Gluten-free Meal Plan
Gluten-free diet is quite popular among people suffering from celiac disease or any other gluten-related medical conditions. A gluten-free diet is basically a diet which excludes protein gluten, such as that found in grains like barley, rye, wheat, and triticale. There are many gluten-free alternatives of grain and flour, such as buckwheat, corn, coconut flour, pea flour, and soy flour, etc. Although many people think that gluten-free diet is highly effective for weight-loss, it has not been proven yet.
Foods You Can Eat
The food items that you are allowed to eat for a gluten-free meal plan are:
- Corn
- Plain rice
- Whole grains and grain-like plants which do not contain gluten
- Flours made using gluten-free grains
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Vegetable oils
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat
- Seafood
- Nuts
- Beans and legumes
- Spices
- Distilled alcoholic beverages
- Mono and diglycerides
Foods to Avoid
The following food items should be avoided at all costs, especially if you have a gluten-related medical disease:
- Wheat in all forms
- Barley and malt
- Ingredients with wheat in name (buckwheat is an exception)
- Rye
- Breaded or floured meat, veggies or poultry
- Licorice
- Modified food items containing gluten
Since there is no other solution available for the celiac disease, the only cure is prevention – avoiding all the gluten containing food items and sticking to gluten-free meal plan strictly.
Why opt for Gluten-free Meal Plan?
If you are suffering from celiac disease, then gluten-free meal plan is the only option you have. It can relieve you from the symptoms of celiac disease, including fatigue, migraines, anemia, muscle pain, depression, peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal distress, dermatitis herpetiformis, osteopenia, osteoporosis, weight gain/weight loss, and reproductive problems. Currently, more than three million Americans are suffering from celiac disease, and about 18 million are sensitive to gluten (non-celiac). About 83% of the people suffering from this disease are either unaware of it and remain undiagnosed, or they are misdiagnosed by the medical specialists. If left untreated, it can lead to severe health conditions like osteoporosis and can even lead to cancer.
In order to maintain your health and remain fit while following gluten-free meal plan, you should increase the intake of products which can compensate for all the essential nutrients present in gluten- containing food items (except for gluten of course). Following the gluten-free meal plan may turn out to be very difficult, but it can lead to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.