Day 2 Of 2 Facts About Celiac Disease You May Not Know

Here are some more facts about Celiac disease you may not know, or may surprise you.

7.  About 83% of Americans with the disease are still suffering without a diagnosis.  With an estimate of 3 million people
affected and less than 500,000 diagnosed, there is a need to raise awareness for diagnosis and treatment.

8.  The later the age of diagnosis, the greater the chance of developing another autoimmune disorder. 
Age of diagnosis           Chance of developing another autoimmune disorder
2-4                                        10.5%
4-12                                      16.7%
12-20                                    27%
20 and up                              34%

Day 1 of 2 Facts About Celiac Disease You May Not Know

There are many people jumping on the gluten free wagon, without knowing if they have a gluten intolerance or actually have Celiac disease.  Many people do not realize how prevalant and how underdiagnosised Celiac disease is.  Over the next few days I will go over some facts many do not know or realize.

1.  There are over 300 known symptoms of Celiac disease.  Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose because it affects people differently.  In fact, some people with the disease have no symptoms at all.

Meal Planning For People With Celiac Dinner Choices

Today I will  list a few healthy dinner ideas, gluten free and well balanced.  Having Celiac disease takes planning as I have said, and a lot of label reading.  So here are some great dinner ideas.

Meal Planning for People With Celiac Lunch Choices

Today I will go over some healthy gluten free lunch ideas.  I find the best way to eat healthy and gluten free is to bring your lunch to school or work.  You never have to worry about cross contamination or if your choice is truly gluten free.  You must plan, shop and prepare ahead of time for the week.  Here are some healthy balanced lunches.

Meal Planning For People With Celiac Breakfast Choices

Having to eat gluten free can be a challenge.  You should  eat healthy foods to make sure you get in all the vitamins and minerals you need.  You must  plan healthy meals, and learn to read labels.  Eating healthy and balanced is important to prevent any deficiencies.  Today I  will give you sample breakfasts that are gluten free and healthy.

Celiac Mom R.D.: Gluten Free Banana Bread

Celiac Mom R.D.: Gluten Free Banana Bread: This yummy banana bread recipe I have been using for years. It can be made with gluten free flour or regular flour.  Everywhere I bring this...

Almonds

Vitamin A Deficiency

The United States National Institutes of Health recommends testing vitamin A levels in people with Celiac disease at time of diagnosis.
This is because vitamin A deficiency is common in celiac due to incomplete digestion, absorption and metabolism.

So how does this  develop in people with Celiac disease, some due to upper digestive problems, such as low stomach acid.  If there is a protein deficiency there could be an impairment of vitamin A absorption.  Finally, the liver cannot mobilize stored vitamin A to maintain adequate blood levels when blood protein and zinc levels are low.
Vitamin A deficiency can persist or develop after diagnosis if the new gluten free diet does not include adequate amounts of vitamin A, protein, zinc and fat.

Unlikely Sources Of Gluten

Gluten hides in many different places, here are some very unlikely suspects.  I will list a few and you may be surprised. 

1.  Medication and supplements- Gluten may be used to bind pills together.  So when looking for vitamins and medications, check and make sure they are gluten free.

Cross Contaimination

I have touched on this subject before, for Celiac people this is important and often overlooked.  It is something many people don't know or think about, when it comes to gluten free.  It is also one of the main reasons people still feel sick within the first few months of adhering to a strict gluten free diet.

When you have Celiac disease you think about cross contamination all the time, people often don't realize how this can make you feel sick.  Long gone are the days of just running into a store for a snack.  Life is about preparing and always carrying a safe food in case you feel hungry. 

Celiac Disease Genes

I started this blog with the intention of educating as many people as I could on Celiac disease and its diet that follows.  Today I will just focus on the gene. I will list some facts that many people do not know. There are many cases where the disease runs through a whole family, and others that there is just one case, and no one knows where it came from. 

