Glutenin, better known as gluten, is found in rye, wheat, oats and barely. The protien is a rubbery-like substance that helps hold dough together, making it a common ingrediant in bread and baked goods. There are countless people that are allergic to gluten or that have a gluten intolerance and since the symptoms seem to mimic those of other medical issues, they may not even be aware of their condition.

It’s extremely important to follow a gluten free diet plan if you have problems digesting the protien or if you have an allergic reaction after consuming foods that contain gluten. Of course you should always seek the opinion of a medical professional so that they can properly disgnose your condition, but the symptoms should subside once your body is gluten free. In addtion to people who and allergic, diabetics and those with celiac disease should also follow a diet that is free of glutenin. There are a lot of foods that contain gluten, so be prepared for a drastic change in your life. It’s always best to have the support of you family and/or friends when changing your diet and they can benefit from being gluten free as well. While the list of foods to avoid may seem lengthy, keep in mind that as awareness to the condition grows, more and more companies are offering gluten-free products, gluten free cookbooks and you can always alter your own recipes to make your favorite foods gluten free!

Gluten Free Diet Plan – Foods to Avoid

• alcoholic beverages
• some baby foods
• batter-fried foods
• biscuits
• bologna
• bouillon
• bread, bread crumbs, croutons
• buns, cakes, candy, cookies
• cereal
• chocolate, cocoa
• cold cuts
• cornbread
• crackers, graham crackers
• cream of wheat
• doughnuts, pasteries, pie
• dumplings
• flour
• granola
• gravy
• ice cream, ice cream cones
• hot dogs
• liverwurst
• macaroni
• malt products, malted milk,
• mayonnaise
• MSG
• muffins
• noodles, pasta, spaghetti
• ovaltine
• pancake mixes
• pita bread
• pizza
• pepper
• pretzels
• pudding
• sausage
• soups
• soy sauce
• tortillas
• waffles
• wheat germ
• some yeasts

I know the list seems long and it may seem like you just lost all of your favorite meals. Don’t worry though, living a gluten free life doesn’t have to be difficult, with the right products, recipes and knowledge you will be eating the foods you love in no time.

Gluten Free Diet Plan – What You Can Eat

Protein Foods: meats; fish; eggs; soy milk (malt free); eggs; beans such as kidney, navy, white, and lentils; nuts; seeds; tofu; peanut butter.

Dairy Products: milk; whey; lactose; cottage cheese; cream; cream cheese; plain yogurt; cheese.

Fruits & Vegetables: fresh and frozen fruits; fresh and frozen vegetables; fruit and vegetable juices.

Bread & Baked Goods & Rice: bread and pasta made from rice; corn; amaranth; soy; pea flour; bean flour; arrowroot flour; buckwheat flour; chickpea flour; millet flour; potato flour; sorghum flour; tapioca starch flour; tapioca; quinoa; millet; flax; buckwheat; brown and white rice; kasha.

Fats: canola and vegetable oils; lard; butter; margarine.

Beverages: Coffee; regular and diet soda; tea; cocoa; wines; fruit juices; distilled liquors.

Condiments: herbs & spices; olives; pickles; Tabasco sauce; MSG (monosodium glutamate); baking soda; yeast; brewer’s yeast; aspartame; xylitol; splenda; sucralose; vanilla.

Deserts: maple syrup; corn syrup; honey; jelly; molasses; corn syrup; cakes and cookies made with wheat-gluten free ingredients

If you suffer from gluten intolerances or allergies it’s extremely important that you eliminate all foods that contain the protien. Unfortunately, for a lot of people extreme diet restrictions can be aggravating and depressing. Simply knowing that you aren’t allowed to have certain foods, can make you crave them even more. If you have an intolerance or allergy to gluten there are a lot of foods, like pasta, bread and baked goods, that have to be eliminated from the list of foods that you can consume. However, as more and more people become aware of health issues that surround gluten, more and more companies are creating products specifically for you and you can even learn to alter your favorite recipes so that you can still enjoy the foods that you love. Keep in mind the most important thing you can do when changing the way you eat is to not do it alone. You will be more successful if you have the support of your family and/or friends.

Red Mill Gluten Free Cake Mix

Gluten Free Products

An excellent option for those who require a gluten free diet is using some of the numerous gluten free products on the market. While these products can be a little more pricey than the regular store-bought products, they do allow you to eat the foods that you enjoy. Some of the many products you can find in gluten free versions are:

• Mac and Cheese
• Bread Mix
• Cake Mix
• Pasta
• Brownie Mix
• Cookie Mix
• Fruit Snacks
• Pancake Mix
• Crackers

Gluten Free Recipes

There are a wide variety of cookbooks out there for people on a gluten-free diet. They can be purchased in book form and even ebook form. You can find cookbooks that teach you how to make everyday foods and meals without gluten and there are even baking books that will help you make some sweet treats that you are able to enjoy. Once you get used to living a gluten-free life, you should also easily be able to alter your own recipes. That means you can enjoy the meals that you and your family love and they won’t harm your body. There’s no reason living gluten-free should be hard and it doesn’t have to be. 

Gluten Free Bread Recipe

Ingredients -

1 egg
1/3 cup egg whites
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cups warm skim milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon xanthan gum
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
1/4 cup millet flour
1 cup white rice flour
1 cup brown rice flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast

Directions -

1.Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select cycle; press Start. Five minutes into the cycle, check the consistency of the dough. Add additional rice flour or liquid if necessary.
2.When bread is finished, let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from pan.

Like other food allergies wheat allergy symptoms can range from mild and severe; they can also vary from person to person. Since wheat is the grain that contains the most of the protein gluten, people often confuse a wheat allergy with a gluten intolerance or allergy. Also, keep in mind that while a gluten-free diet is suitable for someone with a wheat allergy, a wheat-free diet is not suitable for someone with a gluten intolerance or allergy. This is because there are other products that contain gluten besides wheat. Someone who suffers rom a wheat allergy should avoid consuming wheat, as well as any wheat by-products.

Wheat Allergy Symptoms – What to Look For

• trouble breathing or shortness of breathe
• hives
• itchy skin rash
• anaphylaxis
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• abdominal cramps
• bloating
• flatulence

If you are allergic to wheat, you will experience symptoms shortly after consuming any food that contains the wholesome grain. You may notice only one symptoms or you may suffer from a combination of symtpoms. Regardless of how severe your symptoms are, you should seek medical attention immediately to ensure that they don’t worsen.