Monday, February 13, 2017

Is It Really Gluten Free?

Someone asked me a few weeks ago, "So how can you tell if something is really gluten free?" Of course, label reading is the first step. If the label says gluten free, it probably is. But I have noticed how some products claim to be gluten free, but also say that they are manufactured on equipment or in the same facility as things containing wheat. This is typically not gluten free. The chance of cross-contamination is so high that it stands the chance that you will get sick if you are gluten intolerant. Of course, not always is this the case, but most of the time it is. If you haven't been sick for a while, and are feeling brave enough to try a product like this...you are taking a big chance. Remember the symptoms may not appear immediately, but the damage will still be present!
It is always best to be careful. There are so many products out there to choose from, you don't need to risk it.
I found personally that even some that say they are gluten free can still make me sick. For instance, some products claim to be certified gluten free because they have less than 20 ppm of gluten present in the product. Hey, people, there is still gluten, just not very much. Eat this in large quantities, or a little bit everyday, and it will add up! (I learned this one the hard way, you know stomach cramps, fatigue, weight loss, etc.)
If you are unsure, you can always call the manufacturer! You know they hear stuff like this all the time, and actually may have a gluten statement already ready for you on their website!
Remember, we are following this diet to improve our health. We don't have to, we choose to. We want to improve the quality of our life so we can be there for our families and friends when they need us. When you focus on why you are doing it, it helps make the 'what to eat' decisions a lot easier.
Have a Healthy, Happy, Gluten Free Day!
~EM KENNEDY~

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