Friday, March 6, 2009

Feel Fantastic On A Gluten Free Diet

Avoid grain products on a gluten-free diet.


If you have celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is required to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Gluten is typically found in barley, rye, wheat and other products containing grain. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, celiac disease prevents an individual from consuming gluten products because their body will attack the small intestines, which results in the lack of nutrition absorption. If your body does not receive enough nutrients, you can feel weak and sluggish. In order to feel fantastic and more energetic, a proper gluten-free lifestyle is key.


Instructions


1. Check the labels on your medications, supplements and vitamins for gluten content. Consuming products with gluten ingredients while on a gluten-free diet can make you sick. Author of "Gluten-Free Girl" Shaw Ahern, recommends checking for dextrins on the labels since they can also affect a gluten-free diet.








2. Avoid consumption of gluten-filled foods and drinks while on your diet. Foods and drinks such as pizza, jello, beer or pasta contain enough gluten to make you ill. At the grocery store, be conscious about what you purchase by looking at the nutritional label under "ingredients." If you are eating out at a restaurant, request gluten-free options or ask the waiter about menu choices without gluten.


3. Take vitamins. Because gluten-free diets may cause you to not receive adequate amounts of nutrients, gluten-free vitamins and supplements are needed to replenish your body's nutrient needs. According to Mayo Clinic, you should take vitamins and minerals like iron, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin and calcium because gluten-free diets may not provide enough of these nutrients.

Tags: gluten-free diet, celiac disease, gluten-free diets, your body