GLUTEN…WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT?

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein in the endosperm of some grains such as wheat, rye, and barley.  Gluten is responsible for the elasticity of dough, which allows it to rise by holding the gas made by the yeast. 

What is Gluten-Intolerance?

Known as Celiac Sprue, Gluten-intolerance is an inherited, autoimmune disease.  The lining of the small intestines is damaged from eating foods containing gluten, and the patient cannot absorb nutrients properly.  As a result several other organ systems may also be affected.

What is the treatment for Gluten-Intolerance?

Gluten intolerance requires the person to maintain a life-long “Gluten-free” diet.  This allows the intestinal lining to heal.  Care must be taken with everything they ingest to be certain that even their beverages and medications, as well as there food, does not have hidden gluten in them.

Where do I find help?

If you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, you may need help in finding how to live with this disease.

We suggest that you check out the Celiac Sprue website at www.csaceliacs.org .  It is an organization of fellow sufferers and has all sorts of help with food selections and sources, professional advice and guidance, local support groups and the latest information available.

We also recommend the following books filled with Gluten free recipes:

The Gluten-Free Gourmet Bakes Bread: More than 200 Wheat-free Recipes by Bette Hagman.

The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy: Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free with Less Fuss and Less Fat by Bette Hagman.

The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods: Creating Old Favorites with the New Flours by Bette Hagman.

Special Diet Solutions: Healthy Cooking Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Yeast or Refined Sugar by Carol Lee Fenster

Wheat-Free Recipes and Menus by Carol Lee Fenster

Gluten-Free 101: Easy Basic Dishes without Wheat by Carol Lee Fenster

Cooking Free: 200 Flavorful Recipes for People with Food Allergies and Multiple Food Sensitivities by Carol Lee Fenster.

All are available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com

Many gluten free products are available throughout our web site and we do our best to mark the ones that are known gluten free or are manufactured in a gluten free facility.