1.  Celiac is a genetic disease.  This means you either have the HLA-DQ2 or the HLA-DQ8 gene.  You get this gene from a parent even though they may not have Celiac disease.  So before you go through any testing a simple blood test will determine if you have the gene. 
2. 95% of the people with Celiac have the HLA-DQ2 gene were as only 5% have the HLA-DQ8 gene.

Day 7 Of 7 Super Fruits

There are so many super fruits, in my eyes all fruits are super in their own ways.  Today I will touch
upon the rare but healthy dragon fruit.  I will do this hoping someone will go out and try one as I did.

Some facts about the dragon fruit.
1. The taste has been described as being bland, like a melon or kiwi with a mild sweetness.

2. In Taiwan, diabetics use this fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a source of fiber.

3. Dragon fruit contains the antioxidant phyto albumins, they help prevent the formation of cancer
cells.

Day 6 Of 7 Super Fruits

Happy Monday to all.  Today the super fruit is the yummy red strawberry.  At the store yesterday I was so happy to see these berries, they were large, sweet and looked so delicious.  They are a super fruit for sure, I will go over why.

First some nutritional information, they are about 50 calories per cup of halved strawberries, with 3 grams of fiber.  Many fruits are valuable sources of antioxidants, but researchers have recently ranked the 50 highest foods and found strawberries to be ranked 27th.  They contain vitamin C, manganese, fiber, iodine, folate, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, biotin, omega 3, and vitamin B6.  That's an impressive list. 

Day 5 Of 7 Superfruits

The super fruit of the day is the orange,  juicy, sweet and known for its high levels of vitamin C.  Oranges make the perfect snack and is one of the most popular fruits in the world.  Oranges are available from winter through summer with many different variaties available.  Oranges are usually about 60 calories and low on the glycemic index.  Oranges contain vitamin C, fiber, folate, vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, and potassium. 

Health benefits of eating oranges are many, I will list a few of them.

1.  Helps prevent cancer- oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of cancer including skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.

2. Prevents kidney disease- drinking orange juice in small amounts helps reduce kidney disease and reduces the risk of kidney stones.

3. Since oranges are high in fiber, they are helpful in lowering cholesterol.

Day 4 Of 7 Super Fruits

So todays super fruit is the Pomegranate.  We often see this strange pretty colored fruit, however wonder how in the world do we eat them.  We ask do we swallow the seeds, or just eat the juicy sac around the seed.  I do remember eating them as a child, felt they were a lot of work and messy, but as a super fruit it might be worth it.  Per cup of juicy seeds there is about 140 calories, with 2 grams of fat. They are among the healthiest fruits around.  I will go over some of the super benefits of this fruit.

Day 3 Of 7 Super Fruits

With spring in the air, todays super fruit is the watermelon.  Who doesn't love watermelon.  Its peak season is
August, but sometimes you can find it in some sort all year round.  Watermelon is a good source of vitamin C and A. It
also contains a phytochemical called lycopene that helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers
making it a standout summer fruit.  Surprisingly, watermelon is also a fair source of iron with 2% of your daily
value in 1 cup.  It contains about 50 calories per cup, and is 91% water. 

There are many different types and colors of this yummy super fruit.  Enjoy watermelon slices grilled for a more
caramelized flavor or toss cubes of melon with feta cheese and mint for a great gluten free salad.
So as spring and summer are soon to arrive, get your hands on this great super fruit.

Day 2 Of 7 Super Fruits

So being super Tuesday, the fruit I picked is the blueberry.  It is one of the most popular fruits, and contains many vitamins and antioxidants.  So why is the blueberry a super fruit you ask.  I will list some of the benefits of this tiny blue fruit.

After  many years of research, studies have concluded there are many benefits of eating blueberries.
It has a positive effect on the nervous system, brain health and possible improved memory.  They are loaded with antioxidants, and are low on the Glycemic index. One cup of blueberries has 84 calories,  with vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, fiber, and copper.