The Gluten Free Series

Many people find symptom relief after cutting out gluten. They report feeling more energy, easier digestion, and less joint pain. Some, however, still suffer lingering effects. Skin rashes, for example, or headaches and brain fog. If you’ve gone on a gluten-free diet and have experienced   improvements, but are still suffering from some symptoms, check out these  steps. It could be that you’ve missed something along the way.

Make Sure You’ve Gotten It All Out of Your Diet

Seeking a gluten-free diet can be a challenge. Wheat and other grains are pervasive in the food industry, and it’s not always easy to find where they may be lurking. If you’ve gone gluten-free, you’ve likely already eliminated foods that obviously contain wheat, barley, malt, and rye, along with related ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein, kamut, triticale, semolina, cake flour, matzo, and couscous. You’re already scanning any packaged foods for wheat products, including bread, cakes, cereals, cookies, crackers, pretzels, pasta, and pizza crusts.

But there may be other things you’ve missed. Sauces like soy and teriyaki, for example, may contain gluten, as can licorice and other candies made with wheat or barley. Regular oats may be contaminated with gluten-containing grains, unless they’re specially processed to avoid it.

Here are a few other places where gluten may be hiding.

• Chinese food: Most Chinese condiments contain gluten, including soy, oyster, hoisin, and bean sauces. Choose a different type of cuisine or look for a Chinese restaurant that offers a gluten-free menu.
• Taco seasoning/Cajun seasoning: Beware of seasonings, especially those that come in ready-made packets. Taco and Cajun seasonings usually contain a blend of spices and use flour as filler. Same goes for just about any pre-packaged spice blends.
• French fries/chips: These are usually gluten-free, but if you get them in restaurants, they may be coated in a flour seasoning that contains gluten. Always ask.
• Soup: Many contain flour as a thickening agent. Read labels carefully.
• Rice cereals: Rice is gluten-free, but if there is a malt flavoring, it’s likely not.
• Regular condiments: Mustard and ketchup products may contain gluten as a stabilizer and thickener. Read labels carefully and choose organic.
• Regular sauces and marinades: BBQ sauce, pasta sauce, and other similar items may also contain gluten as a thickener/stabilizer.

         In general, choose as many whole, natural foods as you can, and limit  

         processed and packaged foods. That will make it easier to avoid most  

         sources of gluten.

Remove Gluten from your skin, body, and home products.

Did you know that gluten could also be hiding in your makeup, skincare, and even cleaning products? Common products like shampoos, hair sprays, shaving gels, soaps, lipsticks, cleansers, laundry products, lotions, and even toothpastes can all contain traces of gluten that could be upsetting your system.

You Deserve to Feel Your Best!

You deserve to feel as good as you can, and taking a few more precautions in the foods you’re eating and the products you’re using could be just what you need to get back to your old energetic self.

Join us on our Gluten Free Series at the http://thegreenmouth.blogspot.com/

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Xo Gia

The Greenmouth, Green Lifestyle