Gluten Free- Or Is It

Do you know what gluten is? Gluten is a protein composite in foods processed from wheat, barley and/or rye. It's also used as a filler in ketchup and ice cream. In vegan and vegetarian foods it's used as a meat substitute. It's even used in over the counter prescription vitamins and cosmetics such as lip stick, lip gloss, and lip balm. Even the glue on an envelope contains gluten.

So what does that mean to you? For most of us it means absolutely nothing but for those with an allergy or even a sensitivity to gluten it can mean a lifetime of confusion and adaption.

Do you know someone with an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or a disease called Ciliac Disease. No, Yes, Maybe, not sure. Can you imagine having to live your live constantly checking labels for gluten even at the cosmetics dept. And do you know that some countries don't even list gluten as an ingredient because gluten has been deemed a low risk.

Imagine learning you have Ciliacs Disease; which is an abnormal immune reaction to a component of gluten called gliaden. Where do you look, on the Internet, try sifting through all the information out there on gluten. And then try educating your family and friends on the disease and helping them to adjust as you yourself change your whole life around.

My Cousin has 2 kids that have sensitivities to gluten. It didn't really affect us much, we didn't spend a lot of time with them. But at the holiday gatherings it really hits home. They can't eat the stuffing, and they have to be careful what meat they chose and then there are the pies. I usually make the pies and the only ones they can eat are the ones that they can easily scoop the filling out of because they can't eat the crust. It breaks my heart to see that these young sweet kids are so limited at a family dinner because the rest of us haven't changed for them.

I mean how hard can it be? they can't eat wheat products but there are alternatives available. So instead of using store bought bread we may have to make our own buns and use them in the stuffing instead. We can substitute rice flour or potato flour for wheat flour. And instead of just throwing together the pie shell and filling I might actually have to make the pies from scratch. Yes it is a little bit more work then I've been used to but it will really be worth knowing that these kids can sit at my table and eat whatever they want without worry.

So if you do know someone it's not the end of the world just do your homework, plan your meals with them in mind, trust me most people won't even notice the substitutions. And yes it will still taste great.