It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of living a gluten free lifestyle – after all I’m so passionate about it I made it my job to educate others about it and the benefits too. But to be fair there are a lot about living gluten free that warrants some further explanation and demonstration. I do feel as though it is part of my responsibility as a gluten free diet coach to educate and deliver to you all the relevant information so you can make an informed decision about going gluten free yourself.
In this post, I will be discussing the 10 things you didn’t know about gluten. I just hope this enlightens you about going gluten free and that it aids in getting you on the right track in terms of good, nourishing food choices.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Gluten
1. Gluten was discovered in the 7th century when a group of vegetarian monks found out that a gummy mass can be extracted from wheat when washing off the starch. They then used it as meat replacement… introducing the start of a gluten prominent diet.
2. Gluten is a good source of protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which basically takes part in every vital biological function from immune responses to active transport, cell signaling, cell adhesion and cell cycle.
3. Now, while it is the aforementioned, it naturally does not provide anything else – no vitamins or minerals. Basically it is a cheat food that makes your body think you’re eating the real deal but does not come close to delivering what the fresh and organic alternative does.
4. Gluten can be considered junk food even though it’s tantamount to an important macronutrient. It comes with a multitude of chemicals, is found in commercialized rations (which basically is mutated food) and it is negligible in the whole scheme of things.
5. Gluten is something inherent in grasses and can also be found in rice and maize. But the protein that is reputed to have negative effects on the body (true gluten) is mostly derived from wheat, rye, barley and triticale (a wheat-rye crossbreed).
6. Gluten is not solely a food component. It can be found in hair products, cosmetics and dermatological preparations. This is mostly due to the fact that it provides elasticity whilst allowing mixtures to maintain a specific shape. Non gluten free lipstick does very little to upset your metabolism so there’s no need to be wary about its use. But it does seem strange that you could be eating the same ingredient you’re applying externally.
7. Gluten could also be harming your pets since it is extensively used as a protein supplement in feeds.
8. Gluten can even be found in beer, condiments and ice cream. In these cases, they are used more to stabilize the mixture instead of make it elastic or ensure they are protein rich. So don’t be surprised if you’re favourite drop or scoop is eliminated when making your gluten free diet plans.
9. Gluten makes production cheaper because manufacturers can make so much out of just a few ingredients. So expect wholesome gluten free options to be slightly more expensive.
10. Gluten free products are not necessarily fat-free or sugar-free, especially if you’re buying something pre-made. Chances are, you’re introducing something as equally bad to your system if you are not meticulously monitoring your intake. So be proactive all the way and learn gluten free diet recipes you can use to fully control your plate.
To find out more about Gluten? Here are some articles that may be of further interest >
What is Gluten Free? >
Why you should give up the Gluten >
5 ways Gluten is making you sick and fat >
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