Have you been hearing many people telling “I am on a gluten sensitivity diet” too often lately? So you must now be wondering what is this buzz about “gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance”?
Well, going on a gluten free diet have more or less become a trend among the masses, for the given reason of the increase in the number of people suffering from gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance. Hence, there has been an increase in awareness regarding gluten intolerance.
So lets check now what do you mean by being subjected to gluten intolerance?
What is gluten and gluten intolerance?
Gluten is a protein present in cereal grains, especially, wheat that is responsible for the elastic texture of the dough.
Gluten intolerance is a spectrum of disorders, including celiac disease and wheat allergy, in which gluten has an adverse effect on the body.
It seems that most of the people, 99 percent, which are gluten sensitive, do not even know that they have it.
So how can you assure you are gluten sensitive? What are the symptoms of gluten intolerance? Read further and check it out…
Symptoms of Gluten-Intolerance
Here is a checklist of signs of gluten intolerance to help you recognize if you are sensitive to gluten.
- Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation are prominent among most of them. Constipation is observed particularly in children after eating gluten. So if you are facing these gastric problems regularly, go for a gluten sensitivity test
- Keratosis Pilaris is a condition characterized by the appearance of rough, slightly red, bumps on the skin, often on the back and outer sides of the arm. If these symptoms persist, then condition of gluten intolerance is indicated.
- Feeling exhausted after eating a meal containing gluten is one the most common gluten sensitivity symptom.
- Neurologic symptoms such as fatigue and other cognitive problems as to loss of focus, headache (migraine headache), lack of concentration, all these indicate signs of gluten intolerance.
- Many young women nowadays suffer from hormonal imbalance, disorders such as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or unexplained infertility. Sometimes reasons for such indications are not explained in spite of all your reproductive organs and factors doing well. Hence, go for a gluten intolerance test because being gluten sensitive may give you rise to such disorders.
- Chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, sleeps problems, and painful tender points or trigger points at certain parts of the body may indicate gluten intolerance.
- Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints, anemia, tingling sensation in extremities such as fingers may be due to being sensitive to gluten.
- Mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, unable to manage stress are also common of symptoms of being gluten sensitive.
Self Check
If you are unsure whether you have gluten intolerance, then try to avoid gluten foods for 2-3 weeks and then resume. Gluten is a complex substance, and it takes a long time to clear away from your body, so the more time you give before resuming it, the better. If you feel much better after this no consumption period of foods containing gluten, it indicates that you are prone being gluten sensitive.
How to Go on Gluten-Free Diet ?
If you choose to go gluten-free, then you need to avoid these three grains: wheat, barley and rye. You’ll have no problem with rice, corn, millet, quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat since they are naturally gluten-free food. You’ll also be fine with vegetables, fruits, beans, milk, etc.
Make sure you read the labels on the food products you buy to know what all ingredients are present in it cause even traces of gluten in it can be provoking. There is a higher chance of contamination of gluten into several foods available in the market such as soy sauce, beer etc, Hence, it is very important for you to check and make sure what your buying and consuming.
You may opt for oats in supplement to wheat that is equally healthy. While dining out too, cuisines such as Indian, Mexican and Middle Eastern can be good options since they usually have many offerings and variety of foods that are naturally gluten-free.
To find more on what to eat and what not to, with the list of gluten-free foods, check out our next article on Gluten-Free Foods.
So coming to the conclusion, hope you have well understood all about gluten intolerance. You can freely ask your queries or put forth your suggestions in the comments section below.
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