What Does Gluten Free Mean?

If you are a health fanatic, you might have heard about Gluten-free diets or foods. Have you ever wondered about the actual meaning of Gluten-free? What does gluten-free mean?

Which foods contain gluten? and many other questions are answered in this blog. Let’s find out the answers!

What do You Mean by Gluten?

What Does Gluten Free Mean

What Does Gluten-Free Mean – What do You Mean by Gluten

Before getting to the main point, we must understand gluten. Gluten is a structural protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, etc.

Gluten is not ideal for people with celiac disease and for that reason, doctors advise them to follow a gluten-free diet only.

The gluten-free diet is not recommended only for those with celiac disease but for those with certain medical conditions due to this type of protein. Gluten-free diets have many benefits that we will discuss in this post.

A gluten-free diet can affect your body’s intake of proteins, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Therefore, you must understand gluten-free diets and their effects on your body.

What Does Gluten-Free Mean?

Gluten in our body is good but in a limited amount. If it is over limits, it starts showing its symptoms.

The Food and Drug Administration Department now labels gluten-free foods so consumers can check the type of food before buying.

Gluten-free foods don’t have barley, wheat, rye, or crossbreeds of these three grains.

Some foods are derived from these grains without removing the gluten from them. Such foods are also avoidable if your physician prescribes a gluten-free diet.

Foods not derived from these grains are gluten-free, such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, etc. Gluten-free foods are labeled gluten-free whenever you buy them at the grocery store or market.

Some other words for a gluten-free diet are free from gluten, no gluten, and without gluten- these are the labels of the gluten-free foods which you can see on the foods that don’t have gluten in them.

If foods are not labeled with gluten-free or any other tagline, you can contact the manufacturer and ask them to show you the data and records of the food.

You can even check the manufacturer’s website to learn about the food, its ingredients, its nutrients, and whether it is gluten-free.

Why Should People Avoid the Consumption of Gluten?

What Does Gluten Free Mean

What Does Gluten-Free Mean – Why should people avoid the consumption of gluten?

There are many reasons why your doctor advised you to go gluten-free and consume foods free from gluten. Here are the details about why people should avoid consuming gluten.

You might be advised to follow a gluten-free diet if your body shows certain symptoms. The reasons listed below will help you treat such conditions easily by simply adopting a gluten-free diet.

Reason 1: Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a life-threatening disease as it directly affects your immune system. Celiac diseases show primary symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, tiredness, etc.

If you are suffering from celiac disease and consume gluten, your body starts showing you the above-listed symptoms. When you stop eating gluten, your gut starts healing itself and you will feel much better.

Celiac diseases can only be treated with this method. There are no medications present on the market that can heal your gut while consuming gluten. You have to go gluten-free to treat celiac disease.

Reason 2: Wheat Allergy

Wheat is the king of grains and we all consume various foods made from wheat. If we talk about the components of wheat, it contains starches, fat, carbs, proteins, etc.

Wheat Allergy and Gluten Allergy are two different things. We eat wheat to provide carbs and other components to our body and not only gluten.

People with wheat allergy experience stomach pain, rashes, etc., upon consuming wheat or other foods made from wheat. Since wheat contains gluten, your doctor will advise you to follow a gluten-free diet.

Reason 3: Gluten Intolerance

Some people are sensitive to gluten. Gluten-intolerant people are also advised not to consume gluten or any other food items that are not labeled gluten-free or without gluten.

Gluten Intolerance people experience the same symptoms as people who are suffering from celiac disease.

However, the risk of damaging the small intestine is rare in this condition. It’s a general health condition that doesn’t damage your intestine.

What Should I Eat? – Gluten-Free Foods

What Does Gluten Free Mean

What Does Gluten-Free Mean – What Should I Eat – Gluten-Free Foods

Gluten-free foods can help you in many ways. It energizes your body and helps your metabolism function normally. It also changes your mood and encourages you to be positive.

If you ask us what should I eat if I have to go gluten-free? Then, we would recommend you eat the foods listed below. The foods listed below are healthy and delicious and are easily available. Explore the list, and pick the one that you like the most!

Carbs

Wheat and other grains that contain gluten are full of carbs. However, you can get natural carbs from many foods listed below.

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Potatoes
  • Fish
  • Raisins
  • Rice
  • Millet
  • Corn
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Beans
  • Dried Dates
  • Quinoa

Protein

Foods full of proteins and are gluten-free are listed below:

  • Poultry
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Egg
  • Low-fat Milk

Fats

Fats can help heal you from excessive gluten intake in the past. If you start consuming the fats listed below, you can recover from celiac disease faster.

  • Olive Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Coconut Milk
  • Avocado
  • Cheese
  • Seeds
  • Nuts
  • Butter
  • Cream
  • Olives
  • Yogurt

Foods to Avoid while Following Guten-free Diet

If you are advised to follow a gluten-free diet only, then avoid the foods listed below.

  • Wheat and other products made from wheat flour, such as baker items, cakes, bread, etc.
  • Rye
  • Barley
  • Granola

The Bottom Line:

A gluten-free diet is good for everyone as it keeps your body healthy. When you limit the intake of gluten in your diet, you will start feeling energetic

. A gluten-free diet improves your metabolism and encourages the small intestine to consume nutrients faster from your food.

Thankfully, you can prepare various recipes from other food items listed above. Each item from all three groups is easily available, so there will be no issues following a gluten-free diet.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should limit the gluten intake in your body and you will see changes in yourself.

See Also

Gluten Free Food List

Gluten Free Cornbread Recipe

Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donuts Recipe

1 Net Carb Bread Recipe