Avoiding Gluten

A gluten free diet is your only treatment for Celiac. 
However in addition to food, gluten is found in many
medicines and non food items.  You need to ask and
 inquire about any over the counter medicines, vitamins
 and prescribed pills.  Gluten can also hid in herbal and
 nutritional supplements.

Other concerned products are cosmetics, mainly lip
glosses and lip balm.
Some toothpastes and mouthwashes contain gluten,
and lastly communion wafers.  These are just some
 of where gluten hides.  Reading labels can help, and
using products that state gluten free.  If a product isn't
labeled then call company for ingredients.

Gluten Free Diet And Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin
rash.  These symptoms improve with a gluten free
diet.  If gluten is ingested, the rash usually comes
back.

There are medicines to help with the rash, these
usually improve the rash.  The intestinal damage
is still there, a gluten free diet  should be followed.

Even when you follow a strict gluten free diet, the
rash may take months or a year to fully heal.
The key is getting a diagnosis as early as possible,
to avoid too much damage.

How To Avoid Gluten

The only treatment for Celiac disease is a gluten free diet. 
Gluten is a protein found naturally in wheat, barley, and rye
that triggers a reaction if you have Celiac disease.
Symptoms improve for most people when following a gluten
free diet. 

Recently, stores and restaurants have added many gluten free
foods and options.  A Registered Dietitian can assist you with
label reading, making healthy food plans, and overall
your new healthy lifestyle.

The small intestine usually heals in about 6 months in children.
In adults complete healing can take years.  Once healed, the villi,
which were damaged by the disease, regrow and will absorb
nutrients from food into the bloodstream normally.

Gluten Free Eating

Gluten free eating is a popular trend in the United States,
 with  approximately 30% of adults are eating gluten free.
 But is it really necessary, or is this a fad that will fade? 
That answer we just don't know.

So who should be eating gluten free?
People with Celiac disease must eat 100% gluten free.
People with a wheat allergy must eat wheat free and may
 need to eat gluten free.People with gluten intolerance may
 also need to eat gluten free, if they have symptoms when
eating gluten.

So if eating gluten free helps your joint pain, headaches and stomach
issues, then continue.  It is worth it to you, to see your doctor and get
a diagnosis.  In some cases it can take up to a year of gluten free eating
to feel better.

The Great Oat Debate

When eating gluten free, many grains are a definite no, however
why are some  people with Celiac unable to eat oats?

One main reason is cross contamination.  In most factories oats
are processed with other grains. They are processed on same equipment. 
Oats are also grown in fields next to wheat, rye and barley. People think
 the answer is easy, just eat certified gluten free oats, right? 

This brings us to another issue, some people with Celiac
still can not eat certified gluten free oats.  The culprit could be
avenin, a protein found in oats that is similar to gluten
in wheat.

It depends on the person, if oats bother you, best bet stay
away from them.  My suggestion regardless, only use
certified gluten free oats, if tolerated. 

Gluten Free Resolutions For The New Year!

It is that time of year again, everyone makes a resolution or two.  Here are a few that people with Celiac should make.  I feel the hardest part of having a food allergy is not really the food, it is the entire social aspect that comes with food.  I know my son feels I am obsessed with his gluten allergy, however I feel responsible for it.  Here are a few resolutions I will keep in 2017 and all with gluten allergy should too. 

1.  Eat naturally gluten free foods.  Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats.  Avoid processed, packaged foods.
2.  Carry some snacks and food with you.  There will be times of hunger, and no gluten free choices.  In these cases, you need to be prepared.  Teach kids never to be embarrassed. 
3.  Educate people on your disease.  The more people know, the more they will understand. 
4.  Always look out for hidden gluten, and cross contamination.

Here's to a gluten free 2017!

Happy 2017!!!!!

2017