In recent years the market of GF products has constantly grown. Some people consider gluten-free meals to be healthier and decide to maintain a lifelong gluten-free diet. Yet, is it so? Let’s learn more about gluten-free products, why they are trendy, and how to maintain balanced eating using GF principles.

The Essence of Gluten-Free Menu: Who Should Maintain This Eating Principle

First, what is gluten and why is world society so afraid of eating it? Gluten is a substance from the group of plant proteins, which is found in the seeds of cereal plants, such as wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten provides moisture retention in products containing flour from the above grains. Thanks to it, bread and pastries retain their elasticity and loose structure. Gluten is found not only in baked goods - it is also found in pasta, cereal-based sauces, various cereals, and sweets. Even certain cosmetic products may contain traces of gluten.

Gluten itself is harmless to humans, but with the development of medicine, studies have appeared that have confirmed that 0.5-1% of the entire population of the planet has an intolerance to this protein. The isolated autoimmune disease is called celiac disease, and for those who suffer from it, gluten poses a danger. Depending on the severity, consumption of gluten in people with celiac disease can lead to both a decrease in quality of life and serious health problems, because the immune system identifies the gluten protein as a foreign protein and secretes antibodies that attack the body itself.

At the same time, even in healthy people, excess gluten on the menu can cause negative reactions in the body, primarily discomfort in the stomach, bloating, and flatulence.

Therefore, today even those who do not have a diagnosis of celiac disease in their medical history often choose the GF menu. At the same time, it is worth remembering several basic principles of gluten-free nutrition:

  • This is primarily not a diet for weight loss, but therapeutic nutrition to maintain a high quality of life in patients with celiac disease.
  • Gluten is not an allergen, it activates an autoimmune reaction and it is impossible to get an allergy to gluten if you have not had one before.
  • The nutritional value of gluten-free products does not differ significantly from gluten-containing products. Moreover, in some aspects, it is even lower.
  • Not all products labeled by manufacturers as gluten-free are so. In particular, this is a marketing ploy to attract attention to the gluten-free healthy eating trend.
Gluten-Free Meals

Still, who should try gluten-free dishes?

  • People with celiac diagnosis. For them, the GF diet is a must, no doubt.
  • Their family members who want to support their loved ones and maintain the same menu.
  • People who feel discomfort after consuming gluten (a so-called NCGS). Sometimes, even without celiac, your body cannot stand gluten in large amounts. That’s your solution: substitute gluten products with GF to feel better.
  • Those who gain extra weight because of eating lots of gluten products i.e., pastry, bread, or pasta. When you choose to eat GF, you can reduce the consumption of these products.

Yet, what products are gluten-free? The most useful ones among GF foods and meals are as follows:

  • Brown and wild rice;
  • buckwheat;
  • millet;
  • amaranth;
  • gluten-free oats;
  • fresh veal;
  • pork;
  • lamb;
  • fresh chicken;
  • turkey;
  • seafood;
  • fish;
  • soy products;
  • dairy products (without additional components);
  • olives and olive oil;
  • avocado and avocado oil;
  • various vegetable oils;
  • drinks: water, 100% fruit juice, lemonade, coffee, tea, alcohol (wine, white cider, beer with gluten-free grains)

Some of these products can substitute GC products. For example, rice and buckwheat flour are widely used for pasta cooking, as well as soy and rice can be used for the bakery.

In case you want to eat gluten-free, the basic principles are as follows:

  • Cook from raw products to ensure they do not contain gluten even in the smallest quantities.
  • Do not use semi-products and ready-made sauces as most of them contain gluten.
  • Put attention to the ingredients of sausages, yogurts with additives, ice cream, and dried fruits as they can contain gluten due to their processing for longer preservation.

Gluten Free Meal Delivery: Ease Your Meal Prep Routines to Eat Healthy

Yet, if cooking daily gluten-free meals is difficult for you, there is also a solution to how to maintain a GF diet without effort. Just order gluten-free meals in our gluten-free meal delivery! We cook the best recipes and adapt them to GF principles to provide people who need this type of nutrition with high-quality and tasty meals. We offer you to try them to consider the simplest way to maintain gluten-free eating in your family.