What's the beef with Gluten Free? CW Day2

Recently I have been rather curious as to what is Gluten Free living? I keep seeing and hearing about "Gluten Free" this and that...but don't understand why so many people are adapting this way of life? Therefore, for Day 2 of our first cooking week, I thought I would answer the question...

What is "Gluten Free"?

6pm -> Commence research

10:30pm -> 2 conclusions drawn

1. Gluten is the elastic protein in some grains hindering the ability of villi in the small intestine to absorb nutrients.

2. People who live gluten free are doing so because they have Celiac Disease.

Then guess what happened...one question lead to another!

Question 2 ~ What is Celiac Disease?

In A Summary of Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance by Scott Adams, on celiac.com, I found the following facts.

"Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans"

"It can be difficult to diagnose."

"If a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten, studies have shown that he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population."

"The only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet for life"

"An adherence to a gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications caused by the disease"

Then I entered the danger zone...I started thinking, and guess what arrived?!? Questions 3! Being that I love to cook and entertain...

3. What can I feed an individual with Celiac disease?!?

From Celiac in the City to Adventures of a Gluten-free Mom...I found my answer in Karina ~ The Gluten Free Goddess! Now maybe I got distracted by a mermaid here, but come on...it does say GODDESS! (if you do not know the history of mermaids, click here to understand this joke:-) Anyways, my goddess Karina has a convenient list of safe, sneaky, and Gluten avoids in her Gluten-Free Diet ABCs...not to mention a multitude of menu items!

So there you have it friends...the basics of living a Gluten-free life with Celiac Disease.

Eat well to live better and make it a great day!

Suchie

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