Probiotics and Gluten-free Diet

Earlier in June I posted the article The Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet. In this article it talks about a study Published in the April 2009 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition. The researchers in the study followed 10 healthy volunteers and tracked their progress with a gluten-free diet over a period of time. According to the article, "When the experiment was over, the levels of “good bacteria” (called probiotics, which are found in yogurt, among other things) in the stomach were measured against the first batch they took prior to the diet change. The levels of helpful stomach bacteria were significantly reduced as well as a number of markers that decide immune health."

So, where am I going with this? For those of you NOW worried about low levels of "good bacteria" due to eating "Gluten-Free" there are several products that you can take daily to help.

Yakult is "a Japanese probiotic milk-like product made by fermenting a mixture of skimmed milk with a special strain of the bacteria Lactobacillus casei Shirota."

Here is what I know about it:
IT IS GLUTEN-FREE. Yakult contains it's own probiotic (live, friendly bacteria) called Lactobacillus casei.
Yakult needs to be refrigerated in order for the Lactobacillus casei to stay alive. In fact all probiotics need to stay refrigerated in order for the bacteria to stay alive. You cannot get the proper amount of Lactobacillus casei from any other products you would normally eat on a daily basis, even yogurts. Yakult tastes just a little bit sweet (kind of like horchata). They come in small individual 2.7 oz bottles.
If you are looking for Yakult you can go to almost any grocery store to get it, even the commissary if you are military.

Delight Gluten Free Magazine

Did anyone know there is a new magazine just for us Anti-Glutites? I never knew there were Gluten-Free magazines out there! Serious, one that you can subscribe to through the mail like Shape or The Family Handyman. I am so excited that I didn't hesitate to subscribe!

Delight Gluten-Free Magazine features everyday recipes without unusual ingredients, beautiful and stunning pictures, and entertaining articles.

To visit the magazine's website click here

To subscribe to the magazine click here

Their current issue contains topics ranging from: Gluten-Free on a budget, Restaurant chains, Gluten-Free menus in detail, Recipes galore, and MUCH more!

For $14 a year, this magazine could be mailed to you! Plus get the Summer Issue by ordering now!

Happy eating, learning and living! Gluten-Free...

Vodka Drinkers - Gluten-Free Vodka

Hey all you San Diego Anti-Glutite Vodka drinkers out there. We have a local company that makes a Gluten-Free Vodka called U4RIK. I have not tried it, but am looking forward to and am looking for your comments as to what you think.

∞ U4RIK is a blend of the finest wine grapes from Northern California's famed Napa Valley. What many don't know is that when you feel a hangover the day after drinking alcohol, it may be nothing more than your body rejecting an exorbitant amount of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in starch products such as potatoes, grains and other ingredients used to make low-end vodkas. Switching to gluten-free U4RIK Vodka may be the trick to help you avoid hangovers. The Napa Valley wine grapes used in making U4RIK Vodka are 100% gluten-free and may help you enjoy a night of U4RIK Vodka without regretting it the day after.

 

∞ Where can I buy this? Click here!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Article: Going Gluten-Free At Age 13

The NPR, today, has an article on Celiac Disease in the Health & Science section. The article covers the following...

∞ Symptom Checklist

∞ Expanding Options In Gluten-Free Cooking

∞ Diagnosis Is The First Step To A Solution

∞ Diagnosis And Diet Changes Lead To A Quick Recovery

∞ The Consequences Of Not Treating Celiac Disease

Nice to see its gaining national attention! Thank you Germaine for letting me know about this article!

  

Happy eating, learning and living! Gluten-Free...

Gluten Intolerance And Depression

I found this article on "Gluten Intolerance And Depression" on @GlutenFreedom Twitter page. The article talks about how malabsorption can lead to depression.

 

Wait...Depression??? "Geeez, my friend is eating a really yummy looking German Chocolate cake. What if I took a little bite? I want some so bad!!!" I can't say I don't go through that! Some Anti-glutites seem to struggle internally which I believe can cause depression. How about the being invited over or out to eat and not wanting to be a bother or a nuisance because your diet is extremely different? I get sick of asking questions too!

 

Yes, we know being gluten-free sucks, but think about the way you feel being gluten-free?

 

I also notice that people seem to think that if you don't show you're allergic to gluten then you're not allergic. Just because YOU cant see my affects doesn't mean I am not being affected. I get this a lot. How about anyone else? That may be another issue... frustration can possibly lead to depression... I don't know!

 

Happy eating, learning and living! Gluten-Free...

The Pure Pantry

I forgot to mention that yesterday at the Gluten-Free dining event I met Elizabeth Kaplan, Founder-CEO of The Pure Pantry. The Pure Pantry offers, gluten-free baking mixes made with healthy, organic ingredients. Unfortunately, I have not sampled any of their products and hope to soon. If anyone else has, I would love to hear your comments.

Gluten-Free Cooking and Dining Event with the Warren Celiac Center and Four Seasons Resort Aviara

For those of you who did not have the chance to attend, YOU MISSED A GOOD TIME! We learned new tips and tricks and had some laughs with Chef Jesse Paul (cool guy by the way!). Chef Jesse Paul seems to be really passionate about Gluten-Free food.

 

Here are some tips I jotted down...

 

Garlic - make sure you cut the wood part off the garlic and if the garlic is overly ripened take out the green shoot in the middle. This helps to avoid adding a biter taste to whatever it is you're cooking.

 

Citrus - You only want to use the colored part of the rind not the white part or what's called the pith. This "pith" also adds bitterness!

 

Peeling (blanching for all you cooks out there) Peaches, Nectarines or Tomatoes - Cut a little X shape in the top of the fruit. Place in boiling water for 10 - 20 seconds to remove the skin (this does not cook it but softens the skin). Promptly take out of the water and place in freezing cold water. When cold enough (don't burn yourself... be patient) peel off the outside.

