Going Gluten-FreeThe why and how of gluten-free

diets

Today’s Agenda

Part 1: Gluten and Gluten Sensitivities

What is Gluten?

• Gluten is a protein composite in many grains and grain-based foods.

What is a gluten sensitivity?

Symptoms

Additional Symptoms

Spotlight on Celiac

Why Intestinal Damage?

Surprising Celiac Stats

• 30-40% of all people in the U.S. carry the gene for celiac disease.

• Only 1-2% of those people have the gene activated.

Surprising Celiac Stats• Activating the gene for celiac

disease is usually the result of an environmental trigger.– Getting a parasite– Getting sick– Stress– Taking a certain medication– Trauma

How is Celiac Diagnosed?

• First, a blood test.

• Then, a biopsy.

But It’s Tough, Man

But It’s Tough, Man

But It’s Tough, Man

• The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness estimates that 18 million Americans have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

So… what’s the cure?

NO GLUTEN

• If you have celiac disease, the only treatment is to go on a 100% GLUTEN-FREE diet.

Getting “Glutened”

• Diarrhea• Fainting/dizziness• Fever• Itching/rash/hives• Nausea• Stomach pain• Vomiting

Part 2: Gluten Sensitivities and Food

Foods to Avoid

• Barley• Beer• Bread• Cereal• Couscous

• Flour• Panko• Pasta• Rye • Spelt

Foods to Avoid

• Graham flour• Kamut• Malt

• Modified food starch• Soy Sauce• Vegetable protein

Other Things to Avoid

• Certain cosmetics– Particular lipsticks– A variety of

shampoos– Sometimes even

soaps• Certain medications

• Rubber or latex gloves– (often lined with flour

or other grain-derived substances)

• Stamps and envelopes

Gluten-Free Options

• Amaranth• Beans• Buckwheat• Fish• Fruit • Meat• Nuts

• Poultry• Quinoa• Rice• Seeds• Soy• Tofu• Vegetables

Gluten-Free Alternatives

• Tons of products these days are being made completely gluten-free.

• Check out new gluten-free breads, cereals, flours, pastas, and more!

A Note About Oats

• Oats do not contain gluten.• They are often processed on machines

that process foods that do contain gluten.

• Check labels carefully.

Gluten-Free Home

• Avoid cross-contamination– Clean anything that might have touched

gluten, and clean it with soap and hot water.

– Get your own cooking supplies and keep them separate.

Sample Meal Plan

• Breakfast: Fresh fruit with nonfat, plain yogurt and raw sunflower seeds.

• Lunch: Large green salad topped with gluten-free dressing and a grilled chicken breast. Cup of vegetable rice soup on the side.

Sample Meal Plan

• Snack: A medium apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

Dinner: Sonoran Sunset Quinoa Salad

Gluten-Free Dining

• Do your homework.• Have a list of questions ready.• If it is too risky, don’t go.

The Stakes are High

The Stakes are High

Part 3: Resources

Resources• National Foundation for Celiac Awareness:

http://www.celiaccentral.org/ • Gluten Intolerance Group:

http://www.gluten.net/ • Celiac Disease Foundation:

http://www.celiac.org/ • Celiac Sprue Association:

http://www.csaceliacs.info/

Resources

Quick Quiz!

• Gluten is a protein composite found in…* Meat * Dairy* Grains * Vegetables

• True or false: The gene that triggers celiac disease can be activated at any time.

Quick Quiz!

• Gluten is a protein composite found in…* Meat * Dairy* Grains * Vegetables

• True or false: The gene that triggers celiac disease can be activated at any time.

Quick Quiz!

• Symptoms of a gluten sensitivity include…* Depression * Abdominal pain* Hives * All of the above

• True or false: Celiac disease involves damage to the small intestine whenever gluten is consumed.

Quick Quiz!

• Symptoms of a gluten sensitivity include…* Depression * Abdominal pain* Hives * All of the above

• True or false: Celiac disease involves damage to the small intestine whenever gluten is consumed.

Quick Quiz!

• The cure for gluten sensitivities is…* Nonexistent * Pharmaceutical* A supplement * Rare and costly

• True or false: 1-2% of all people in the United States carry the gene for celiac disease.

Quick Quiz!

• The cure for gluten sensitivities is…* Nonexistent * Pharmaceutical* A supplement * Rare and costly

• True or false: 1-2% of all people in the United States carry the gene for celiac disease.

Quick Quiz!

• Which of the following grains contains gluten?* Amaranth * Barley* Quinoa * Rice

• True or false: Beer contains gluten.

Quick Quiz!

• Which of the following grains contains gluten?* Amaranth * Barley* Quinoa * Rice

• True or false: Beer contains gluten.