, and we eat waaay too much.

But here it is! A New Year! New possibilities are ahead of us, and its the perfect time to develop healthy new habits. It shouldn’t be about going “on a diet” just to lose the holiday weight…it should be about making permanent lifestyle changes… It’s about living our healthiest! And living Gluten-Free and being healthy should go hand in hand. :)

So, cheers to 2011, and making it the healthiest yet! Who’s with me?!?!Here are some tips on weight loss that have helped me every time I’ve gained a few and want to get back on track asap:

Everyone on a Gluten Free Diet?

I have thought for a long time about this very question.  Who would suggest such a thing?

I would. The main reason I would dare to make such a statement is because we have been so negligent in recognizing and treating people with celiac disease.  Not a day goes by that I don’t hear about or speak to someone directly who has suffered needlessly for years.  The other main point I want to make is that NONE of the currently available testing is 100%.

The blood tests and endoscopic biopsies are great tools if they are positive. If they are negative, I have heard of too many people tell me ‘I don’t have celiac disease, my blood test/biopsy was negative’.  This is a major cause for concern to me.  Both of these tests do not confirm you don’t have, or will never develop celiac disease.  First, neither test is 100% reliable.  Second, both tests are simply a snapshot

The First Step in Accepting a Gluten-free Diet

Finding out that you have to eat differently than you have your entire life can come as a complete shock. Receiving a diagnosis of Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity and being told that you can no longer eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, may seem overwhelming, confusing, frustrating, and impossible at first. This can especially be true if you are not accustomed to reading labels, if you

Gluten Free Diets May Reduce Autistic Behavior

                                                  

The CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network released data in 2007 that found about 1 in 150 (8-year-old) children in multiple areas of the United States had an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The number of diagnosed cases of autism is on the rise; the reason(s) for this is unclear.   Autism knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries.  Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not appear to affect the chance of occurrence.

Fortunately, dietary changes can make a significant change in people with autism.  Research is profound on the positive impact that a gluten and casein free diet can make on children with autism.  Gluten and/or casein free diets have been implemented to reduce autistic behavior, in addition to special education, since the early eighties {Autism, Vol. 3, No. 1, 45-65 (1999)}.  The scientific studies include

Old Spice Actor Reveals Gluten-free Diet Secret on Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Isaiah Mustafa, the actor build best known for his impressive build, good humor and over-the-top bravado in the Emmy-nominated Old Spice commercials, recently revealed the diet he follows to achieve his chiseled physique on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

According to Mustafa, celebrity trainer Tony Horton has him on a diet that contains no alcohol, caffeine, processed sugar, animal products or gluten. Horton is the producer of the wildly popular workout videos, P90X.

First Steps in Creating a Gluten-free Kitchen

Going gluten free isn’t the easiest task in the world but with some research and a variety of stores to go to, it can be an exciting adventure.

Stock it so its ready to go when you are! Photo: Decoratorchoice.net

Delicious food doesn’t always have to contain gluten—I swear! First, it is important to decide what is most important to you. If baked goods are your thing then you need to stock your pantry with all the essentials to make what you want. Here is a great gluten free pantry list I was given by a Certified Nutritionist:

Gluten Free Must Haves

Pantry:

Broths/stocks
Beans and lentils

Chronically-ill? Could Your Problem Be as Simple as Untreated Celiac Disease?

 Identifying celiac disease may seem simple enough. After all, there are tests your doctor can perform to determine if your body is reacting to gluten, the grain protein that those with celiac disease cannot tolerate. However, it is becoming more and more accepted that celiac disease may not always present as classic gut symptoms. Instead, celiac disease can cause and contribute to other diseases, deficiencies, ailments, and conditions. Because of this, some people with celiac disease may be diagnosed with diseases that could have been prevented or can be eliminated by a simple gluten-free diet. In other words, celiac is often considered the “root cause” of other conditions, even though it is seldom tested for in chronically-ill people.

Enjoy Gluten-Free Dining at Macaroni Grill

Most Italian restaurants are a minefield for gluten-free diners, but now you can add Macaroni Grill to the list of Italian restaurants that are more than accomodating to gluten allergies. Not only does Macaroni Grill offer a gluten-free menu, they also have special menus for those who have Shellfish, Tree Nut, Soy, Egg, and Peanut allergies.

So what can you get at Macaroni Grill?