Gluten And What Is Wrong With It

Protein part of grains such as wheat, barley, rye, etc. is called the Gluten.

Some people suffer from injuries to the lining of the small intestine if it comes in contact with gluten. This is called celiac disease. It is also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy or non-tropical sprue. It can result in weight loss, gas, diarrhea; it may cause bloating or abdominal cramps. The affected person may suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The lining of the small intestine can heal if gluten is totally eliminated from the diet of these patients.

In severe cases of celiac disease if not treated in time the intestinal villi are damaged and complications such as malabsorption of fat, magnesium, calcium, iron, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and vitamin B12 may occur. In such a case, the patient may require supplemental vitamins and minerals for several months (or years) until intestinal villi regenerate.

Some people suffer from a skin disorder called dermatitis herpetiform due to gluten intolerance.

Can You Remove Gluten From Food?

It is not easy to eliminate gluten from a person’s diet since virtually all food products use grains in their preparation. Since we cannot tell what is in by the name of an ingredient, we may easily consume gluten without being aware of it. It is difficult to prescribe Gluten Free Diet.

Gluten Free Diet

By staying on strict gluten free diet the condition of a celiac disease patient can improve dramatically. The patient’s diet should be periodically reviewed with a dietician because it is necessary to maintain gluten-free diet throughout life. Gluten-free cereals tend to be lower in B vitamins and fiber. Care must be taken to ensure adequate intakes of these nutrients. It makes Gluten Free Dieting very difficult.

The person responsible for a CD (celiac disease ) patient\’s diet must understand gluten-free diet well. The CD patient’s diet must not contains the following grains: rye, wheat, and barley in any form. The following items can be eaten: corn, rice, soybeans, potato, tapioca,
Gluten is present in Malt vinegar but not in Distilled white vinegar

Many food ingredients use grain in their processing .Gluten presence is suspect if the food labels include following terms:
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), excepting when made from corn or soy
• Vegetable Protein unless made from soy or corn

You may use the following:
• Flour or Cereal products made from corn flour, pure rice flour, soy flour or potato flour
• Soy Sauce or Soy Sauce Solids which are known not to contain wheat
• Carob bean gum, cellulose gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic,
• Malt or Malt Flavoring derived from corn
• Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch made from corn, potato, arrowroot, or maize

A food product whose label contains following words may contain gluten :
• flavoring
• emulsifier
• stabilizer
• starch
• hydrolyzed plant protein

The comments on precautions to be observed for gluten free diet mentioned above are only indicative.

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Diets Defined For You

Diet is the “kind and amount of food prescribed for a person for a special reason”. In the context of weight loss the term diet would cover all specific requirements in terms of constituents, their quantities and also the manner of their preparation as food for promoting loss of weight.
There are many diet plans proposed/promoted by different people. There is a 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene\’s Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict\’s Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on!
Some are promoted by parties who as publishers, producers or suppliers of supplements or constituents of the diet and are suspect as being purely a commercial vehicle. Some others are merely fad diets that look upon the concept of weight loss or weight control as a gimmick. Many of these are neither based on proper scientific knowledge or scrutiny.

Three major constituents of a beneficial diet are carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Usually the main energy source for the body is the carbohydrates; proteins are necessary for the growth and repair of body cells, and general maintenance of the body, fats are a rich source of energy. A well balanced diet includes these in appropriate proportions; it will also include water. Water is vitally important to life - metabolic reactions and other functions depend critically on adequate water. Water constitutes almost 80% of the body weight.

There are various items in our everyday food that contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats; but not all the items that we normally consume are really beneficial. There are many that may provide the necessary calories to the body but at the same time they are harmful in some respects. A balanced diet should be made uo of “good” or healthy components and avoid or reduce the use of “bad” or unhealthy components.

A balanced diet will consist of carbohydrates from healthy sources to provide about 40 to 60 percent of the calorie requirement of the body. Vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains are good sources of carbohydrates; they provide fiber which is also for various functions of the body.
On the other hand other sources of carbohydrates such as white sugar, deserts, candy, frizzy drinks should be avoided or limited in consumption; they cause hormone imbalance, obesity, chronic inflammation issues.

Just as in case of carbohydrates, there are certain good proteins and certain bad proteins. Good proteins which provide all essential amino acids are contained in organic sources such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry; processed meats et should be avoided. About 10 to 30 percent of the body’s calorie requirement should be met from proteins.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty essential acids stimulate immunity system of the body, fight inflammations, and are beneficial to heart and brain functioning. But these are not made by our body. Cold water fish, walnuts, etc can provide these to the body. Avoifd or limit use of unhealthy fats such as from processed foods and hydrogenated oils. Your body should get about 20 t0 30 percent of its calorie requirement from good fats as explained above.

Your diet should also include adequate amount of fiber or roughage. It does not provide nutrients but has an important role in helping bowel movements and also helping to lose weight.

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Dieting Made Easy

Most of the people think of dieting as equivalent of starving or popping slimming pills. Weight loss can be achieved by pleasurable dieting too. Follow a few simple rules for healthy dieting and you have a wide choice of what you can eat to please your fancy. Healthy diet and adequate exercises are the sure and safe ways to lose weight.

Healthy diet will protect your body from illnesses by providing appropriate nutrients. At the same time you would be able to shed the excess fat gradually in a safe way by maintaining proper balance of the essential constituents; that’s the trick of natural weight loss.

There are many websites that will help you determine what should be your calorie intake, based on your personal details and based on your diet they can also tell you what your present intake is..

A Well-Balanced Diet should include nutrient rich carbohydrates, high-quality protein, and healthy fats.

Carbohydrates
About 40-60% of your calorie intake should come from carbohydrates. That means if you\’re on a 1500 calories a day diet, you should be striving to get about 800 calories a day from “good” carbs. Restrict or avoid white flour, desserts and ice creams. Cut out soda-pop and candy. They contribute to weight gain and add nothing to health. Use oatmeal or whole grain cereal instead. Include whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, whole grain cereals. You will be getting sufficient vitamins, amino acids and fiber too; you will feel fuller longer.

Proteins
About 20-30% of your calories i.e. about 375 calories should come from “wild” (not processed or farm raised) animal sources such as fish, meat, poultry, yogurt and eggs and from vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and seeds.

Fats
The balance calorie intake, about 325 in our example, shall come from “good” fats such as “wild” cold-water fish, flaxseed, walnuts, etc. They give Omega 3 essential fatty acid that is very essential for your overall health. Avoid or at least limit use of hydrogenated oils.

A few general comments:
Fish: Fish is low in fat, high in protein (as red meat), and provides omega 3 fatty acids which few other proteins would. Also as a general rule fish has fewer calories. Try to eat at least 2-3 servings of fish per week as replacement to meat.
Spinach: This is the cheapest source of nutrition for your body. It is rich in folic acid, minerals, and vitamins. You can prepare it in a variety of ways. Use it often in your diet.

Olive Oil: It is a “good” fat with loads of benefits to the body. This is a basic source of fat in the Mediterranean diet.

Follow these simple suggestions, and happy dieting!

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