What is a gluten-free diet?

The gluten-free diet prohibits all foods containing wheat, rye, barley and usually,
oats. Many foods are allowed in a gluten-free diet, which may make it easier to incorporate into
your lifestyle than some other regimented diets. Still, there are many foods that are not allowed. Just a few of the forbidden foods include regular noodles, spaghetti or macaroni,
creamed vegetables, fried vegetables, any breads, muffins, rolls, doughnuts or cereals that
contain wheat, rye, oat or barley flour. Beer, most canned soup, cakes, cookies and ice
cream made with oat gum are also forbidden.

A gluten-free diet is one that excludes gluten.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye.  A gluten-free diet is usually recommended for an individual with celiac disease and or if you have a gluten intolerance.  Use nutrition-facts labels to identify if a product is gluten-free prior to consuming it if you are on a gluten-free diet.  Consider seeing a Registered Dietitian specializing in food allergies and intolerances to better plan individualized, nutritionally balanced meals when you are on a gluten-free diet.

A gluten free diet is a diet completely free of ingredients containing gluten, a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye and triticale. Gluten constitutes about 80% of the proteins contained in wheat and is responsible for the flexibility of kneaded dough. Those with celiac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH- the skin manifestation of CD characterized by chronic, extremely itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters), who are gluten intolerant, must strictly follow this diet.

Celiac disease is a genetic disorder that affects one in 133 Americans. The disease seems to most affect people of European (especially Northern European) descent, but recent studies show that it may also affect Hispanic, Black and Asian populations. Those affected suffer damage to regions of their intestines if they consume gluten. Oats have traditionally been considered to be toxic to celiacs, but recent scientific studies have shown otherwise. This research is ongoing and it is too early to draw any firm conclusions.

A gluten free diet may also be helpful for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune disorders, although currently there are no high quality human trials available to support this claim.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Gluten is found in many foods of a typical American diet often making a “gluten-free” diet very difficult to adhere to. Gluten is a protein found in all products containing wheat, barley, or rye. Gluten is not in potatoes, rice, soybeans, or corn. The only treatment for Celiac disease, a condition caused by exposure to gluten protein, is complete avoidance of this protein. With the increasing frequency of Celiac disease diagnosis, more gluten-free options are available in grocery stores, and even gluten-free restaurants and bakeries are opening around the US. Many people who do not even have Celiac disease adhere to a gluten-free diet as they feel healthier with more energy avoiding foods containing gluten.