| If you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, your | | | | why pregnant women especially should have this |
| doctor probably advised you on the many foods | | | | nutrient during and after pregnancy. Adults should |
| and food ingredients you must avoid. Definite | | | | have at least 400 micrograms of folate daily and |
| no-no products are those made with wheat, rye | | | | for women, at least 600 micrograms during |
| and barley, the popular gluten-bearing grains found | | | | pregnancy. One cup of brown rice flour contains |
| in many breads, cereals, pastas, crackers and | | | | 25 grams of folate versus 5 grams of folate in |
| other baked goods. Gluten also lurks in other less | | | | one cup of white rice flour. |
| obvious places such as luncheon meats, salad | | | | White rice flour |
| dressings, yogurt, malt vinegar, soy sauce, many | | | | As the name implies, white rice flour is made |
| flavorings, and gravy and sauces thickened with | | | | from ground white rice, and contains no bran or |
| flour. People with celiac disease experience a | | | | polish (the part of the layer under the rice bran) |
| severe immune reaction to gluten -- the protein in | | | | thus is lower than in fiber and nutrients than |
| wheat, rye and barley that can inflame the lining | | | | brown rice flour. White rice flour contains less |
| of the small intestine and interfere with the body's | | | | folate than brown rice flour. (By way of note, |
| ability to absorb nutrients and minerals. When you | | | | glutinous rice flour is also known as sweet, sticky, |
| can't get the nutrients your body needs, health | | | | or sushi rice flour. It's made from sticky |
| complications arise. | | | | short-grain rice that is higher in starch than brown |
| Rice products -- dietician-approved for celiac | | | | or white rice. Like its brown and white cousins, |
| sufferers | | | | glutinous rice flour doesn't contain gluten either.) |
| Rice-based flour is one food ingredient you can | | | | What about flour and fiber? |
| eat without fear, since it contains no gluten. | | | | Although our bodies don't break down fiber, it |
| Compared to other gluten-free grain products, | | | | plays an important role, particularly through our |
| enriched rice flour is also a relatively nutrient-rich | | | | digestive system. Fiber helps us maintain regular |
| ingredient you can include in your gluten-free diet. | | | | bowel movements. Consuming adequate amounts |
| But which flour is better for you - one made | | | | of fiber is especially important for people with |
| from brown rice or white rice? Is there a | | | | celiac disease, but especially those newly |
| significant difference in nutritional value? | | | | diagnosed individuals who may have symptoms of |
| Brown rice flour explained | | | | diarrhea caused by gluten damaging the small |
| Made from finely ground whole-grain rice, this | | | | intestine. Comparison-wise, the dietary fiber of |
| slightly tan-coloured flour has a nutty flavor and is | | | | brown rice flour is more than double the amount |
| higher in fiber and nutrients than white rice flour. | | | | found in white rice flour. |
| This is good to know, since people with celiac | | | | In summary: |
| disease often need to supplement their nutrient | | | | While all rice products are good for people who |
| intake, especially with folate, iron and dietary fiber. | | | | are celiac or suffer from gluten-intolerances, |
| What is folate? | | | | foods and snacks made with brown rice flour are |
| Folate (an important water-soluble B vitamin) is | | | | better than white rice flour. |
| especially critical for fetus development, which is | | | | |