 

Chef Jesse Paul also mentioned that when cooking vegetables like onions or bell peppers cut them to size based upon how fast you want them to cook. The smaller the faster and the bigger the slower. Common sense right, but I never thought about it did you?

Chef Jesse Paul and I

Pictures of the featured food...

∞ Watermelon Salad with Pickled Cucumber and Smoked Mackerel

∞ Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Peach Chutney, Arugula Pesto & Mascarpone

∞ Peach Sabayon with Strawberries & Basil Syrup (This was waiting for us when we arrived... This was FABULOUS!!!)

A NEW acronym was born at this event... "GFF"! This stands for GLUTEN FREE FRIENDS (thank you Michelle for coining this term)! I want to thank some of my GFF's... Michelle, Nicole and Robin for joining me at this event! I really appreciate and like your company. We should dine GF more often. I also want to give a shout to my new GFF's that I met today Holly, Kylie and the couple at the end of the table we were sitting at (SORRY I didn't get your names). It was great to hear your stories. It's interesting to hear how each person is affected by gluten and it's nice we can all come together to discuss and celebrate our gluten intolerance =o) Celebrate... ha ha ha... I'm silly!

My GFF's (Me, Nicole, Robin and Michelle)

The Buffet... cant forget the buffet! FABULOUS! Everything at the buffet was Gluten-Free! We were all in Gluten-Free heaven! Here is what was featured...

∞ Gluten-Free Penne Pasta

∞ Roasted Chicken

∞ Halibut

∞ Grilled Flat Iron Steak

∞ Gluten-Free Panini

∞ Dessert Selections including Lemon Meringue Nests, Reves du Chocolate & Strawberry Panna Cotta.

Here is what I had...

Yes, those are Gluten-Free sandwiches. Bread was provided by the Gluten Not Included Bakery in Escondido.

 

 Pictures of other items at the buffet...

 

 

 

 

Anyone interested in a Gluten-Free Tea Party? I am hoping to plan this event sometime in the beginning of August. This will be at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara as well. Please email me so that I have you on my list for an invitation!

    

Happy eating, learning and living!

The Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet

This is an interesting article. For those of you who are Gluten-Free, who don't need to be, you may want to read this. I am interested in knowing what these test subjects were eating.

 

Why are they also calling "Gluten-Fee" a craze? More people are now finding out about their issues because there is testing and education available that wasn't available before. GEEEEZ!

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm... Good thing my favorite frozen yogurt place GOLDEN SPOON has probiotics in their frozen yogurt so I have good bacteria!

Heres the article in case it gets erased...

The Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet 
by Brian T. Phaber

By now, most people have heard about the gluten-free diet, which is popular among some celebrities and many average people as a way to lose weight. The truth about gluten-free diets is that they are a horrible idea for regular people - overweight or not. Only individuals with Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder that makes a person's digestive system intolerant to gluten, should be on such a diet. Amusingly, some of the health benefits that celebrities and weight loss fanatics boast about can be completely wrong when it comes to a gluten-free diet. These diets are very dangerous for a person without Celiac Disease, especially since most people already can't keep their bodies completely healthy.

Gluten-Free Basics
Gluten is found in most of what normal people eat each day. In reality, wheat, barley, rye, and other grains contain gluten.The average person probably consumes it with each meal of the day. Anyways, gluten-free diets are pretty hard to maintain for anyone because of the prevalence of gluten-filled foods. Of course, gluten-free foods aren't even that common in national supermarkets and other stores. Most people will have to seek out an alternative foods store in order to find foods that are made specifically without gluten. So then, what are gluten-free products made out of? Corn, rice, and other gluten substitutes are used in place of gluten to make these foods. The results are a bland tasting alternative more often than not.

The Proposed "Benefits" of a Gluten-Free Diet
Many people go around boasting the benefits of this diet. For starters, weight loss is a proposed benefit of the gluten-free diet. Also, higher level of energy is a common claim. Some people who start the diet simply say that they feel better overall each day. Of course, there are plenty of other supposed benefits - most of which are unproven or unfounded. Still, many people on a gluten-free diet say they are healthier than before and feel much better in their daily lives. One thing that people probably forget to mention is that they increase their self-control because they have to fight the urge to eat gluten-filled foods that are just about everywhere.

The Real Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet
On the other hand, a gluten-free diet can be plenty dangerous. A person on this diet is probably lacking some basic substances that are vital to their health, such as fiber and other vitamins. Without these nutrients, a person can actually gain weight and feel some pretty heavy side effects. Constipation is a side effect of not eating gluten because a person isn't getting enough fiber in their diet. A person may feel more sluggish each day because of their lack of nutrients. Even more serious, lacking gluten in a diet (when you are not a celiac) can result in decreased bacteria in the stomach that are vital for the digestive system. Gluten-free diets can cause plenty of problems, especially when a person doesn't get all of the nutrients they need. On top of that, gluten-free foods are very expensive, so most people can't even afford to go on the diet. In the end, gluten-free diets really aren't for most people.

Not a Celiac? Stay Away from Gluten-Free!
Only celiacs should be going on a gluten-free diet. Obviously, a celiac's body can't process gluten properly, so they should avoid it at all costs. The one thing that must be pointed out is that a person with a gluten sensitivity - different than Celiac Disease - is one of the few cases where a person should stay away from gluten products. Anyways, gluten-free diets can cause plenty of problems, especially when it comes to overall nutrition. These diets aren't safe, and the majority of people that go on them won't be able to maintain their overall health. Therefore, gluten-free diets aren't recommended for the average person.

 

Happy eating, learning and living!