Archive for the 'Gluten Free Food' Category
Gluten Free Food | 15.08.2010 9:47 | No Comments
Diagnosing celiac disease has traditionally been hard because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression. However, scientists have made a lot of progress in diagnosis and have realized that people with celiac disease have a higher level of antibodies in the blood than normal. Antibodies are produced by the immune system when it perceives a threatening substance. Therefore a test of the level of antibodies in the blood is used to diagnose celiac disease. Physicians test blood to measure the levels of antibodies as the first step of celiac treatment.
The present known treatment for celiac disease(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Celiac-Disease.html) is a strict gluten-free diet, which is necessary to keep for a lifetime in order to be effective. But reasons a gluten-free diet works are complicated. People who experience celiac disease can’t tolerate a protein called gluten, and once the immune system perceives this substance, it will respond by damaging the small intestine. There are tiny protrusions called villi on the lining of the small intestine which are the channels through which nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. And if the intestine is attacked, so are those villi. Without villi, people will lose the ability to absorb nutrients, and will become malnourished. So celiac disease can be treated with the gluten-fee diet.
Gluten, which can be found in wheat, rye, and barley, has been identified as the main trigger of celiac disease symptoms. A well-balanced gluten-free diet is a must for those suffering from celiac disease(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Celiac-Disease.html). As it is a completely new approach to eating and will last a lifetime, those on the diet need to be extremely careful. It may take several weeks or even months to adapt yourself fully to a gluten-free diet. Consulting a dietician who can help you make food choices can be very helpful. A gluten-free diet usually will minimize symptoms of celiac disease and prevent long-term damage to the small intestine or other complications. Ongoing treatment is crucial. You still need to see a physician yearly for monitoring even if your symptoms are being controlled by a gluten-free diet.
Research has indicated that a gluten-free diet is an effective treatment of celiac(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Celiac-Disease.html). Most patients find their symptoms have been improved after discontinuing consumption of gluten. While in older people, the process may last for two or three years, in children, the result is especially dramatic. Some children may recover within a few weeks. So celiac disease can be controlled completely by removing gluten from the diet.
Gluten Free Food | 14.08.2010 11:31 | No Comments
In the study of autism and some of the possible cures, the subject of gluten free and casein free diets is well debated among parents and medical professionals alike.
What is autism? First we must address what autism actually is. Autism is a problem more and more children suffer from, which causes behaviors such as the inability to socialize or communicate, the inability to read symbols and social cues, and the lack of ability to have proper reactions to certain social situations. It can also cause difficulty with eye contact, repetitive behaviors, and overstimulation in loud or raucous situations. The reason for autism is unsolved and has been being debated for years. Doctors have been unable to pinpoint what exactly causes autism, which makes it difficult to treat.
What are glutens? Glutens have been well publicized over the last several years for affecting autism, and other diseases like Celiac Disease. To go “gluten free” as many doctors and parents recommend, means removing all glutens from your diet. Gluten foods are things like wheat, rye, barley, and many starches, which are in things like soy sauce, other sauces, artificial flavoring and coloring, couscous, and vinegars.
What is Casein? Casein may have similar affects, and is found in milk and all products that include milk. This may cause some parents to reach for soy based products- but be careful- as many soy products include casein too. Things to avoid would be milk, butters and margarines, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
Some children may not be able to digest casein and glutens, which is where the problems begin. It is thought that possibly if these things are not digestible, they remain in the system, and turn into peptides or opiates in the body, which cause different reactions and odd behaviors.
The first thing you can do if your child has autism and you’d like to try gluten or casein free diets are to consult with a physician and a dietician. They will make proper recommendations, which may include removing one food at a time from your child’s diet to try to pinpoint what the problem may be. Many dieticians recommend removing milk from your child’s diet first, because it quickly eliminates itself from the body, and if that is the cause, you may have a prompt diagnosis. There are many websites and books regarding this issue available, which can help you adapt to a diet free of gluten and casein. These websites often offer support groups and allow parents to discuss their recommendations, successes and failures to help you along the way.
Although many doctors say there is no conclusive evidence that having a gluten or casein free diet can help with autism, there are thousands of parents out there who swear by it, saying that their children have seen increased abilities to socialize and communicate. Introducing gluten free and casein free diets could help your child have a more normal life, so it is absolutely worth a try if you are able to commit to the lifestyle changes it can require.
