Gluten - What is it?

So Last Friday I made a very bad food choice...in my defense we were at a local "favorite" pizza joint with some business associates and pizza is the only thing on the menu! I was hungry so I ate some. That same night I had so much pain. We are talking full blown flare. Saturday wasn't any better and as of today I am still having pain off and on. So I thought I would share the following about the evil gluten.

Being on a gluten free diet people often ask, “What is gluten?” Gluten is the "glue/sticky" protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Gluten is also found in relatives of wheat, including spelt, farro, kamut, triticale and einkorn.

This is why I and others on a gluten free diet avoid foods like bread, pasta, and more. Gluten can also be found in foods like soy sauce and lunchmeat, soups and sauces.

Why Go Gluten Free?

I have gone gluten free because I have Crohns disease and have an intolerance to gluten. Symptoms of a gluten intolerance include:

Pain or discomfort in the digestive tract
Chronic constipation or diarrhea,
Failure to absorb nutrients
Fatigue
Headaches and migraines
Dermatitis herpetiformis

I have experienced all of the above.

It’s estimated that 1 in 7 people has a gluten sensitivity.

Which Grains are Gluten Free?

There are many grains and starches that you can still eat on a gluten free diet, including amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, gluten free oats, millet, montina, lupin, quinoa, sorghum, taro, teff, chia seed, rice, corn, potatoes and tapioca (derived from cassava).

Rice and corn contain a form of gluten, it’s not the same gluten so most people on a gluten free diet should be able to tolerate these grains

Low Gluten Grains (Einkorn)

Some people with a gluten sensitivity can tolerate some of the more heritage breeds of wheat such as einkorn. Einkorn is considered the “original” wheat, and carries only 14 chromosomes whereas modern wheat can carry up to 42 chromosomes.

Einkorn is also high in minerals and nutrients including B vitamins and beta carotene. In addition, einkorn doesn’t carry the D genome, which causes gut inflammation.
Eeinkorn is much more digestible than modern wheat.

The Jovial brand of einkorn is most often recommended. Einkorn is more expensive than modern wheat, but is worth it if you can digest it!

Love, Laugh, and Always know where the nearest bathroom is