Gluten Awareness

Do you feel tired easily?
Do you suffer from bloating, stomach cramps and joint pains. These are just a few of the symptoms associated with gluten intolerance. The difference between intolerance and allergy is gluten intolerance symptoms may not necessary appear immediately after consuming food that contain gluten.
A person with gluten intolerance could develop a inflammatory condition called Coeliac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by a reaction to gliadin, one of the main proteins in gluten. Exposure to gliadin damages the lining of the small intestine (villi). These intestinal villi play a significant role in digestion and absorption of nutrients. The damaged and inflamed intestinal villi interfere with the absorption of water and nutrients such as vitamins, folic acid, iron and calcium.
As gluten intolerance could be a lifelong condition (in relation to coeliac disease), the most effective way of treatment is to start eliminating the foods that make you unwell. Avoiding the following food which contain gluten will help relieve the symptoms of gluten intolerance:

Food which contain wheat, rye, barley and oats such as cakes, bread, flour, biscuits, sausages, gravy and foods cooked in batter.

Beers and lagers are also culprits as they too contain gluten.

Flour; opt for the GF flour (Gluten Free)

Look out for food products that may contain hidden gluten.

Malt or Malt Flavouring that is not derived from corn.

Modified starch or modified food starch made from wheat.

Look out for words on food labels i.e. stabilisers, starch, flavouring, emulsifier, hydrolysed, plant protein as it could mean that an ingredient containing gluten has been used.