If you suffer from celiac disease, then you know the
importance of a gluten free diet. As gluten is such a widely used protein, it
can be hard to avoid it. It is getting easier though.
In 2006, The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection
Act (FALCPA), took effect. It requires food to be labeled to clearly spell out
common food allergens like wheat. This makes it somewhat easier for celiac
disease suffers to stick to gluten free diets and prepare gluten free recipes.
Gluten free Recipes: What to Look for to Prepare Healthy
Meals
Gluten free food products are becoming more widely available
in mainstream stores, as well as specialty health food outlets. Following are
some foods that can be used to make palate-pleasing, gluten free recipes:
Gluten free Recipes and Meats:
The main thing to remember
about meats when preparing gluten free recipes is to stay away from processed
meats. Plain meats, chicken and fish, for example, are fine.
Gluten free Recipes and Fruits: Gluten is not naturally found
in fruits. Hence, it's easy to prepare gluten free recipes that call for
fruits.
Gluten free Recipes, Vegetables, Grains and Dairy Products:
Corn, flax, buckwheat, potatoes, legumes, nuts, soy, tapioca, and most natural
cheeses are all allowed choices for preparing gluten free recipes.
Gluten Free Recipes: What NOT to Eat
A general rule of thumb when preparing gluten free recipes is
to stay away from the following:
(i) processed meats: many of these contain gluten which is
found in modified food starches, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and/or fat
substitutes.
(ii) most flours: white flour, self-rising flour and other
enriched flours contain gluten.
(iii) processed foods in general: there are many processed
food that you wouldn't normally think of as processed foods, eg, vegetables in
sauce, soy sauce, prepared sauces and a self-basting turkey, for example. If it's processed, you should question it because it probably
contains gluten.
Gluten free Recipes: An Exciting, Healthy New Way of Eating
The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to gluten free
recipes is that there are a plethora of options available to celiac disease
sufferers. Instead of focusing on what you can't have, the key is to focus on
gluten free recipesyou can prepare.
Eating gluten free is a lifestyle change. Use it to your
advantage by stimulating your palate. Preparing gluten free recipes is not a
punishment; it can be an exciting new way of approaching food.