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The Gluten-Free Diet: What You Need to Know

You can’t turn on the television, read a paper, or surf online these days without seeing the terms “gluten” and “gluten-free”.

But what exactly is gluten and why are so many people avoiding it? Gluten is the collective term for the proteins found in the grains wheat, rye and barley and their various forms. It is best known for giving baked goods their doughy, elastic structure, however many foods contain gluten for other purposes, including as a thickening agent or flavor enhancer.

Gluten Chart

 

What about oats? 

While oats are inherently gluten-free, they often come in contact with gluten during harvesting, shipping and manufacturing. People with celiac disease should avoid regular oats and any foods containing them. Some people with celiac disease can tolerate moderate amounts of pure, uncontaminated or certified gluten-free oats, however others are highly sensitive and cannot. It is recommended that people with celiac disease should introduce certified gluten-free oats into their diet only under the supervision of their physician and/or registered dietitian (RD).

Is corn gluten safe?

The protein in corn is often erroneously referred to as corn gluten. the protein in corn is not harmful to people with celiac disease and does not have to be restricted in a gluten-free diet.

Who is eating gluten-free and why?

The effects of gluten are not the same for everyone. While the vast majority of Americans consume gluten and experience no side effects, some must avoid gluten due to specific medical conditions.

Gluten-related disorders

  • Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system creates antibodies to gluten and the intestines become damaged when gluten is eaten. over time, the intestines become so dam- aged that they cannot absorb nutrients, leading to diseases of malnutrition and other long-term health issues. a life-long strict gluten-free diet is medically necessary.
  • Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is the diagnosis given to people who experience symptoms when eating gluten, but have tested negative for celiac disease and/or wheat allergy. While the symptoms overlap with celiac disease, the body does not create antibodies to gluten nor are the intestines damaged. A gluten-free diet is medically necessary to reduce symptoms and optimize health. However, it’s unknown if there are long-term health risks to ingesting small amount of gluten, so each individual chooses how strictly they follow a gluten-free diet.
  • Wheat allergy—Some with severe allergic reactions to wheat choose to strictly avoid all gluten in order to reduce their risk of ingesting wheat through cross contact.

Other conditions

Some people with autism and certain autoimmune disorders—such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease—may experience reduced symptoms on a gluten- free diet. However, the medical literature does not support the gluten-free diet as an effective treatment for all people with these conditions. As a result, the gluten-free diet is not considered medically necessary for these conditions. RDs and physicians should work with each patient individually to determine if a gluten-free diet is beneficial.

Lifestyle

Many celebrities, professional athletes and even book authors say that going gluten-free is a healthier way to live or is an effective weight-loss diet. There is no evidence to show that removing gluten from the diet, in and of itself, leads to weight loss. Nor is there a health benefit to eating gluten-free if you don’t have CD, NCGS, or another condition in which symptoms are improved when removing gluten from the diet.

Be Healthy and Gluten-free

Just because a food is gluten-free does not automatically mean it is healthful or helps with weight loss.

While the influx of gluten- free packaged foods on the market has made it easier and more enjoyable to stick to a gluten-free diet, some products (not all) are high in starches, refined grains, fats and sugars and low in nutrients, particularly iron, B vitamins and fiber. Those on a gluten-free diet can best meet their nutrient needs by eating mostly whole foods, saving treats for special occasions and convenience foods for when they are truly needed.

The good news is that the gluten-free market is still in its infancy and food companies are working to make gluten-free products more nutritious through whole food ingredients and fortification.

“Gluten-free” on Food Labels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule defining “gluten-free” for food labeling, meaning that any food product making a gluten-free claim on its package must adhere to the defined standard. Any food product with a label making the claim “gluten-free,” “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” or “without gluten” must contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten, the limit considered safe for most people with CD.

For more information on the ruling, please visit the FDA web site.

All manufacturers must be in compliance with the labeling ruling by August 5, 2014.

Hidden Sources of Gluten

Gluten is often found in unexpected places. Be sure to read food labels each and every time while shopping, as food manufacturers can change their formulations without warning. While not a complete list, here are examples of common foods that may contain gluten:

  • Deli meats
  • Gravies, sauces and marinades
  • Seasoning blends
  • Egg substitutes
  • Imitation seafood and bacon bits
  • Soups, stocks, broths and bouillon
  • Flavored snacks, chips and nuts
  • Licorice and confections
  • Soy sauce
  • Flavored grain dishes
  • Meat substitutes
  • Miso and tempeh
  • Flavored hot chocolate, coffee and tea mixes
  • Salad dressings
  • Veggie burgers and other vegetable protein products

International Food Information Council Foundation
www.foodinsight.org

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Resources:
1.  Case, S. (2010, December). Gluten-free diet: A comprehensive resource guide (revised and expanded ed.). case nutrition consulting Inc.
2. Food allergy research & education. (2013). retrieved from www.foodallergy.org
3. National foundation for celiac awareness. (2013, October 4). retrieved from www.celiaccentral.org
4. National foundation for celiac awareness Great Kitchens training manual
5. U.S. food and drug administration. (2013, august 2). Gluten- free labeling of foods. retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/ food/Guidanceregulation/Guidancedocumentsregulatory- Information/allergen/ucm362510.htm
6. USDA food Safety Inspection Service. (2013, august 5). about fSIS. retrieved from http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/ portal/informational/aboutfsis
7.  Whole Grains council. (2013). Gluten free whole grains. retrieved from http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole- grains-101/gluten-free-whole-grains
8. “Food labeling; Gluten-free labeling of foods.” Federal Register 78 (5 august 2013): 47154. Print.

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