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 Curious Cookie would like to offer important information for people on gluten-free diets due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance, dermatitis herpetiformis, wheat allergy, or other health specific reasons. Curious Cookie has delicious desserts and food choices for people with wheat allergies, celiac disease or anyone participating in a gluten free diet. Celiac Disease Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 133 Americans. Because of the broad range of symptoms celiac disease presents, it can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of celiac disease can range from mild weakness, bone pain, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal bloating and malnutrition to isolated nutrient deficiencies and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is now considered likely that celiac disease involves an abnormal immunologic response, rather than an enzyme deficiency as was suggested in the past. A person diagnosed with celiac disease who continues to eat gluten and wheat based products will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer from about 40 to 100 times faster than the normal population. Also, gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma develop in approximately 15% of people who are untreated for celiac disease. Research has estimated that there are approximately 2.18 million people in the United States diagnosed with celiac disease. Doctors routine testing is fairly simple and involves screening the patient's blood for antigliadin (AGA) and endomysium antibodies (EmA), and/or doing a biopsy on the areas of the intestines. The only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is adherence to a gluten-free diet for life. A gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications caused by the disease. A gluten-free diet means avoiding all products that contain wheat, rye and barley, or any of their derivatives. This is a difficult task as there are many hidden sources of gluten found in the ingredients of many processed foods. The Gluten-Free Diet A gluten-free diet is essential for people who have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis (a gluten induced skin sensitivity). Some people may choose to follow a gluten-free diet for other reasons, although these two diseases are the only ones where a gluten-free diet is considered medically imperative. Gluten is a mixture of proteins, particularly wheat. It is the gliadin component of gluten which is responsible for celiac disease. A gluten-free diet is not the same as a wheat-free diet, and some gluten-free foods are not wheat free. A gluten-free diet involves the complete avoidance of all foods made from or containing wheat, rye, barley and usually, oats. Some doctors say oats may be permitted, although others advise against the inclusion of oats in a gluten-free diet because of possible cross contamination. Nutritional Advice Celiac disease leads to severe damage of the gut surface, which can be completely reversed by following a gluten-free diet. Shortly after the diagnosis of celiac disease, you need to be extra careful to ensure you have a nutritionally adequate diet, as you may have been suffering from malabsorption of nutrients. Protein: Some gluten-free flours are low in protein, because they have had the gluten removed, which is itself a protein. Specially manufactured, prescribed gluten-free flours usually have milk protein added. Vegetarians can get protein from nuts & seeds, pulses, the non-gluten containing cereals, Soya products, milk, cheese and free range eggs. Make sure some protein is included in each meal, and practice protein complementation with the vegetable proteins, for example, combine a nut or pulse dish with a suitable cereal. Protein is especially important to a growing child, it is essential to seek the advice of your dietitian if you are bringing up a child on a gluten-free vegetarian or vegan diet. Anemia: After a person is found to have celiac disease, may begin to suffer from anemia. This is usually from an iron deficiency, although it could be caused from folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency. To ensure a good intake of iron include pulses, lentils, nuts and green vegetables daily in your diet. Avoid drinking tea with meals and instead have fruit juice, which helps the absorption of iron because it contains vitamin C. You could also try a natural iron supplement or vitamin found in most health food specialty stores. How Is Gluten Made? Gluten is derived from the following grains.
Cross Contamination is when two grains are grown in the same field using a rotation method. The following grains do not contain gluten, but are on the avoid list for most celiacs.
Gluten Free Foods: You can find gluten free pasta, cereal, bread, waffles, pancakes, and right here glute free gourmet cookies. Here are some easy things to cook & eat.
Some Things to Watch For: Modified Food Starch & Natural
flavoring - can be derived from wheat, corn, soy, etc. |
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