Gluten Free Diet

Gluten allergy is a common health problem among people of all ages. This article will provide you a healthy gluten free diet plan, along with the gluten free diet benefits.

Having gluten allergy is not a serious matter. But, when left untreated, gluten allergy can lead to serious complications, like cancer or bone disease. Gluten is actually a type of protein and as you know, proteins are required by the body for various purposes. A number of people suffer from gluten allergy. Gluten can damage the interior lining of the small intestine of the person having gluten allergy. The small intestine then fails to absorb the essential nutrients, required by the body. If any of your parents or family member has gluten allergy, the chances of you having gluten allergy are more.

The symptoms of gluten allergy are not easy to detect as they are similar to symptoms of many other diseases related to dysfunction of digestive system. If you are diagnosed with gluten allergy, it is better to keep the gluten free food list handy, while opting for a gluten free diet plan. Mouth ulcers, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, anemia and constipation are some of the common symptoms of gluten allergy.

Gluten Free Diet Foods

A gluten free diet list includes variety of food items, so you don't have to worry about what to eat. Here are some of the gluten free diet foods.

Wine

Tofu

Honey

Almonds

Eggs

Flaxseed

Fruits (Fresh)

Dried Fruits

Milk

Peanuts

Cocoa Butter

Plain Unflavored Yogurt

Balsamic Vinegar

Chestnuts

Citric Acid

Flaked Rice

Fresh Fish

Shell Fish

Canola Oil

Arrowroot

Peas and Pea flour

A person diagnosed with gluten allergy, should avoid wheat, barley, rye and triticale ( cross of wheat and rye). All products related to wheat like wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, cracked wheat, hydrolyzed wheat protein, etc. should be avoided. Processed foods that may contain wheat, barley or rye should also be avoided.

Sample Gluten Free Diet Plan

A sample gluten free diet plan will consist of:

Breakfast: Tea, a bowl of hot 'non wheat' cereal. Fresh fruits. You can have scrambled, fried, poached, omelet with veggies, and frittatas.

Morning Snack: Apple, apple juice.

Lunch: Roasted chicken breast, any lean meat, Mixed salad, fruit juice, ice tea, glass of wine.

Evening Snack: Dried fruits and nuts, Gluten free rice crackers with cheese and tomato, low fat microwave popcorn, gluten free biscuits.

Dinner: Meat (seasoned with salt, pepper, and/or other herbs), a side of fresh vegetables, and a side of cooked wild rice with potatoes.

Many restaurants offer gluten free menus. These days, gluten free bars are available, which you can enjoy as snacks. You can also have gluten free bread.

Gluten Free Diet Benefits

With the help of gluten free diet, you can fight gluten allergy and prevent the situation from worsening. A gluten free diet can help you manage the diseases like celiac disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, anemia, diabetes, Down's syndrome, osteoporosis, cognitive problems, etc. If you want to know about gluten free diet recipes, read more on

Diabetic Gluten Free Dessert Recipes

Recipes for Gluten Free Desserts

It is better to follow a gluten free well balanced diet, than to suffer from the life threatening effects of allergy. A number of ready-to-eat gluten free meals are available commercially and you can choose from them as per your liking. But, preparing your own gluten free meals using gluten free ingredients and food items will be a reliable and a healthier option. It is better to avoid ready to eat foods, when you are not sure of the contents.