Gluten: As a rule, traditional wheat products such as pastas, breads, crackers and other baked goods are not gluten-free. However, there are many gluten-free options available, which use alternative flours and grains. Look out for these in your supermarket or health shops.
Many commercially available products are labeled “gluten-free or “wheat-free” but there will be a few products that are not properly labelled. Reading your food label is really important.
It is very important to base your diet around fruits, vegetables, meats and other healthy food groups. Listed below are a few healthy options.
Naturally gluten-free food groups:
Beans, legumes and nuts
Dairy
Meat and poultry
Fruits and vegetables
Fish and seafood
Grains: The following grains and other starch-containing foods are naturally gluten-free:
Brown rice, corn, (maize) Soy
Potato – red and sweet
Beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax
Quinoa
Chia
Nut flours
Arrowroot
Amaranth
Gluten-free oats
Cereals: Cornflakes and puffed rice cereal may contain malt flavouring or extract, which contains gluten.
Oats: Oats must be consumed in moderation up to ½ cup dry rolled oats daily. This foodstuff is tolerated for stomach issues and celiac disease. Look for oats specifically labelled gluten-free in all products containing oats, including granolas and granola bars, as well as all other muesli bars.
Soups and Sauces: Soups and sauces have a lot of gluten – homemade is best!
Produce: Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free.
Produce Drinks: Drink pre-prepared smoothies in small amounts. The same with dried fruit, which is good in small amounts; as these maybe higher in sugar. Additionally, packaged frozen potatoes are not always gluten-free and labels should be read carefully choosing these products.
Beverages: Most beverages are gluten-free, including juices, sodas and sports drinks. Be aware, as they are high in sugar and sodium, which weakens the immune and can create stomach health concerns, which you are trying to prevent. The stomach needs to be strong and healthy as it holds and mobilises all nutrients we consume, enabling us to feed the body properly.
Yeast: In the intestinal tract there are living microbes. The good bacteria are called ‘flora’ and the harmful microorganisms are called ‘candida Albicans’ (yeast). With some conditions, such as celiac disease and other stomach problems such as sinus, sore stomach periodically, skin rashes/eczema, including other various issues, there is often too much candida (yeast overgrowth) in the intestinal tract, that the immune system begins attacking the intestinal tract itself, thus inflammation sets in and the stomach cannot feed the body the nutrients it needs. It then becomes toxic and the yeast multiplies. Flora keeps the yeast in-check in a healthy individual.