Gluten Free Food | 13.08.2010 4:57 | No Comments
Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited autoimmune disorder with symptoms ranging in severity from abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea, to anemia, joint pain and skin disorders, to name a few. It is estimated that CD affects 1 in 133 people in Canada and these numbers are growing. In fact, this segment of the population is increasing so much that according to a survey sanctioned by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association (CFRA), foodservice professionals agree that gluten-free entrées, that may include rice, are an ‘up-and-coming’ menu trend.
Individuals with CD or gluten sensitivity are restricted to a gluten-free diet (GFD). This means avoiding proteins found in the grains wheat, rye and barley. The alternative, for most, is to resort to purchasing gluten-free products. However, these products are often priced at a premium and, more importantly, can be low in fibre, iron and B vitamins.
A healthy and cost-efficient gluten-free grain alternative for those with CD is rice. Brown or white rice is an excellent source of protein with eight essential amino acids, and contains 15 vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, potassium and iron and, in the case of brown rice, selenium and fibre. Rice is also allergen-free, low in calories and contains no cholesterol, sodium or fat. According to Canada’s Food Guide, a half-cup (125 mL) of brown rice equals one serving of a whole grain. Children require three to six servings of grain products per day, while adults require six to eight.
Shelley Case, RD, a leading international celiac nutrition expert and Canadian Celiac Association professional advisory board member, suggests incorporating rice into your daily diet whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner. Listed below are some of Case’s recommended ways to make this gluten-free grain a staple in your GFD:
• Start the day with cream of brown rice hot cereal; add dried fruit, a spoonful of ground flax and dash of vanilla and cinnamon.
• Cook double batches of rice to have on hand for the next meal. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to six months.
• Add rice to homemade soups or cooked rice to canned soups.
• Extend meatloaf or hamburger patties with cooked rice.
• Mix rice with beans in southwestern-inspired recipes.
• Brown rice flour adds fibre and a nutty flavour in baked goods. Whether using brown or white rice flour, it is best combined with other GF flours to make a better textured product than using a single GF flour.
More healthy and delicious gluten-free inspired recipe ideas can be found online at www.riceinfo.com.
Gluten Free Food | 12.08.2010 22:44 | No Comments
Obtaining gluten free must not be difficult. Celiac disease doesn’t have to cast out an individual forever from enjoying delicious goodies, in particular that most delightful of all type of candy that is chocolate. Don’t give up that creamy, delectable and gratifying gluten free chocolate is being made. Maybe, individuals have desired for an obtainable way to buy this type of chocolate without committing times of day in candy stores searching it down. Nowadays, gluten intolerant people have tremendous range of selections of food tailored to their necessitates on the Internet. With the accumulating curiosity of celiac disease as well as the identification that one percent of the American public are annoyed from this genetic-immune-response disorder, which the Internet marketers consider with. The concern is that a few of chocolates makers who are attempting to fill this necessitate often do not completely understand that case of gluten intolerant and may be producing products that don’t merit the gluten-free label. The products they formulated may be wheat-free, still the companies may not be sensible of the bad effects or habit-forming troubles. Furthermore, the Internet can have the cordial sign of a siren, tempting the viewers to acquire with free-cooking programs, seminars as well as freebies, only do not be delighted with it. If people want to acquire a gluten free chocolate, it’s essential to ascertain a web site that’s trusted and unreliable. I hope that this article will give few particular guidelines on how to buy a gluten free chocolate on the Internet. The top-notch and softest chocolate is formulated more careful to acquire a creamier texture. The healthiest dark chocolate have around seventy percent cocoa, while milk chocolate has more or less 50 percent cocoa. The top-notch white chocolate has only 30 percent cocoa since it’s formulated from cocoa butter. When getting gluten free chocolate, check the amount of cocoa included. Small chocolate producers argue that larger companies use less cocoa in their sweet, and that bulk production resulting a poor quality chocolate. If an individual has celiac disease, he or she most likely is a professional label reader because the health banks on it. Carefully learning the elements on the label will be the outstanding guide to acquire best gluten free chocolate. Whether preferring to buy on the Internet or buy at a specialty store, ensure to double check the label right for data on the included elements. Any dependable site will list their ingredients and nutritious data for the shoppers together with particular specification of the candy. If the info is not involved, do not get the merchandise. And if it’s involved, people can wirte down any questionable substance as well as learn them at a medical website dedicated in aiding people with celiac disease. One hint to search for in buying a gluten free chocolate if the manufacturer uses top-notch chocolates suchlike the Whey Chocolate™ because this merchandise assures superb ingredients.
