Gluten Free Living

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 diets free of gluten and prepare recipes following these guidelines.

Gluten-free Recipes Tips: What to Look for to Prepare Healthy Meals

Food products without glutenare 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, recipes that don’t contain gluten.

Meats: The main thing to remember about meats when preparing recipes that don’t contain gluten is to stay away from processed meats. Plain meats, chicken and fish, for example, are fine.

Fruits: Gluten is not naturally found in fruits. Hence, it’s easy to prepare gluten free recipes that call for fruits.

Vegetables, Grains and Dairy Products: Corn, flax, buckwheat, potatoes, legumes, nuts, soy, tapioca, and most natural cheeses are all allowed choices for those who don’t want to consume gluten.

Gluten-free Recipes Tips: What NOT to Eat

A general rule of thumb when preparing recipes without gluten 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.

Recipes without the Gluten: An Exciting, Healthy New Way of Eating

The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to these types of 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 recipes you can prepare.

Not eating gluten is a lifestyle change. Use it to your advantage by stimulating your palate. Preparing recipes free of gluten is not a punishment; it can be an exciting new way of approaching food.

BeFreeForMe.com enables people who suffer from celiac disease and food allergies a place to find support, recipes, reviews, articles, samples and coupons to effectively manage their allergies and save money in the process. There are gluten-free recipes for children with food allergies, as well as adults with food allergies. The coupons on the site are offered in quarterly mailings and via the web, making it easy for you to access them 24/7/365.