Gluten free

As the Gluten free "diet" is becoming more and more popular I have decided to talk about why I am gluten free, how it is for medical reasons and what I eat that still gives me the nutritious benefits that I need.

People with coeliac disease or who have an intolerance to Gluten, face a reaction to Wheat and Barley in Gluten that leads to damage to the lining of your gut and causes a lot of discomfort. The symptoms can vary from bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and headaches. I found out that I couldn't have Gluten a few years ago through doing tests at the doctors which included things such as a stool and wee sample alongside writing a diary of which foods caused me symptoms over a period of a month, so that myself and the doctor could establish what foods it was that was causing me discomfort. Below I will show you some of the foods I eat, a bit about them and where they are from.

Breakfasts:

Quite often for breakfast I will have 1 Banana and a hand full of Sultanas, and often I add 1 Apple as well. Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. Eating them can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cancer and asthma. Moreover, the fibre, potassium, Vitamin C and B6 content help to support heart health. Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that studies suggest plays a role in preserving memory and boosting your mood. Bananas are grown in at least 107 countries. Most people know the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctors away" but not why this saying is well used. Like Bananas apples are one of the most consumed fruits in the world due to having important antioxidants, flavonoids and dietary fibres that help our bodies. These things help apples reduce our risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, bad cholesterol, breast cancer, and heart disease. A study published in the Journal of food science 2008 suggested that eating apples helped our neurological states and help to prevent Alzheimer's and dementia. Furthermore according to medicalnewstoday.com a study of over 9,208 men and women who ate the most apples over a 28 year period had the lowest risk for a stroke. Lastly, Sultanas have been stated to help with conditions such as constipation, Acidosis, Anaemia, fever, Diabetes, Hypertension and Sexual dysfunction. As well as their impact on eye health, dental care, bone quality and helping to prevent Cancer.

Being on a gluten free diet there are some limitations to some foods. However, often their are alternatives, such as gluten free sausages. However, You do also have to be careful about sauces because some companies include wheat in some, such as ketchup.

I couldn't live without tea, and i'm glad to say its definitely gluten free!! Another thing I love to have for breakfasts or a snack is Nairn's gluten free oatcakes from Waitrose and on top I have things like Cream cheese, Pate, Boursin and Dairy lee triangles, which have the health beneficial factors of dairy and protein, which both help with bone quality. Oatcakes are very delicious and filling and help to add fibre to a coeliacs and gluten intolerants diet. They also provide a natural sustained energy release which can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. On the Nairn's website they state, "Oats are rich in minerals; calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc as well as plenty of B vitamins, all shown to be important for bone health. Regular consumptin of oats may be beneficial to support bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, the incidence of which is 50% among coeliacs."

Lunches:

My lunches for work quite often include snacky things. I quite often get Waitrose roast chicken mini breast fillets. Chickens has benefits such as protein, essential vitamins and minerals, controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and reducing the risk of cancer.

I also quite often eat salads such as halloumi, which helps to give you both calcium, protein, fat and fibre.

Dinner:

these are some of the meals i have had at restaurants...

Browns Gluten free menu includes a fair selection of starters, mains and puddings. This particular dish was "Roasted lamb rump, potato gratin, crushed minted peas, red wine jus. For £16.95" It was delicious and Moorish.

This dish was from the Rainbow cafe in Cambridge. It was the "Latvian potato bake. for £10.95. It includes White potatoes poached in milk with basil, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, nutmeg, black pepper and lots of cheese. oven baked with gluten free crumbs to a unique Latvian recipe, served with salad garnish." Alongside gluten free garlic bread. The dish was very filling but was very tasty.

This was a meal from the gluten free menu in Frankie and Bennies. They no longer do this particular dish but it would be similar to the, "Tender chicken breast topped with bacon, slow-cooked pulled pork, BBQ and spicy cheese sauce, plus spicy onion rings, fries, 'slaw and corn on the cob" on the gluten free menu.

Puddings:

These where some gluten free profiteroles that I got from the "free from" isle in Tesco. They are filled with whipped cream and topped with chocolate and the pastry is gluten free.

Flowerless Brownie from Browns Brassiere in Cambridge which includes Honeycomb ice cream and Devon cream toffee sauce. It is priced at £6.50.

Drinks:

This is a Hot chocolate from Revolutions Leicester. However, my favourite hot chocolate is from Waterstones bookshop cafe in Cambridge with their gluten free brownies.

I hope this was both educational and interesting:)