Have you noticed how many products are labeled “gluten-free”? It’s overwhelming. Is everyone out there allergic to gluten? Does going “gluten-free” really matter? For whatever reason, we have heard that gluten is bad for you and that in order to be healthy we need to stay away from bread, pasta and grains. Truthfully, there are some people who are allergic to gluten and they are diagnosed with celiac disease and gluten is off limits. There are also some people who have a sensitivity to gluten so they are careful about what they eat. I believe that you have to know your body and listen to the signs that your body tells you. I also believe that you should eat whole foods- not ones that come in a bag. Is eating a bag of gluten-free chips or gluten-free chocolate chip cookies really good for you? Probably not.
If you are allergic to gluten or have a sensitivity to it, here is a short list of food that In addition to pure wheat, all of its forms are off-limits: wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, couscous, cracked wheat, durum,farina, faro,kamut, matzo, semolina, spelt.
Other offenders are: barley, bulgur, oats (oats themselves don’t contain gluten, but are often processed in facilities that produce gluten-containing grains and may be contaminated), rye, seitan.
As well, gluten may also show up as an ingredient in: barley malt, chicken broth, malt, vinegar, some salad dressings, veggie burgers (if not specified gluten-free), soy sauce, seasonings and spice mixes, soba noodles, and condiments.
So, what can you eat? The list of off-limit items may seem daunting at first. Thankfully, there are plenty of replacements on the menu. Lots of foods are naturally gluten-free, including: fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, legumes, nuts, potatoes, eggs, dairy products, oils and vinegars, corn, rice, fish, lean beef, chicken and seafood.
I know that this may seem overwhelming, but really it isn’t. It helps to keep a food diary and you will learn to understand your body and what foods work best for you. This will help pave your road to a healthy lifestyle that is as manageable as getting out of bed and brushing your teeth. The take home message- eat whole foods and practice eating healthy on a daily basis- it’s the only real way for a healthy life.