GLUTEN FREE FOOD : what's in and what's out

Basically, by definition, gluten free diet is taking foods without the present of any protein gluten. We all know that gluten can be found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye).

There are those who cannot tolerate gluten in their digestive system, thus having to take foods that are gluten free. Gluten can very damaging to Celiac Disease sufferers. Their only way out is to get into a gluten free diet treatment.

However, before switching into this diet, it's better to consult a dietitian first who will determine what works best for you, so you can have a proper healthy balanced diet.

Below are list of foods that are naturally gluten free:

Beans, seeds, nuts in their natural unprocessed form

Fresh eggs

Fresh meat, fish and poultry (stay way from it if it is breaded, batter-coated or marinated

Fruits and vegetables in their natural conditions (unprocessed)

Most dairy products

Also there are many grains and starches that can be use for a gluten free diet food. These includes:

Amaranth

Arrowroot

Buckwheat

Corn and cornmeal

Flax

Gluten free flour (rice,soy,corn,potato,bean)

Homing (a type of corn)

Millet

Quinoa

Rice

Sorghum

Soy

Tapioca

Teff

Do your best to avoid foods and drinks that contains:

Barley (malt, malt flavoring and malt vinegar are made from barley

Rye

Triticale

Avoid also these foods, they contain gluten from wheat:

Bulgur

Duram

Farina

Graham flour

Kamut

Semolina

Avoid these foods at all cost- unless it is certified gluten free:

Beer

Bread

Cakes and pies

Candies

Cereals

Cookies and crackers

Croutons

French fries

Gravies

Imitation meat or seafood

Matzo

Pastas

Processed luncheon meat

Salad dressing

There are risk though when using gluten free diet. Notably, these diets may have a low levels of certain much needed vitamins and nutrients. As a general guide, gluten free diets should have enough of these key nutrients

Iron

Calcium

Fiber

Thiamin

Riboflavin

Niacin

Folate

Those with Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance should stick to their diet because when you accidentally consume foods containing gluten, then it will usually result in severe abdominal pain or diarrhea. Though some people don't show symptoms or signs after eating gluten food, this doesn't mean that it's not damaging their intestinal villi.

Whether you show symptoms or not, the fact is that every trace amount of gluten in your diet will do some damage to your system. And if prolong, can cause a total disappearance of the intestinal villi, a hair like substance in small intestines that's responsible for the absorption of nutrients into our body.Take a bite..