Explained: The Gluten Free Diet

What is Gluten Free?

Coeliac Disease? Gluten Intolerance? The Gluten Free Diet? If you're not sure what any of this actually means - look no further.

We have put together an easy and simple explained article to give you all the ins and outs of the Gluten Free Diet.

Definition

The Gluten Free Diet is a diet plan that completely excludes gluten. The purpose of a gluten free diet is to manage signs and symptoms of Coeliac Disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten.

Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in wheat, as well as barley, rye and oats.

Why would Someone Need to Follow a Gluten Free Diet?

The Gluten Free Diet is designed to help those who are intolerant to gluten and to relieve symptoms of Coeliac Disease and medical conditions often associated with gluten. Keeping a strict gluten free diet is a lifelong necessity for people with Coeliac Disease.

Reasons why people may follow of Gluten Free Diet:

• Celiac disease

• Gluten sensitivity

• Gluten ataxia

• Wheat allergy

 A gluten free diet is also popular amongst people who haven't been diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition. The diet has been known to improve health, increase energy and in some cases aid weight loss.

Food

If you're following a gluten free diet, you will need to take extra caution when selecting foods.

Tips when following a Gluten Free Diet:

• Do your research on what to eat and what not to eat to ensure you're selecting the correct foods
• Make a shopping list of Gluten Free products prior to your visit to the shops
• Visit the Gluten Free aisles in your local supermarket for gluten free substitutes and products
• Read food labels. Practice reading food labels so you can easily identify gluten-free foods.
• Follow Gluten Free bloggers and creators for recipe inspiration and other gluten free related content

What To Eat

Many foods are naturally gluten free, such as:

• Meat
• Fish
• Fruit and Vegetables
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Dairy and Eggs
• Beans, Seeds and Nuts in their natural form
• Gluten Free Flours such as Rice, Corn, Soy and Potato Flour

Some processed foods can also be gluten free, however it is important to check the nutritionals for traces of gluten

The Skinny Food Co have a wide variety of Gluten Free products, including gluten free pasta and gluten free bread.

What Not To Eat

 Avoid all gluten-containing foods such as:

• Breads
• Cakes
• Pasta
• Cereals
• Biscuits and Crackers
• Pies
• Gravies and Sauces

Cross contamination can happen if gluten free foods and other foods are prepared together or served with the same utensils - it is always important to check the labels on the foods you buy.

Drink

What To Drink

There are plenty of drinks and alcoholic drinks that don't contain gluten, such as:

• Fruit Juice
• Flavoured Water
• Fizzy Drinks
• Cider
• Wine
• Spirits
• Port
• Liqueurs
• Fix

Some brands also make gluten free beers alternatives.

What Not To Drink

 Drinks that you should avoid on a gluten free diet are:

• Barley Squashes
• Beer and Lager
• Stout
• Ales

Other Gluten Free Blogs and Recipes

The Skinny Food Co have multiple blogs based on the Gluten Free Diet, including The Gluten Free Diet Explained, Tips to Gluten Free Baking and other Gluten Free related article which you can find via our Health and Wellbeing Blog page.

We also have lots of Gluten Free Recipes incorporating products from our Gluten Free Range which you can find via our Recipes page.

Shop our Gluten Free Range today!