The CeliAct Blog

You know to order your burrito sans tortilla. You check the ingredients on food packages. You know soy sauce is typically suspect and you eat your sandwiches on gluten-free bread. You even know which restaurant chains serve gluten-free food. So why, then, are you still having symptoms of being “glutened”? It’s time to take a look at where you might be getting accidentally exposed to hidden gluten. Here are three immediate steps you should take to avoid cross-contamination… – Use a separate toaster (or Toast-It bags).Placing your thoroughly gluten-free bread in a shared toaster exposes it to crumbs of gluten that have been baked onto the metal elements of the toaster from previous uses. This […]

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We previously discussed the importance of starches in gluten-free baking. Although starch-heavy flours are the least nutritious of the gluten-free flours on the market, starch is critical to providing the texture necessary for many gluten-free foods. Gluten-free home bakers are familiar with starches such as corn, arrowroot, potato and tapioca starches. But what does it mean when your favorite packaged product lists the vague mystery ingredient “modified food starch?” Celiacs rightly tend to avoid any ingredient that is ambiguous in its gluten-free status. As with the gluten-free status of alcohol, rumors abound in the gluten-free world as to the gluten-free status of modified food starch. Let’s take a look at what this ingredient really is. […]

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Traditional beers aren’t an option when you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Most beers, whether you’re a fan of an American-style beer or a dark stout, are made from barley or wheat. Lucky for us, a few major companies and a number of microbreweries now offer gluten-free beer, enabling you to have one while you watch the game, enjoy a summer picnic or indulge in your favorite gluten-free pizza. What’s the status of the booming gluten-free beer market? We’ve gone ahead and “researched” the various offerings (and had plenty of fun while doing it!). We’re happy to present you with our findings on the various big-name brands, as well as the less-known beers that […]

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Everybody knows which foods are no-no’s on a gluten-free diet… or do they? Pasta, bread, cookies, cakes and pizza are obviously verboten. Many people new to the gluten-free lifestyle are confident they are eating a gluten-free diet by avoiding the most obvious foods that contain gluten. If they’re choosing a salad instead of a slice of pizza at the Italian restaurant, and preparing grilled fish, potatoes and vegetables at home instead of chicken pot pie, it seems like they must be doing a perfectly grand job of complying with a gluten-free diet. What they may not realize is that gluten is hiding in many surprising places that even knowledgeable gluten-free folks might be missing. – […]

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This is a guest article, written by Cynthia Henrich. It was originally written on her website, Holistic Health Insider. When you first head down the road of defining a possible issue with gluten, it’s like entering a new dimension. And you also need to learn a new vocabulary to navigate that world. You’ve been lucky enough to find a doctor who is associating your potentially varied symptoms with celiac disease, and now you need to be concerned about how your lab results are being analyzed, or you may be given a mistakenly clean bill of health. In order to achieve what physicians call the “gold standard” of a celiac disease diagnosis, an endoscopy must be […]

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Whether you’re gluten-free or not, menu planning (or meal planning) saves money and time. But when you have celiac disease, menu planning is even more important as proper diet and nutrition are so important for your long term health. Planning meals ahead of time can help you to make better food choices and achieve your health goals. You should menu plan whether you’re single and working full time or feeding a family on a gluten-free diet. Include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on your plan or keep your menu simple by eating the same basic breakfasts and lunches for a week and planning out your dinner. Use your completed menu to make grocery lists, get […]

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While no one’s claiming fast food is ideal, sometimes you need to eat on the run, whether you’re traveling, out with a crowd or just short on time. You can get a safe gluten-free meal at the drive-through, but you’ll need to be extra careful, choose your restaurant well, and ask questions. Here are my thoughts on 10 different fast food chains, from my own experience and from what I’ve heard from others who are gluten-free. Some you won’t have in your neck of the woods, but most are well-recognized across the country.   Fast Food Options: Which Have the Best Gluten-Free Menus? Wendy’s has a gluten-free menu, including bunless burgers, salads, baked potatoes and […]

