Following a Gluten Free Diet?
The Gluten-Free diet is often associated with Coeliac disease which is an autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine damaging the Villi. Your Villi is a small hair / finger like projections made up of cells and are responsible for the absorption of nutrients from your food and drink that you consume. Even ingesting a tiny amount of gluten can result in damage to the Villi for Coeliac sufferers.
Other people who may need to follow a gluten-free diet include:
- Those with gluten intolerance that may cause issues such as bloating, diarrhea and pains in the abdomen.
- Gluten Ataxia which is an autoimmune disease that will affect some nerve tissues
- People with Wheat Allergies
What the Gluten-Free Diet Can and Cannot Include
Foods that need to be avoided include everything that contains Barley, Rye, Oats and Wheat. An easy way to remember this is using the word Brown. Barley, Rye, Oats, Wheat = No.
It is very important to ingredient check your packaging which by law if they are claiming Gluten Free should state that Gluten was not detected in tests. Foods to avoid include the above grains which rules out things such as beer that was brewed with the aforementioned grains and any desserts such as cookies or breads that have been made with flour from the same.
Sadly many products whilst naturally Gluten Free are manufactured in facilities that also handle Gluten, it is not a legal requirement in Australia for these brands to mention this however many do. This issue can and often does lead to cross contamination. Often you will find a notification on the packaging that states “May Contain” or “Manufactured in a facility that also handles…”
Lots of other foods do not contain gluten and are fine with this diet. Fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish and poultry, eggs and most dairy products are acceptable.
Those following gluten-free diets must also be careful that the Supplements & Vitamins they take do not contain gluten. Check out Love Your Health’s Gluten Free Specialty store for gluten-free supplements, foods, bath and beauty items and more!