Food ingredients and additives can cause some people real problems. Those with food allergies or sensitivities can suffer serious health problems . Less common but even more serious are those who suffer critical difficulties like celiac disease may even face life threatening circumstances. One of the most common problems elements is gluten which comes from grains.
My wife is one of those who suffer when they eat anything with grains . Even a small portion of anything with wheat will trigger a severe headache or a rash. Her only choice is to avoid them.
A wheat free food plan is easier to accomplish than you might think. It is much easier than maintaining a gluten free diet. Yet, with a little bit of effort, you will find that soon you will enjoy eating a wide range of foods.
The key to avoiding these ingredients is to know what you are eating. Always check the components and look for warning labels as well as consumer labels like “gluten free”. Remember, your food may contain grains as the major elements or they may be used as additives to stabilize or thicken foods. Also, remember to check ingredients on medicines, vitamins, food supplements, cosmetics, and beverages.
Some of the labels can be misleading. Look for labels that include phrases like “modified food starch”, “vegetable proteins”, “vegetable starch”, “malt flavoring”, “glucose syrup”. Note if the label says from maize or rice, you should be fine. Any time you see wheat listed, it contains the problem elements .
Note, if your sensitivity is not extreme, you may be able to substitute spelt flour for wheat flour. However, to eliminate gluten entirely from your diet you will need to look to rice flour as your substitute.
With your health in mind, go the second mile in your efforts to find healthy foods and eliminate problem foods. Some suppliers neglect to list all the suspect elements . Some inadvertently contaminate foods with other grains or flours. Labels like “gluten free” help, but be sure to track your foods, brands, and packaging.
Your food journal is a critical tool to keep your eating healthy and safe. When you eat , write down each product, read the labels, identify and use only safe foods in your meal preparation. Reference your food diary frequently and keep it up do date.
Sharing our kitchens with others who do not have our sensitivities can pose difficulties . If you are not careful, you can find your gluten free flour mixed or contaminated by other flours. Storage, cleaning, and cooking practices need to defend against such contamination.
A gluten or wheat free kitchen is ideal. Even a free zone can be a blessing. A little creativity will help you replace problem foods with healthy ones that everyone can enjoy. Spelt noodles are a bit different but just as good as more typical wheat noodles. You can make sauces, gravies, soups, casseroles, breads, cakes, desserts, and just about anything you can imagine with alternative elements .
Your key to healthy eating is knowledge. You can eat with confidence when you know what is in your food and drink. Take responsibility, investigate, track, and choose wisely. Then you will be able to enjoy great nutrition and health eating.
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