Health Information Center

The way in which many celiacs cope with having to learn to live gluten free is:

plan ahead with your meals. Shopping my become a little longer affair to begin with, but it does get easier with more knowledge, and
prepare meals in advance. This takes pressure off of you, especially if your mornings are a little hectic (as in my own home!)
Learn which items contain ‘hidden gluten’ so you can avoid them
Shop at farmers markets and health food shops. This is something that you may need to get used to, as the majority of food items sold in these places are gluten free but with a little creativity, it does not have to get expensive.
If you share a kitchen with non gluten free items, it can be a challenge but it need not be difficult.

find a dedicated space to prepare your food, and some dedicated storage too.
Again it doesn’t have to be difficult once you have established you cannot eat gluten. Continue reading ‘Gluten Free Diet – Six Ground Rules’ »

Sensitivity to gluten is quite a popular topic of discussion today. Because of its relationship to osteoporosis, acne, allergies, and other conditions, it’s no wonder there’s so much interest in gluten. But what precisely is gluten? How can it effect your health? And why should you care? Let’s explore these questions now.

Continue reading ‘Why You Need To Know About Gluten’ »

Anything which includes flour (white or wheat) as an ingredient is not allowed and these are the most common culprits when it comes to avoiding gluten.

So why should you avoid gluten? As problem foods go, it is up there with the best of them when it comes to harming your body. It can be alluded to pre-disease such as Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis among others.

Gluten is a protein which is in food grains (such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and corn) that can produce allergic reactions in some people. Gluten is used as a filler and as a binder in pre-packaged foods. Continue reading ‘Beginner's Guide to Gluten Allergy Symptoms’ »

Food allergy is a rather fast response (minutes) by the body’s immune system to a perceived invader. Signs or symptoms are typically immediate, dramatic and visible: coughing, sneezing, vomiting, migraines, watering eyes, rashes, swelling tissue, hives – or in severe cases an anaphylactic shock which requires emergency intervention. However other symptoms like the gastro-intestinal responses nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be delayed for hours or even days.

An Allergy triggers an allergic response in a person – often immediately – on exposure to the allergen. Generally, people suffering from an allergy have had a breakdown in their immune system: it “misreads” the allergen as an enemy invader and pulls out all stops to attack it. Continue reading ‘Food Allergy or Intolerance – What is the Difference?’ »

Food allergy is a rather fast response (minutes) by the body’s immune system to a perceived invader. Signs or symptoms are typically immediate, dramatic and visible: coughing, sneezing, vomiting, migraines, watering eyes, rashes, swelling tissue, hives – or in severe cases an anaphylactic shock which requires emergency intervention. However other symptoms like the gastro-intestinal responses nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be delayed for hours or even days.

An Allergy triggers an allergic response in a person – often immediately – on exposure to the allergen. Generally, people suffering from an allergy have had a breakdown in their immune system: it “misreads” the allergen as an enemy invader and pulls out all stops to attack it. Continue reading ‘Food Allergy & Food Intolerance – What is the Difference?’ »

Newly diagnosed celiac and wheat/gluten allergy patients often feel overwhelmed once the reality of their new lifestyle hits them. Patients are told to completely stay away from gluten and wheat in their diets, but are often left to guess how to proceed with such a restrictive diet and lifestyle.

Many health care providers do not offer information to fully educate their patients on the “how-to’s” of adapting to the new challenges and changes that come with diagnosis. Patients who truly want to become healthier and completely adapt to their new lifestyle must embark on a journey of self-education.

Self-education is an on-going process for patients, and leads to empowerment and self-confidence by gaining knowledge and understanding of their condition. With knowledge, patients can face Life and safely take part in the world around them. Quality of life is greatly enhanced when patients are feeling good and more confident. Self-education is a very powerful tool for newly diagnosed patients who suffer from celiac disease and wheat/gluten allergies. Continue reading ‘Principle of Self-Education For Wheat And Gluten-Free Patients’ »