Gluten free diet 

People suffering from gluten intolerance are sensitive to the gluten, a protein found commonly in wheat, barley, rye and oats. One of the best ways to relieve the discomfort of gluten intolerance is to eliminate food product that contain gluten from our diet.  

Gluten free diet is not only recommended for people who have gluten sensitivity, it is also used as a form of treatment of celiac disease.

Grains that contains gluten are used in the preparation of many foods. It is often hard to tell by an ingredient's name what may be in it, so it is easy to eat gluten without even knowing it. However, staying on a strict gluten-free diet can dramatically improve the gluten intolerance condition. It is a diet that is completely free of ingredients derived from food that contain gluten. Grains that contain gluten includes certain type of cereal, wheat including kamut and spelt,semolina, barley and rye. Gluten free diet may not exclude oats though it's not proven if oats could contribute to symptoms of gluten intolerance. However, It is known that there is a possibility of oats being contaminated with wheat in production. Hence if you should feel unwell after eating oats; it would be advisable to discontinue.

One of the main culprit for gluten is wheat, a staple food product consumed by the masses. Foods made from wheat includes bread, pastas, pastry, cakes and biscuits. Wheat is also used as a thickener in many food products such as gravy, custard, sauces and soups. Alcoholic beverages like beers and most form of whiskey are made from wheat or malted barley and will contain gluten.

Going on a gluten free diet means avoiding foods or food ingredients made from the following:

• Wheat 
• Barley 
• Rye 
• Farina 
• Graham flour 
• Semolina 
• Durham 
• Bulgur 
• Kamut 
• Kasha 
• Spelt flour 

There are gluten free grains such as Amaranth, Buckwheat and Quinoa but they can sometimes be contaminated by grains that contained gluten when in production. It is important to verify if there is a possiblity of contamination in the production of gluten free grains. One way of verification is to read the food label or buy gluten free food made solely by gluten free food specialist.

Following a gluten free diet doesn't mean that you can no longer enjoy bread or pasta. Nowadays there is an increasing number of gluten free bread and gluten free pasta made from corn, rice flour and potato flour. You can even buy gluten free biscuits, gluten free cakes, gluten free gravy and other gluten free food from health shop, specialty shop and major supermarket. Combined gluten free substitutes with foods that do not contain gluten will ensure that your diet is nutritionally adequate.

There are many basic and nutritious foods that are allowed in a gluten free diet. These are:

• Fresh meats, fish and poultry (must not be breaded, batter-coated or marinated) 
• Most dairy products 
• Fruits 
• Vegetables 
• Rice 
• Potatoes 
• Gluten free flours such as rice, soy, corn and potato.
• Wine and distilled liquors, ciders and spirits 

There are Gluten Free Guide available that will show you how to manage gluten intolerance and how to cook delicious gluten free dishes. I have tried making gluten free bread using the recipes in these gluten free cook book and the results was as good as normal wheat bread. There are many foods that do not contain gluten. Make it your personal adventure to make gluten free dishes and perhaps one day you could be sharing your own gluten free recipes to people with gluten intolerance.