What You Should Know About Popular Diets - A Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet is recommended for thevegetable proteins and starch, modified food
treatment of celiac disease and wheat allergy.starch (derived from wheat instead of maize),
Such a diet is completely free of ingredientsmalt flavoring, and glucose syrup. Highly allergic
derived from gluten-containing cereals includingpeople may have a problem with the gluten used
wheat, spelt, barley, rye, and triticale, as well asin product preparation for example the powder
gluten food additives whether used as a flavoring,dusted on a conveyor belt to keep food from
stabilizing or thickening agent. This diet may alsosticking during processing. Other sources of cross
exclude oats whose effects on gluten-sensitivecontamination include grains that shared a truck,
people still remain somewhat unknown.bagging facility, or mill with gluten-containing grains.
While gluten is commonly associated with wheat,Many people allergic to gluten find it is best to
not all wheat products contain gluten. Forremove all flour and grain from their diet to
example, highly processed wheat glucose containsensure their protection.
no detectable gluten (i.e. less than 5 parts perHow much gluten is too much? Some experts
million gluten). Grain and starch sources that aresay that the maximum safe level of gluten for
acceptable in a gluten-free diet include maize,celiacs is 0.02% (200 parts per million); others talk
potatoes, rice, tapioca, millet, and sweet potatoes.about 0.002% (20 parts per million). Wheat flour
Bean, soybean, and nut flours are sometimescontains about 12% gluten, in other words,
used in gluten-free products to add protein and120,000 parts per million. A little wheat flour can
dietary fiber.cause a lot of problems. In fact, many products
Gluten is also used in foods in some unexpectedlabeled gluten free have unacceptable levels.
ways, for example as a stabilizing agent orRegularly prepared medications and vitamin
thickener in products such as ice cream andsupplements may use gluten as a binding agent.
ketchup. Other products that perhaps surprisinglyWhen it comes to alcohol it's important to be
may include gluten are both over-the-counter andfamiliar with the specific production process.
prescription medications and vitamins, andBourbon is gluten-free whereas most whiskey is
cosmetics.not. Cider, port, rum, sherry, tequila, vermouth,
Gluten sufferers can't merely check the label forand most importantly wine do not contain gluten.
product ingredients; gluten may be found inLiqueurs may contain gluten. Almost all beers do.