Gluten-Free Living

Awareness of gluten-free living is on the rise — and as a result, you'll find more gluten-free choices than ever in Giant Eagle^® stores. You might choose to live gluten-free for a variety of reasons. Common reasons someone might keep a gluten-free lifestyle include:

Individuals suffering from celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that causes the lining of the small intestine to destroy itself when gluten-containing products are consumed, must avoid all products containing wheat and wheat derivatives. Failure to do so can result in an inability to absorb nutrients from food, which causes illnesses like anemia, osteoporosis and further complications.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, up to one percent of Americans may suffer from celiac disease.
People who are allergic to wheat must seek dietary carbohydrates from other foods and may therefore follow a gluten-free diet.
Individuals with diabetes may seek to control the total amount of carbohydrates they consume. A gluten-free diet that reduces overall carbohydrate intake is one way to achieve this. Many gluten-free recipes feature low-carbohydrate ingredients such as meats, eggs and fresh vegetables.
People who are following low-carbohydrate diets may seek certain lower-carbohydrate recipes and products. Some of these are also gluten-free.

Food considerations for gluten-free living
Lifestyle considerations for gluten-free living
Giant Eagle^® resources

Food considerations for gluten-free living

Gluten-free living requires you to make-over your diet. Reading labels carefully will help you tremendously. Consult your doctor and follow these guidelines:

The FDA defines "gluten" as products containing or derived from wheat. In addition, individuals on gluten-free diets cannot eat products containing rye, barley, spelt, and certain kinds of oats that have been produced alongside wheat in factories.
Cereals can present a challenge if you are avoiding gluten. Check for wheat, malt, barley, and rye on the label. Giant Eagle^® carries gluten-free cereals that you can safely consume. Some cereals made from corn or rice make great breakfast choices, too — as long as they do not contain wheat or wheat derivatives. Ask your doctor or dietician for a complete list of safe-to-consume cereals.
Baked goods are typically no-no's, as most are made from wheat. Visit your Giant Eagle^® Bakery for sweet, gluten-free alternatives to your favorite baked goods.
If you're following a gluten-free diet, you should not eat most pasta, because it's made with enriched wheat. However, you can still enjoy rice noodles (available in the Asian Foods aisle of your local Giant Eagle^®) — as well as delicious rice dishes like risotto. Want more side-dish ideas? Check out our "Gluten-Free Sides Guide".
Incorporate naturally gluten-free foods into your diet. Examples include potatoes, quinoa, fresh produce, beans, and sunflower seeds.
Avoid malted beverages such as beer and malted milk mix. Certain types of flavored milk may also contain gluten.
Check labels for food preparation ingredients containing gluten. If an item is breaded (such as breaded frozen shrimp or fried chicken), or the ingredient panel contains words like "starch," "emulsifier" or "flour," you should not consume it.

Lifestyle considerations for gluten-free living

These lifestyle considerations can help you adhere to a gluten-free diet with greater ease.

Supplement your diet with a complete multivitamin to ensure that you are getting a full day's supply of the nutrients you might miss by avoiding gluten-containing foods.
Check with your Giant Eagle^® pharmacist to make sure that all vitamins, supplements and any other medications you need contain gluten-free casings. Review our list of gluten-free vitamins and supplements to choose items that are right for you.
Keep a gluten-free food prep area. To keep your kitchen safe for gluten-free food prep, you must designate specific cookware, utensils, towels, serving-ware, toasters, cutting boards, and other items exclusively for gluten-free cooking. Dishwashing items, including sponges and scrubbers, must also be used only on gluten-free cookware. Otherwise, cross-contamination may occur.

(Editor's note: These rules are vital to individuals with celiac disease and wheat allergies, but may not apply to individuals following gluten-free diets for other reasons. Always consult your physician.)
To learn more about gluten-free living, and determine which products are right for you, contact Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist, or book an appointment with a Giant Eagle^® registered dietitian. As always, consult your doctor for guidelines on gluten-free living that are right for your medical needs.

Giant Eagle^® resources

Giant Eagle^® Gluten-Free Foods
"Learning More About Celiac Disease"
"Meeting the Gluten-Free Challenge" by Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist

Sources

National Institutes of Health: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse — Celiac Disease
(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac)

U. S. Department of Agriculture: National Agricultural Library
(http://www.nal.usda.gov/)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(http://www.fda.gov)

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, Web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems.