What can I eat I am gluten free?! For sufferers, friends and family…

Lets break it down:

Gluten: Gluten is a family of proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye.

Intolerance: A difficulty digesting foods and can lead to poor digestion, bloating, fatigue, vomiting, headaches and joint pains.

Allergy: Immediate immune system response to a food which your body recognises as dangerous. This can be life threatening and those with an allergy should carry an epi-pen and antihistamines. How to use an epi-pen : http://www.epipen.ca/en/about-epipen/how-to-use

Coeliac Disease: Chronic auto-immune disease in which the immune system mistakes gluten as an allergen and causes severe symptoms.

Trigger words to watch out for avoiding gluten and wheat (please note this list is not exhaustive):

1. Bran

2. Wheat

3. Gluten

4. Bulgar

5. Couscous

6. Flour – unless gluten and wheat free

7. Wheat germ

8. Cereal

9. Farro

10. Kamut

11. Durum Wheat

Foods/Products to be careful of:

1. Bread

2. Cereal

3. Baking Powder

4. Sauces

5. Cakes

6. Pasta

7. Noodles

8. Rusk

9. Salad Dressing

10. Ready Meals

11. Sausages

12. Burgers

13. Breaded meat and fish

14. Some chocolates

TOP TIP: CHECK EVERYTHING. Know what is in your food! I have even found wheat to be in shampoo/conditioner so check all labels. Be vigilant.