More and more people are trying to go gluten-free, wrongly termed as a white man’s disease, gluten sensitivity is real and can be quite painful for those who suffer from it. So let us start by understanding Gluten.
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ToggleWhat is Gluten?
To simplify it in the easiest way, Gluten is a protein found in some food grains such as wheat and barley. At times it is even added to different food products to increase their level of protein content. Some people are sensitive to this protein, and it is proved as either Celiac disease and or as non-Celiac gluten sensitivity.
At times Gluten sensitivity remains undiagnosed and can be very problematic for the people who have it. Some of the problems are linked to digestion and the gastrointestinal tract. At times, these can even trigger severe issues such as asthma, anxiety, and depression. Gluten allergy may be caused by hereditary factors, however the exact reason behind this allergy is unknown. By cutting out gluten from your diet, the infection can be prevented.
It can be difficult to understand the differences between the variations of Gluten intolerances. Celiac disease is a more severe type of intolerance to Gluten, and being Gluten-sensitive is a mild type of reaction that your body has to Gluten. Even though both are different, they could exhibit the same symptoms. Gluten Intolerance can exhibit common symptoms such as bloating, gas and abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headache, fatigue, rashes on the skin, joint pain, sudden weight gain as well as anxiety, and depression.
Getting Diagnosed
To diagnose celiac disease or wheat allergy, you would need to do a blood test or a skin prick test. Your doctor would assist you through the test and help you understand more about Gluten sensitivity. Seek help from a food allergy expert or gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Delhi for proper guidance.
How to Live with Gluten Allergy
When it comes to cutting out a whole range of protein, it can be tricky to build your diet from what is left out of it. Although it doesn’t have to be like that, even if there is no cure available for Gluten allergy you can cut out all Gluten based foods and substances that would give you relief. The condition becomes quite manageable with a completely gluten-free diet. It will help you live a normal lifestyle and help you avoid all symptoms of Gluten Allergies.
What to eat and what not to eat?
When someone is Gluten-sensitive, it is a no brainer that they should stay as far as possible wheat and wheat-based foodstuff. Apart from wheat, other foods can also trigger your Gluten allergies such as Rye, Semolina, Hing (asafoetida), Barley, Malt, and even Beer.
- What to eat
A question that pops in your mind when someone has a wheat allergy is – what can they eat? Believe it or not, there are many practical solutions available to help with your Gluten allergy. What could you eat for carbs is the question. Rice, Amaranth, Quinoa, Bajra, and Ragi are some of the carbs that will fill in for wheat.
- Read the Label
Not reading the label of packaged food items is one of the most common mistakes Gluten-sensitive people end up with. As earlier explained, other food materials can also have Gluten in them to increase their protein level. To your surprise, even ice creams, syrups, vitamins, and food supplements contain Gluten. Therefore it is very important to look for markings on the package written as ‘Gluten Free’ or ‘GF’. It is best to shop safely than later spoil your digestion by loading your body with Gluten.
- Find alternatives
Alternatives for using Wheat Flour is one widely used substance in Indian cuisine and cutting it out can make you feel a little out of place. But you can use many other available Gluten-free substitutes for wheat flour such as coconut flour, Coconut Flour, Almond Flour, Chia Flour, Chickpea Flour, Quinoa Flour, Oat Flour last but not the least Rice Flour.
- How to eat Takeaway food and at Restaurants
Now that you know what ingredients and foodstuffs are harmful for your gut, you are halfway there to living with a Gluten allergy. However, it is tricky when it comes to eating out in restaurants as you lose absolute control over watching what ingredients go in. However, due to recent awareness about Gluten allergy, many establishments have started offering Gluten-free food and dining options. If you are not sure about ordering food that could spike up your Gluten allergy, you can always ask them to make it as per your preference and help them understand your condition.
It will definitely take some time to completely heal the damage that Gluten may have already done to your body and gut, however, you will quickly begin to feel much relieved and free as soon as you have eliminated gluten from your diet. You must understand that going Gluten-free is not a lifestyle choice but a serious condition that calls for extreme measures. It so happens that people who are genuinely allergic are smaller in number than those who believe they are. People who consume whole-grain foods and rich protein are better shielded against many diseases. Unnecessarily taking up a Gluten-free diet will lead to low levels of vitamins and nutrients that include iron, calcium, fiber, and folate, leaving you weak and tired.