Ready for a Gluten Free Diet Plan
A gluten free diet plan is the only known effective treatment for Celiac Disease (sometimes spelled Coeliac Disease or called Sprue), popularly known as Gluten intolerance or Gluten sensitivity. This serious life long condition is due to damages in the intestinal lining because of sensitivity reactions brought about by ingesting Gluten rich foods like barley, rye, wheat, and malt.
The exact cause of Celiac Disease is unknown. Signs and symptoms may vary from person to person. The signs that are most common to all are gluten sensitivity and steatorrhea, a term used to describe watery, pale, fatty foul-smelling stool.
The other symptoms that a person has, may not be present in others who are affected with this condition. Common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, decrease appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
The linings of the intestines are surrounded by villi, which are hair-like substances that are responsible in absorbing the nutrients that are utilized by the body. When people with Celiac Disease eat foods or use products that contain Gluten, their immune system responds by damaging these villi.
The damage brought about by gluten can prevent a person with Celiac Disease from absorbing the right amount of nutrients that are important in keeping the body healthy. A person with gluten sensitivity becomes malnourished no matter how much food he eats because he is unable to have all the needed nutrients. That is the reason why it is imperative that those affected by a gluten intolerance engage in a gluten free diet plan.
Why a Gluten Free Diet Plan?
A gluten free diet plan is the best solution in handling this type of condition. Celiac Disease has no cure. But symptoms can be relieved if you will apply a life long gluten free diet. Eliminating wheat, barley, rye, oats, and malt from your diet is a very essential goal. Never ingest foods, beverages, medications, and products that contain these particular grains. (Note that oats may be OK if they’ve been properly handled, but due to cross contamination should probably be avoided.)
Wheat, barley and oats are common in an average American diet that is why it is important for you to read food, beverage and medication labels carefully to ensure that there are no unseen sources of grains and ingredients associated with them. The usual hidden forms of gluten include modified food starch, extenders, textured vegetable protein, binders, as well as hydrolyzed plant and vegetable protein. You should be careful not to ingest these products. You can also read sources like books, blogs, and articles to expand your knowledge on other foods to avoid.
Applying a gluten free diet plan doesn’t mean that you will deprive yourself from eating delectable dishes. A common misconception that most people have is that the application of this kind of diet will only make a person eat foods that are bland, which will take the satisfaction and joy away from eating. This is definitely not true. There are still a number of ways to modify your diet while enjoying your meal such as trying different varieties food or adding up spices and other flavorings. You can also search for a wide selection of gluten free recipes from cookbooks and online websites. You can find the finest recipes that you will definitely love!
Starting Your Gluten Free Diet Plan
A gluten free diet plan is not complicated to begin. There are simple steps for you to follow. You can start by just focusing on the foods and beverages in the following list:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits for the best source of vitamins and minerals.
- For your carbohydrates, you can eat rice, corn, and potatoes.
- You can also enjoy protein sources like eggs, nuts, beans, meat and fish products that have not been breaded, processed or marinated.
- You can drink beverages like fruit juices, unflavored milk or tea, coffee beans.
See, there are still a lot of good food choices for you.
A common misconception that is linked with a gluten free diet plan is that you are not allowed to eat pasta and bread products. Pasta lovers, don’t fret! There are a lot of manufacturers nowadays that offer pasta products that are 100% gluten free. You can easily buy these items at your local grocery. You can even choose from an array of brands that are readily available.
With a little patience and a lot of practice, you will not have trouble in adapting to a gluten free diet plan. You will be shocked to see that a gluten elimination diet regime is easy to apply in your lifestyle.
