How to Overcome a Gluten Allergy

Gluten, a protein that is found in rye, barley, and wheat, can be the cause of some very uncomfortable symptoms, some of which can even threaten your long term health. Though it is still under-diagnosed here in the U.S., more and more Americans are becoming aware of gluten allergies, intolerances, and Celiac's Disease (which also affects the immune system.) The Gluten Intolerance Group in Utah estimates that 60,000 Americans have been diagnosed with Celiac's Disease, and two million people suffer from severe issues with gluten. As more people are diagnosed, it is becoming easier to learn how to change your lifestyle to cope with the allergy.

Instructions

Identify Your Symptoms

1

Make a list of the foods that you consume each day and any reactions that you have after your meals. For example, do you begin to feel bloated after you have pasta for dinner? Pay attention to what your body is telling you.

2

Compare your symptoms with those commonly caused by gluten. Gluten allergies can develop at any time in life, and can also become apparent after a stressful period, such as an injury or pregnancy. Regardless of age, common red flags are stomach cramps, diarrhea, presence of more fat in stools, bloating, and constipation.

3

Contact your doctor to discuss your concerns. As other medical issues can arise from the gluten intolerance, additional tests may be necessary. Your doctor will want to know if you have developed anemia or other vitamin deficiencies, because poor absorption of iron and other vitamins is a classic sign of gluten allergies.

Changing Your Lifestyle

4

Consult to dietitian to begin to change your diet and lifestyle. To allow your system to recover from the effects of the gluten, you will have to change your eating habits, which can be easier said than done. A dietitian can help you to tailor a gluten-free diet to your daily habits.

Gluten is present in some surprising foods, such as: salad dressings, beer, egg substitutes, some chocolates, licorice, cold cuts, some herbals teas, flavored potato chips, and instant rice mixes.

Structure your diet around foods that are naturally good for you and free of gluten: meats, fish, poultry, potatoes, beans, cornmeal, millets, and many dairy products.

5

Read labels on all of the foods that you purchase at your grocery store. Make sure that none of the products contain gluten. Many products now list gluten on their allergy label, which should help simplify your shopping trip. Stores now stock their shelves with gluten-free cookies, cereals, and breads to help accommodate your new diet.

6

Experiment with cooking with substitutes to add some normalcy to your diet. Instead of baking with all-purpose flour, instead use rice or potato flour. Also, look for products with a cornmeal base, as this will not bother a gluten-sensitive system.