Celebrate Gluten-Free Day this week: Understanding Choices, Health, and Hidden Sources
This week we’ve celebrated Gluten-Free Day, a time to raise awareness and understanding about gluten-related dietary preferences and health conditions. People opt for a gluten-free lifestyle for various reasons, ranging from personal choice to medical necessity.
Reasons for Avoiding Gluten:
- **Coeliac Disease:** For individuals with coeliac disease, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This condition necessitates strict avoidance of gluten to prevent severe health complications.
- **Gluten Sensitivity/Intolerance:** Some individuals experience discomfort, bloating, or digestive issues when they consume gluten. Although not diagnosed with coeliac disease, they might still feel better by eliminating gluten from their diet.
- **Personal Choice:** Others choose to go gluten-free as part of a lifestyle choice or to explore potential health benefits, despite not having any diagnosed intolerance or medical condition related to gluten.
The Role of Gluten in Baking and Gluten-Free Challenges:
Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, contributes to the elasticity and structure of baked goods. It provides the “glue” that helps dough rise and maintain its shape, leading to the fluffy texture in bread and other baked items.
**Why are oats not gluten free?**
Oats, while naturally gluten-free, are often cross-contaminated during processing due to shared equipment or facilities with gluten-containing grains. Thus, certified gluten-free oats are crucial for those strictly avoiding gluten.
Surprising Sources of Gluten in Store-Bought Foods:
Many processed foods may contain hidden sources of gluten, making it crucial for those on a gluten-free diet to read labels thoroughly.
Surprising places where wheat flour might lurk include:
- **Sauces and Gravies:** Thickening agents in sauces or gravies may contain wheat flour.
- **Processed Meat Substitutes:** Some veggie sausages or meat substitutes can have wheat-based fillers or binders.
- **Soups and Salad Dressings:** Certain soups and salad dressings might contain gluten as a thickening agent or flavour enhancer.
- **Chocolate:** Some chocolate can contains barley malt, dextrose or glucose syrups containing wheat. Most confectionary companies make different variants of the same chocolate, one of which could contain wheat, so it is difficult for the manufacturer to guarantee that there has not been some cross contamination in the manufacturing process. Hence there maybe a ‘may contain’ allergen warning on the label. It’s very important to check ingredients labels carefully before buying.
The Coeliac UK charity offers support and research into helping those choosing or needing to be on a gluten free diet. They have a comprehensive website with tips and recipes.
Gluten free day highlights the diverse reasons behind choosing a gluten-free lifestyle and the challenges individuals face in navigating their dietary needs. Whether due to health concerns or personal choices, understanding and supporting those on a gluten-free diet can help foster inclusivity and better awareness about diverse dietary preferences.
How can we help?
Indulge in guilt-free delights at Frog Hollow! Discover the joy of our scrumptious superfood cakes and sweet snacks, crafted with love and free from gluten. Don’t miss out on your favourite foods—visit our shop today and treat yourself to happiness in every bite. Your gut will thank you for it! Click the link below to start shopping.