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Our recent blog post on low-glycemic gluten-free diets had some of you reconsidering the healthiness of your gluten-free diets. If you’re interested in reducing the impact of your meals on your blood glucose, let’s take things to the next level – dinner! What will the main meal of the day look like when you’re eating a low-glycemic gluten-free diet? Here are some dinner recipes to help you enjoy a delicious and filling meal without all those blood sugar spikes and crashes that can leave you feeling wiped out. – Hearty Chicken Cannellini Stew (Serves 4)   2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ½ large onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 15 oz canned, diced tomatoes, […]

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Alcoholic drinks have been part of human culture and social activities for nearly as long as humans have existed on earth. For the celiac who wants to enjoy a beer or a mixed drink at a dinner party or at the bar, the many myths and misunderstandings about the presence of gluten in alcohol can be discouraging. Let’s set things straight by clearing up some myths about gluten and alcohol.   Myth or Fact? All beer is off-limits for celiacs. MYTH. Most beer is off-limits for celiacs, as it is made from gluten-containing wheat or barley and not refined enough to remove the gluten protein from the final product. Celiacs should avoid all mainstream beers, […]

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Rice flour and rice flour mixes are typically the first flour substitutes a novice gluten-free baker discovers. White rice flour is readily available and well-known as a gluten-free flour alternative. However, a heavy dependence on rice flour leaves us with little in the form of nutrition and taste. There is good news though. As we have previously explored, there are many other gluten-free flour options available, including flours that are far more nutritious and flavorful than white rice flour. In addition to a variety of flours made from whole grains that are higher in fiber and antioxidants, there are also “flours” made from various types of nuts. Also referred to as “nut meals,” nut flours […]

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Packing lunches for kids requires making a gluten-free meal that can survive the morning, doesn’t require a microwave, and, most of all, will actually be eaten. Just to make it more difficult, kids may be picky or worried about what their friends will think about their gluten-free lunches. Here are a few tips to pack your gluten-free lunches so that the kids will love ‘em, and you will too. – A Good Lunchbox is Key for Gluten-Free Meals   Every gluten-free kid needs a good lunchbox. The standard box is designed for a sandwich and sides and may not be well-suited for gluten-free meals. So, choose a box with separate containers with secure lids to […]

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Gluten-free diets may be the hottest thing around for weight loss, but as at least some of us know, going gluten-free is no guarantee of a slimmer and trimmer figure. In fact, recent studies have shown that 39 percent of adults diagnosed with celiac disease are overweight, with 13 percent of those falling into the obese category according to body mass index. Many of you could eat whatever you wanted pre-diagnosis and you would remain as thin as a stick. This was due to malabsorption and an unhealthy gut, and does not indicate that you have the metabolism of a growing teenager! Here are 6 tips to help you put the “diet” back in gluten-free […]

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Here at CeliAct, we’re all about “beyond gluten-free”. While you need to follow a gluten-free diet, you need to go beyond the gluten-free diet and do more for your health. When you go grocery shopping, the need to find gluten-free food is so monumentally important, that most other concerns go out the door. You may be pleased with a product once you’re done scanning the label for those dreaded ingredients that force you to put it down. When you deem something to be gluten-free, often other health standards are tossed aside. Well, gluten-free isn’t enough anymore. We need to eat healthier diets, and it starts with a basic understanding of something called the glycemic index. […]

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Gluten-free breakfast at home is easy. You can opt for fresh fruit, gluten-free pancakes, waffles or easy old-favorites like eggs with many different things mixed in. Gluten-free cereals are widely available, both in health food stores and even in your everyday grocery store. Unfortunately, taking your eggs to go or packing up your cereal to eat in the office isn’t always practical. Since the drive-through isn’t an option and you can’t grab a scone with your morning coffee, these breakfasts can be made ahead of time, eaten without much in the way of a plate or utensils, and will provide you with a punch of protein and fiber to start your day. Now we’ve always […]

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An all-too-common tactic among doctors and dietitians is to “motivate” you to stick to your gluten-free diet by scaring the bejeezus out of you. “If you don’t stop eating bread,” they often say, “your intestine will suffer and your bones will be weaker in the long-run.” It’s time to add a ray of positivity to things by reminding you of the amazing benefits you reap when you adopt a no-nonsense 100% gluten-free diet. – More Energy: Many people with celiac disease report that they feel sluggish and tired. With a host of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, this is common. But when you stop eating gluten, your body eventually bounces back and you have more energy to do […]

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