| Individuals with Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten | | | | glutamic acid. Again, they don't always include |
| sensitivity must avoid all forms of gluten in even | | | | gluten, but gluten-containing foods are often part |
| the smallest amount. Because gluten provokes | | | | of the process used to create these flavor |
| their antibodies to attack their own intestinal wall, | | | | enhancers. |
| the consequences of consuming gluten-containing | | | | Those Pills You Pop |
| foods can be severe. | | | | Another place you need to watch are |
| Some might think that sounds simple: Okay, just | | | | supplements and over-the-counter drugs. This |
| don't eat bread and baked goods, right? | | | | startled me when I first learned it and in fact it |
| Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. Gluten can hide in | | | | remains rare, but sometimes gluten is used as a |
| vague ingredient descriptions as well as in | | | | filler or a binder in supplements and OTC drugs. |
| common over-the-counter supplements and drugs. | | | | If you are eliminating gluten from your diet and |
| Common Vague Ingredients | | | | attempting to recover your health, I recommend |
| Some terms to watch include -- but are not | | | | you look over your supplement and drug routine |
| limited to - spices, natural flavors, and artificial | | | | and contact the necessary manufacturers to |
| flavors. These are often groups of ingredients in | | | | make certain gluten isn't involved. |
| such small quantities that manufacturers can get | | | | Being Gluten-Free Is Becoming Easier |
| away without listing the exact name of each | | | | I know trying to be gluten-free isn't easy when |
| ingredient. | | | | you first start down this necessary path. But rest |
| I am not implying that anytime a food item | | | | assured that in recent years I've seen both the |
| contains this on the ingredient list that the food is | | | | health and grocery industry make great strides in |
| not truly gluten-free. But if the product is not | | | | their understanding and labeling of this matter. |
| labeled by the manufacturer or the grocery store | | | | If you live near one of the gourmet, natural or |
| as gluten-free, you should contact the | | | | organic grocery chains (such as Whole Foods, |
| manufacturer directly to verify that these vague | | | | Sprouts, Sunflower Farmers Market or Henry's |
| ingredient descriptor do not harbor gluten. | | | | Farmers Market), they often go to great lengths |
| The MSG Imitators | | | | to provide labels identifying gluten-free foods for |
| Other terms that can involve gluten include | | | | you. I eagerly await for more stores to provide |
| autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins. | | | | this labeling, but at least the industry does seem |
| These are flavor enhancers that basically fulfill the | | | | to be moving in the direction of helping you avoid |
| same role as MSG (monosodium glutamate) | | | | gluten-containing foods. |
| without (arguably) the same dangerous level of | | | | |