Where can I find gluten free ingredients?

Finding gluten free ingredients is not as hard as it was in the past. As there is greater awareness of coeliac disease you will now find gluten free products and ingredients in all supermarkets. Alongside finding gluten-free produce on supermarket shelves there is also support in the form of gluten free products on prescription in some cases, which is a massive help to those people who have recently been diagnosed coeliac and need to change their diet and lifestyle to remove gluten for the sake of their health.

A gluten free diet is one where you avoid eating all foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye, and barley. There are different reasons why a person mightfollow a gluten free diet, with the main being that they are managing symptoms of coeliac disease and other conditions that are linked to gluten. The following are some of the gluten disorders that may result in the person requiring a gluten free diet.

• Coeliac disease–this is a condition where gluten triggers the immune system, causing damage to the lining of the small intestine and prevents nutrients from absorbing properly over time.
• Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity – some people suffer from signs and symptoms of coeliac disease but do not have it. These symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, headaches, and diarrhoea.
• Allergy to wheat – this is where the immune system mistakes wheat as a disease-causing agent, leading to a severe response from the immune system that can cause hives, stomach cramps and in some cases, anaphylaxis.
• Gluten ataxia–affecting some nerve tissues, this autoimmune disorder caused problems with control over your muscles.

How to search for gluten free ingredients

Gluten free produce in supermarkets have become more plentiful over recent years.When news is released of supermarkets discontinuing certain gluten free products it can cause upset if people are denied their favourites.This means that in most cases you can find substitute ingredients to replace those you have used regularly before becoming gluten free. To do this, you first need to understand which foods contain gluten and that you should avoid, and the types of food that are allowed within a gluten free diet.

Gluten free foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Eggs
• Beans, legumes, unprocessed nuts, seeds
• Lean, non-processed meats, fish and poultry
• Buckwheat
• Corn
• Flax
• Millet
• Arrowroot
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Soy
• Tapioca

One of the main things to be aware of when shopping for gluten free ingredients is to learn how to read the food labels correctly. Whenever you buy processed food of any kind, get into the habit of reading the labels to see if there is any gluten present. Anything with gluten in it must declare it on the label.

Using a gluten free prescription service

A gluten free prescription provides you with a wide range of gluten free products from your pharmacy that are so delicious you might not even notice they are gluten free. This means that you don’t have to go without your favourite foods, as there is a range of suitable gluten free ingredients and gluten free products that are suitable for coeliacs, and tasty too! For many people starting a gluten free diet they are worried that those products that don’t contain gluten just won’t taste the same. That is no longer the case, with innovative food that is high quality and tastes great. From gluten free bread and rolls to pizza bases, pasta, gluten free flour mixes and crackers, there is a gluten free alternative available through prescription.

As you can see, if you follow a few hints and tips, and change the way you focus on your grocery shop, it is easier than ever before to find gluten free ingredients. Never be afraid to seek help, you did so after all when faced with coeliac disease symptoms, so why not seek help in learning the best ways to find gluten free ingredients?