Week 1: Gluten is Sneaky

After multiple allergies tests, more butterfly needles going into my arm than I can count, we finally got the answers to why my face would get swollen, the irrational behavior, and why overall I just was not feeling well... The results were I was allergic to Gluten and Milk, and sensitive to many other everyday foods such as eggs, yeast, and sugar cane sugar... keep in my this is 2004 in Charlotte, NC there was no Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Traders Joes, or gluten free sections in Harris Teeter. Society had not yet picked up on this way of eating. Most people did not know what to do with you or had any idea what this gluten thing was that I spoke of. I could not imagine being my Mom in this situation, she had to learn so much so quickly, do hours of research and go to all the small local health food stores... information for gluten free eating was not as easily accessible as it is today. I asked her how I was when I was first told about having to be gluten-free she said "I was a bit resistant at first but when I started realizing how much better I felt, I was all for it".

I do not miss eating gluten, I think that the world of food is much more intreating without it because you get to explore all these amazing recipes. And by just eliminating gluten, you eliminate a countless amount of processed meals and fast food, which no one should really be eating anyways! 

So what is Gluten?

Gluten is the elastic protein found in wheat, rye, barley, durum, einkorn, graham, semolina, bulgur wheat, spelt, farro, kamut, and triticale. It helps dough rise, keep shape, and gives it a chewy texture. 

It is not always as easy as, oh look there is bread I can't eat it, gluten hides in foods that the average person would not necessarily think of, and it is important to be aware of that! Oh what are some of those foods? Glad you asked...

• Soy Sauce- They do make a Gluten-free one now!
• Twizzlers and most licorices- You can have Swedish Fish! 
• BBQ Sauces 
• Salad Dressings 
• Cornflakes and Rice Krispies- They now both make a gluten-free type.
• Soups
• Ice Cream
• Oats that are not certified gluten-free oats
• Chocolate 
• Malt Vinger
• French Fries
• Seasoned Chips 
• Faux meats 
• Gravy
• Sausages 
• Hamburgers

Also drinks hide gluten:

• Beer- which sucked when I was in High School, because everyone could easily get beer but getting wine or liquor took a bit more planning which was annoying.
• This also means that I do not frequent places like Foothills or any breweries that are also a restaurant, because they like to extend their beers into the kitchen and cook with it. 
• Instant Coffees - Wake up a little early and use a French Press!
• Blended and Herbal Teas
• Flavored liqueur and liquor - Tito's is a popular gluten-free vodka
• Wine Coolers ( Malt) - Just drink Red Wine... List of Wine Deals in Winston Salem, NC 

And believe it or not cosmetic products: 

• Makeup
• Shampoos
• Lotions
• Fillers in Medicines 

                                  Bath & Body Works uses in some of their soaps, lotions, and antibacterial lotions Wheat Germ Oil and/or oats. 

   

***The key to being gluten-free is learning how to read labels and once you get use to doing that you will be golden. ***

What what do you do at a restaurant, when you don't have every label of every ingredients in a restaurant to read? We shall cover gluten-free dinning in the post!