Gluten Free Food | 11.08.2010 0:46 | No Comments
Living gluten free every day can be a very hard if you have recently found out that you are intolerant of gluten or if you are sensitive to wheat based products. Starting to live the gluten free lifestyle can be a daunting task, but beginners can quickly get starting learning how to keep wheat out of their diet by following the simple steps of living the lifestyle without wheat products. Just like everyone else you are probably beginning to ask yourself what to do and what do I need to do to get started in the right direction. Following a few simple steps can make all the difference in your life.
The first thing that you need to do is look in your pantry and see what you find. You probably found a loaf of bread, right? That bread was most likely made of wheat based flour that contains gluten. Now that bread needs to be replaced with something that your body can tolerate. Bread can be made from a variety of types of flour that do not contain the proteins found in gluten that cause your sensitivity issues. If you love sandwiches like I do, keeping them in your diet is simply a way of life.
So how can you keep sandwiches in your gluten free diet and keep living gluten free every day?
Find a good tasting rice based bread. This is one of the most important things that you can do early in your struggle with gluten sensitivity symptoms. If you have already found good rice based bread, but you are still not very happy with its texture, try toasting it. This makes the texture of the bread much more tolerable.What else can I do to keep living gluten free every day?
Get a rice cooker. Replace the missing starch in your diet is also very important in your struggle with gluten intolerance. Living without wheat can be very difficult if those basic starches in your diet are not replaced. Brown rice can be an excellent replacement for bread.
Learning how to live without gluten may not be easy, but if you learn the basics of protecting yourself, you can still eat the foods that you love. The hardest part of living without gluten is getting started and finding all the information that you possibly can.
Gluten Free Food | 10.08.2010 19:53 | No Comments
Gluten Free Diet And Autism
Gluten-free and Casein-free diet is recommended as an Aspergers Diet. Asperger syndrome, cannot be cured by a change in diet. However, many children diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or autism might find much relief to their symptoms with a diet change.
What constitutes a gluten-free and casein-free diet aspergers diet?
A gluten-free and casein-free diet is the elimination of gluten and casein, common gastrointestinal allergens, from the diet. Try cutting all wheat and milk products for a month and determine whether or not your child is:
1. Responding better to his or her environment;2. Healthier look in the eyes;3. Rashes decrease and4. Less painful bloating and gas.
Eliminating wheat (gluten) and milk (casein) from a asperger’s diet need not be an unpleasant experience, although most parents feel that a total diet change would be more complex, expensive, and stressful than filling a prescription. Therefore, they might see a diet change as a last resort for their aspergers child. Gluten Free Diet And Autism
A word to the wise here, the doctor could very easily miss certain symptoms, by not looking in the right places, and the child, the parents, as well as the physician, are running a risk by not first checking for food allergies and intolerance. The doctor might administer medicine to the child that was manufactured with gluten or casein in it, thereby exacerbating the situation with another source of the allergen. Worse, the doctor could prescribe either hyperactivity or psychotropic drugs which could further disable the child.
Make Rice Flour Blueberry Muffins
1/4 cup butter substitute (melted)1 1/3 cups rice flour blend (see sidebar)1 cup sugar1 egg2 teaspoons GF baking powder3/4 teaspoon cinnamon3/4 teaspoon nutmeg1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon vanilla1 cup rice milk1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries1 teaspoon corn meal/flour (optional)
Wisk ingredients together in a bowl. Prepare a muffin tin with liners and fill each cup 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until done. Makes 12-15 muffins. Gluten Free Diet And Autism
Gluten Free Food | 9.08.2010 15:37 | No Comments
Well Thanksgiving is over and there is another holiday coming up. There is one dilemma. What do you do with the leftover turkey. In the winter months turkey soup is always a favorite recipe. Try the Spicey Turkey. The dilemma is solved
Spicey Turkey Soup
.Serves 8
This soup has the perfect balance between spicy, savory and herbal flavors. Adding the Monterey jack cheese and avocado adds creaminess. Easy soup to prepare and great idea for turkey leftovers.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid 4 cups low-sodium, gluten-free chicken broth 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle or cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 3 cups shredded cooked turkey meat (white and dark) 1 small bag white corn chips 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese 2 avocados, sliced 2 limes, cut into wedges
Method
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onions. Cook, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes, until onions are translucent. Stir in tomatoes, broth, oregano, ground chipotle pepper, cumin, black pepper, bay leaf and turkey. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Simmer 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. To serve, break corn chips (about 5 or 6 per serving) into bite-size pieces and place in bowls. Ladle soup over chips. Sprinkle with cilantro and cheese. Garnish with avocado slices and lime wedges.
