One Stop Health Centre

Gluten free foods are making their way to mainstream. Soon you will be seeing more and more gluten free breads, desserts, etc. which will be made from gluten free grains.

What’s so Wrong with Gluten?

Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Gluten is one of the most complex proteins consumed by man and has a very large molecule that is hard for your digestive system to break down.

The problems start when gluten enters your small intestine.

If you are very sensitive or gluten intolerant, gluten can actually tear holes in the lining of your gut. This produces problems like leaky gut syndrome and allergic responses by your immune system.

When your intestines are damaged this impairs your ability to absorb nutrients from food that you consume. Serious health problems could result as well as becoming malnourished.

Grains that do not have gluten are rice, corn, quinoa, tapioca, buckwheat, millet, teff, amaranth, sorghum, and pure oats.

Since wheat, rye, and barley are grains that naturally contain gluten, eating oats that have been processed in the same plants as these grains will be cross contaminated with gluten.

All these wheat products and wheat grains contain gluten. Einkorn, farro, seitan, matza, bulgar, spelt, wheat bran, wheat berry, wheat germ, graham, farina, couscous, udon, and wheat grass.

What are Common Gluten Intolerance Symptoms You can Spot?

Some of the symptoms of gluten intolerance are bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, casein intolerance, fat in the stools, weight loss, weight gain, aching joints, cramps, tingling and numbness, depression, headaches, irritability, skin rashes, itchy skin, irregular menstrual cycles, and slowed child growth.

Gliadin which is a protein found in gluten can trigger a full on immune system response in people with Celiac disease whenever gluten is consumed. People with Celiac disease are very gluten intolerant.

This inflammation flattens the lining of your small intestine and impedes your small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

This is a fairly common disease and will usually be found with other family members. Continuing with the consumption of gluten while having this disease could create even more diseases.

A strict gluten free diet is the only way you can fix this disease.

A Remarkable and Ancient Gluten Free Grain is Quinoa

You’ll find lysine in quinoa which is a amino acid and quinoa is also higher in protein than most grains.

Most grains are deficient in this essential amino acid.

This amino acid is needed for the absorption of minerals such as calcium and for muscle building.

Important amino acids like lysine are needed to produce your body’s enzymes and hormones.

Quinoa is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids.

Gluten Free Food Tips

Gluten free desserts can be created thanks to gluten free flours. You can make all the pies, cakes, and cookies you want, but I’d get educated about the gluten free flours first. You usually have to mix a few of them together to create the right texture.

Natural Gluten free foods are whole dairy products, meats and poultry, fish and seafood, nuts, beans, eggs, fruits and vegetables.

As you can see, gluten is primarily a problem when you consume grains and unfortunately the additives added to most processed foods contain some form of gluten.

For additional information from this author about this subject , check out Gluten Free Foods. For useful Healthy Eating Guidelines, visit Destination Healthy Foods.

If cold pumpkin soup sounds a little strange to you, you are not alone. Lots of people in the US have never encountered this cool, smooth treat, but they are missing out. If you have only every had pumpkin soup at Thanksgiving, you have never really experienced it. There are all kinds of soups from all over the world that you need to try.

Pumpkin soup is a real taste treat, even if the idea of an orange soup seems a little strange. Many people have never even tried the more common hot pumpkin bisque that is often made for Thanksgiving. However, if you have not had sweet, delicious cold pumpkin soup yet, you are missing out on a really delicious experience.

Serve up your favorite pumpkin soup in bowls or mugs, cook it right in the pumpkin, or hollow out a pumpkin to serve as centerpiece and serving dish, too. Garnish with green onion, chopped parsley, or sweet spices like cloves and cinnamon. While your family might start out skeptical, they will end up loving this unique dish.

Pumpkin soups are not just creamy and tasty enough to make you come back for more. They are also packed full of vitamins A and C, iron, fiber and many other important nutrients. You will not feel like you have to virtuously eat your vegetables when you make pumpkin soup, however. Even the kids will love it.

Try Thai and Indonesian-inspired easy cold pumpkin soup that adds coconut and carrot, for a rich and exotic treat that’s excellent for those last hot days of late summer, when the pumpkins are coming into the market, but the temperature hasn’t cooled down yet. If you would like to enjoy this soup when pumpkins are not in season, frozen or canned puree can do the trick.

The ideal type of pumpkin to use in a soup of this kind is the smaller kind, often called a pie pumpkin or sugar pumpkin. Do not make the mistake of using the kind you would give the kids to carve up on Halloween. Pie pumpkins are specially bred for eating, not looks, and will be sweeter, smaller, and more tender than their bigger, woodier cousins will. Prep these pumpkins for cooking by slicing them in half and removing the seeds, then chop them into wedges.

Then, peel the pumpkin and compost the parings or save them for soup stock. Alternatively, boil or bake the pumpkin wedges to soften the flesh, and then scoop it right out of the skin once the pieces have cooled down. It is easier than peeling. You might want to mash or blend the pulp after cooking, no matter which method you use.

Include alliums like onions and garlic, rich dairy, soy, or coconut milks, and sweet spices for a fantastic soup. Use vegetable or chicken broth to add extra flavor, and blend the whole soup partially or completely for the desired texture. Some prefer their soup velvety smooth, while others would rather have a few small pieces to add interest. Whichever you prefer, all you have to do afterward is chill and serve!

Every delicious pumpkin soup recipe should have its day. There are so many of them, you could eat pumpkin almost every night while it is in season without repeating any. Try some soon… your family will be amazed at the delicious soup you can make from this lowly vegetable.