Living gluten free

Posted in Food Allergies, Food Safety, Healthy Eating | 3 comments

Sep 06, 11

By Amanda Hill

Imagine not being able to eat birthday cake at parties or cereal for breakfast. For people allergic to gluten–a condition known as celiac disease– living gluten free is a daily challenge.

One in 133 Americans has celiac disease, according to the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research. Gluten is found in grains like wheat, rye, barley and malt.  That means foods like bread, pasta, pastries—even some soups, candies and meat marinades—can make someone with celiac disease very sick. Just an eighth of a teaspoon of flour in a day can cause digestive complications, fatigue and muscle cramps, and long-term symptoms like anemia and weight loss.