Nutrition
Per serving (about 13oz/374g-wt.): 430 calories (200 from fat), 22g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 55mg cholesterol, 390mg sodium, 34g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 24g protein
Cranberry Relish
Ingredients
Makes 2 cups
2 cups fresh or defrosted frozen cranberries
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 blood oranges, or navel oranges, peeled, sectioned, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces, juices reserved
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1/2 cup sugar
2 stalks celery, peeled to remove strings, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pecans, toasted, broken in pieces
Directions
Place cranberries in food processor, and pulse to chop coarsely, about five pulses. Transfer to a medium bowl.
Add onion, jalapeno, lime juice, orange sections and juice, ginger, sugar, and celery; mix gently. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. Just before serving, add mint and pecans, and toss to combine.
From Martha Stewart Living, November 1995
You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. Provided by Whole Foods Market
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Gluten Free Food | 8.08.2010 6:55 | No Comments
If you are concerned about your health and want to be able to eat better while still snacking occasionally, or maybe you’re a vegan or you have celiac disease, in any case, you want cookies. Well here are some healthy gluten free cookies recipes that will surely allow you to feel like you’re being good while still tasting deliciousness.
1. Flourless Chocolate Chewies: A great alternative that is healthy and tasty is nuts. They are one of the few foods that are really really good for you, like eat them every day and you will be better off for it. This is because of the healthy fats, the numerous nutrients and vitamins and their ability to remove plaque from arteries. Here’s what you need for these tasty treats:
Confectioner’s Sugar: 2 lbs.
Cocoa Powder: 6 oz.
Egg whites: 12 whites/oz.
Salt: 1 tsp
Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
Walnuts (or other nut): 1 lb chopped coarsely
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place parchment paper on the cookie sheets
Combine all the ingredients working in the nuts last, folding them over
Drop the mixture into tablespoon size bites about 3 inches from each other
Bake them for about 12 minutes or until they’re slightly firm to the touch
When they’re done you should have about two dozen. Enjoy and if you can’t eat them all at once, store them in an airtight container – they’ll be good for about a week.
2. Chocolate and nuts are not for everyone, so here’s another light and delicious gluten free snack: macaroons. Here’s what you will need:
Almond Flour: 4oz
Brown Sugar: 1 oz
Cocoa Powder: 1 ½ Tbsp
Egg whites: 3 large
Confectioner’s Sugar: 2 oz
Red food coloring 1 drop
Preheat the oven to 450 and place parchment paper on the cookie sheets
Combine the almond flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder
In a different bowl, whip those egg whites until soft peaks form
Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar to the first mix with a drop of red food coloring to bring out the chocolatey color of the cocoa powder.
Continue whipping the egg whites until the peaks harden
Fold in the first mixture
Fill a piping bag with a ½ inch tip and squeeze out 1 inch tips onto the cookie sheet
Bake for 1 minute and remove to double pan
Turn down the oven to 375 and put them back in for about 8- 10 minutes or until they’re dry
Remove the cookies and pour ¼ cup of water onto the cookie sheet under the parchment paper
Let the water rest for a few minutes and then pour it off
Remove with spatula
If you want to add a hint of chocolate, you can make spread a ganache by following these steps:
Simmer 6 oz of heavy cream
Pour it over 4 oz of semi sweet chocolate and mix
Spread over the cookies
These two gluten free cookies recipes will be sure to amaze even those friends and family members who don’t watch what they eat. Try them both! I bet you didn’t know gluten free cookies could be so good.
Gluten Free Food | 7.08.2010 8:40 | No Comments
Wheat flour cannot be used when cooking gluten free and wheat free recipes. There are now a wide range of alternative flours for those that require a gluten free diet. Specialty stores and local commercial market now recognize the demand for gluten free products. Many whole food markets have gluten free, dairy free and preservative produce sections.
