Gluten-free and comfortable - C-Ville Weekly

When a diet gets a lot of hype, it's easy to write it off as a fad, but a gluten-free diet is a lifestyle. Once only a prescription for celiac patients (people who cannot tolerate the gluten protein found in wheat, rye and barley), people with a range of sensitivities are eating gluten-free and finally finding relief from debilitating digestive issues, headaches and depression—among other afflictions.

Brett Baker, 23, has suffered from digestive issues since childhood, but her complaints went unheard by doctors. A nutritionist finally recommended an elimination diet followed by the re-introduction of food groups one by one. Lactose, raw veggies and protein caused no discomfort, but after eating a piece of toast one morning, she knew by lunch time that gluten was the culprit.

"I had gone all these years thinking it was just the way I was made—to be in pain after eating," she said. "I had a honeymoon phase with being gluten-free where I felt so thankful to feel normal after a meal that I wanted to tell everyone I knew."

Baker thinks there's a misconception that eating gluten-free is super-limiting. "You can still eat potatoes, rice and buckwheat. I can bring my own gluten-free bun if I'm invited to a cookout and my own soy sauce if we're eating sushi," she said.

And, with one in 133 people having a gluten intolerance, there are now entire grocery store aisles devoted to gluten-free products (Baker likes Kroger's selection) and many restaurants offering gluten-free options. "Brixx can make any of their pizzas with a gluten-free crust—they sure have gotten some business from me!" said Baker.—Megan Headley

Diner's choices

Gluten seems to be in just about everything from salad dressing to lasagna. Here are a few helpful tips if you are trying find food sans gluten.

At the restaurant:

• Many restaurants offer gluten-free menu items. When in doubt, ask to speak to a manager.
• Call ahead to determine what gluten-free menu items are available. The standard meat and veggie dish is usually a safe bet.
• Be prepared. Knowing what foods and additives contain gluten will help you spot them in unexpected places and will aid any discussion you may need to have with a busy chef. Glutenfreeinfo.com is a good place to start.
• Bring along some tried and true gluten-free snacks for young children and yourself in case you need to wait longer for a special meal to be made.

At the store:

• Labels can be deceiving, as there may be some gluten present in packaged food despite having a gluten-free designation. The FDA is pretty lax on gluten-free standards, so it is best to check a trusted source for gluten content in most foods.
• Many grocery and all health food stores will be well stocked with gluten-free products. Make a list and find some surprisingly tasty baked goods, pasta and other alternatives to the gluten-filled varieties.

Living gluten-free? Rebecca's Natural Food, Integral Yoga, Relay Foods, Market Street Market, Revolutionary Soup, MAS, Chap's, Sal's Pizza, The Flat and Savour are among the local options for GF menu items.—Christy Baker

11 Oct, 2011

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