However, some people with certain medical conditions, such asceliacdisease or non-celiac-related gluten sensitivity, should avoid it.
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What Is Gluten?
Gluten also adds protein and flavor to foods.
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Most people are able to safely consume and tolerate gluten-containing foods.
What Does a Gluten-Free Label Mean?
Here are some tips to follow whenshopping for gluten-free foods:
What Foods Contain Gluten?
Food products that often contain gluten include:
The Controversy Over Oats
Oats do not contain gluten.
If you choose to eat oats, be sure to only use oat products that are labeled as gluten-free.
This means the manufacturer has taken measures to prevent gluten-containing foods from cross-contaminating the oats.
Additionally, oats contain a protein calledaveninthat is similar to gluten.
Some people with celiac disease also have an immune reaction to avenin and thus choose to avoid oats altogether.
This results in decreased or poor nutrient absorption.
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by celiac disease.
However, only about 30% are accurately diagnosed.
Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong adherence to agluten-free diet.
It was previously thought that people with NCGS/NCWS only experience symptoms, with no damage to the small intestine.
Some high-FODMAP foods also contain gluten.
People with a wheat allergy need to avoid wheat and all wheat-derived or crossbred grains.
Because gluten-free foods do not contain wheat, people with a wheat allergy can eat gluten-free foods.
However, not all gluten-containing foods need to be avoided.
Those made with rye or barley can be eaten.
They can run tests, including those to rule out celiac disease.
If you do not receive a diagnosis of celiac disease, you may still beintolerant or sensitive to gluten.
Gluten intolerance or sensitivitydiffers from celiac disease, though the conditions may havesome overlap.
Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine.
It has possible long-term complications if left untreated.
Below are foods that are gluten-free and safe on a gluten-free diet.
Grains
The grain food group is often the trickiest to navigate when it comes to avoiding gluten.
However, there are manygluten-free grainsthat you might eat on a gluten-free diet.
Protein Foods
Most fresh plant and animal proteins are naturally gluten-free.
Eliminating gluten from your diet can result in inaccurate or invalid test results.
Most people are able to safely consume gluten without any adverse health effects.
Consuming gluten with celiac diseaseresults in inflammationand damage to the villi of the small intestine.
Common symptoms of gluten sensitivity or intolerance include abdominal pain, bloating, and a change in bowel patterns.
If you suspect you have issues related to gluten, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.
Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?
Food and Drug Administration.Gluten and food labeling.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Sources of gluten.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of celiac disease.
Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?
2021;60(6):3505-3522. doi:10.1007/s00394-020-02473-0
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Wheat.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of celiac disease.
Catassi C.Gluten sensitivity.Ann Nutr Metab.
2015;67 Suppl 2:16-26. doi:10.1159/000440990
Celiac Disease Foundation.Gluten-free foods.
Whole Grains Council.Gluten free whole grains.