Wheat Flour Cooking Alternatives
Amaranth Flour
Made from the seed of the Amaranth plant. The Amaranth plant is a green leafy vegetable. The seeds are rich in protein. Amaranth flour is a wheat flour alternative used in baking. Alternative names: African spinach, Chinese spinach, Indian spinach and elephant ear.
Wheat Free and Gluten Free Flour
Arrowroot Flour
The root of the arrowroot plant is ground into flour. Arrowroot flour is a bland and fine powder that becomes clear when cooked. Great thickening for clear sauces
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Brown Rice Flour
Brown rice flour is heavier than white rice flour. Ground from unpolished brown rice has high nutritional value. Has a grainy texture. There is a heavier texture with brown rice flour as versus to white rice flour.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Buckwheat Flour
Buckwheat is a herbal plant. Buckwheat is not a cereal or grass. It is a pseudocereal meaning it is not related to wheat. Buckwheat’s outer husk is removed and the plant is dried. The plant is ground into flour. Buckwheat can be cross-contaminated if processed in wheat facilities. Those people that are gluten intolerant make sure to read the labels that the produce is “gluten free”.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Chick Pea Flour
The chick pea is ground into flour. Has a nutty taste. Usually combined with another wheat flour alternative.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Corn Flour
Corn Flour is ground corn. The grain is a fine, white powder used as recipe thickener.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Cornmeal
Ground from corn and heavier than corn flour. Used to make cornbread.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Maize Flour
Maize flour is heavier than corn flour. Maize flour is ground from corn.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Millet Flour
Millet is from the grass family. Cereals used in African and Asian countries. Can be used to thicken soups and only in certain types of baking.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Potato Flour
Potato flour is not the same as potato starch flour. Potato flour is a heavy flour with a strong potato flavor.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Potato Starch Flour
Potato starch flour is a fine white flour. Potato flour and potato starch flour are both made from potatoes.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free
Quinoa Flour
Has been used for hundred of years as a cereal. The Incas called it, “the mother seed”. Related to the plant family of spinach and beets. The seeds of the quinoa plant are ground into flour. Quinoa flour is a good source of vegetable protein.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Sorghum Flour
Staple used in Africa and India. Used in soups and unleavened breads. The flour is ground from sorghum grains.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Soya Flour
A successful alternative flour when combined with another wheat alternative flours. Can be used as a thickener and taste enhancer.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Tapioca Flour
Made from the root of the cassava plant. Ground is a light and fine white flour. Adds a chewy texture and thickening agents.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Teff Flour
From the grass family and used as cereal grain in Northern Africa. Used to make sour flat bread. Teff flour is highly nutritious.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
White Rice Flour
Ground from white rice. Does not have nutritional value compared to brown rice flour. White rice flour gives a light texture. Can be used in a variety of recipes.
Wheat Free & Gluten Free Flour
Note: Be sure to read the labels that the product is “gluten free”. Some of these grains can be cross-contaminated if processed in facilities that also process wheat.
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Gluten Free Food | 6.08.2010 6:51 | No Comments
It’s true. Adopting a gluten-free diet may actually help to improve male fertility for those with celiac disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that may be caused by problems digesting gluten. Among the many possible symptoms of celiac disease is male infertility.
Male infertility may be related to a number of factors from poor diet, smoking, drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, as well as a number of health problems. It is important to determine what may be causing infertility before treatment, although certain lifestyle changes that are often used to improve fertility (quitting smoking, exercising, eating healthy, etc.) are usually recommended to improve general health and well-being.
Gluten is a protein that is found in many common foods including bread, crackers, pasta and other foods that contain wheat, rye and barley. In addition to infertility, celiac disease may also increase the risk of lymphoma and may lead to more serious health conditions such as osteoporosis and anemia. When present in children, celiac disease may slow growth and may cause serious health problems.
Recognizing the possible symptoms of celiac disease may be helpful in determining if you have the condition. Gas, bloating, changes in bowel movements, weight loss and feelings of tiredness or weakness may be possible symptoms. In diagnosing the condition, the doctor may perform a physical exam, take blood samples or perform other tests such as an endoscopy.
Before adopting a gluten-free diet to improve male fertility, speak with a fertility specialist and/or a family doctor. Gluten may be found in a number of foods and medicines. Foods that list modified food starch or hydrolyzed vegetable protein may contain gluten so reading food labels and doing research may be helpful when transitioning to a gluten-free diet.