Being vegan and gluten free can feel nearly impossible because most gluten free products contain dairy and eggs. There are, however, options out there that you may not know about. A gluten free diet is a diet free of wheat and its by products. Over the past few years, more and more people are showing gluten intolerances or wheat allergies.
Gluten intolerance usually flares up through symptoms such as:
- headache
- bloating
- cramping
- gas
- Cereal beverages, coffee substitutes Beverages made from wheat products: beer, ale, root beer
- Instant chocolate drink mixes
- Breads & Cereals Ry-Krisp, rice wafers Pure corn, arrowroot, barley, potato, or rye bread made without wheat flour or wheat products
- Whole wheat, enriched, or white bread, rolls, or bread crumbs Graham or gluten bread
- Donuts, sweet rolls, muffins, french toast, waffles, pancakes, dumplings, bread stuffing, rusk, popovers
- Prepared mixes for pancakes, waffles, biscuits, breads, and rolls
- Cereals made from farina, wheat, or those with wheat products or malt added
- Pretzels, crackers
- Semolina, spelt, or triticale
- Desserts Custards, Bavarian creams Oatmeal, arrowroot, rice, or rye cookies made without wheat products
- Gelatin
- Cakes, pastries, commercial frosting, icing, ice cream, sherbet, ice cream cones Cookies, prepared mixes, or packaged pudding containing wheat flour
- Graham crackers, donuts
- Any salad dressing thickened or gravy with wheat flour or products
- All breaded or floured meats, meats containing filler such as meatloaf, frankfurters, sausage, luncheon meats, bologna, or prepared meat patties
- Scalloped potatoes Noodles, spaghetti, macaroni, and other pasta products prepared with wheat or semolina flour
- Soup thickened with wheat flour
- Vegetables combined with wheat products Breaded or floured vegetables
- Malt products, Worcestershire sauce, gravies thickened with wheat flour Monosodium glutamate (MSG), meat tenderizers containing MSG, prepared oriental food seasoned with MSG, soy sauce
in severe cases diarrhea and/or vomiting
Those suffering from celiac disease are extremely sensitive to gluten and have a hard time absorbing nutrients from their foods making those with Celiacs deficient in nutrients that can be detrimental to their over all health.
A gluten free diet can bring a lot of freedom to one suffering with celiac or gluten allergies. Eating gluten free will prevent bloating, and other symptoms, and may bring relief to the consumer and most importantly help them enjoy their food. Those with gluten allergies experience their body fighting itself. It can be frustrating and extremely uncomfortable. To find relief, one has to cut out all wheat products and by products.
Avoid:
It seems nearly impossible to go on a gluten free diet especially with the long list of foods that need to be avoided. It looks like theres no food left to eat once you eliminate gluten but its easier than it seems. Once a gluten free diet is habitually put in place, it becomes easy. The challenge is to educate yourself. The more you know about gluten free foods, the easier it will be to find gluten free foods. Find the right substitutes and a gluten free diet can actually satisfy your palate. You can live symptom free and enjoy delicious gluten free foods. A lot of restaurants now offer gluten free menus. You can eat out and still eat gluten free. Theres also a lot of gluten free vegan recipes out there as well.
If you’re not sure if a gluten free diet is right for you then test it first. Sometimes it’s hard to find out which foods are creating discomfort. Cut out gluten for a week and see how you feel. Try to keep a food diary to document any shifts and changes in your body and emotions. You may not have Celiacs but you notice that you get headaches the days you eat gluten. Try Cutting it out of your diet to improve your over all sense of well being. Wheat products are used as fillers for processed foods that are deficient in nutrients. A Gluten free diet may be the best thing you can do for body as long as you are eating nutrient dense foods.