Happy Halloween

Gluten Free Halloween Candy Day 3 Of 3

Tootsie Roll Industries, which also makes Charms products, says that, as of September 2016, all of the companies confections are gluten free except Andes cookies.  Tootsie does not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt, as part of the manufacturing process. 

Any questions contact Tootsie Roll at 1773-838-3400

As per Smarties, their line of candies are listed as vegan and gluten free.  To contact them, visit their website.

Gluten Free Halloween Candy Day 2 Of 3

Mars Chocolate makes M and M's, Dove, Snickers, and many others.  The company does not maintain a gluten free list, instead urges consumers to check labels and promises to list allergens, such as wheat, barley and rye on the label.

The following Mars Chocolate, are not gluten free:

• M&M pretzel flavor and some seasonal flavors
• Milky Way Bar
• Mars Bar
• Mars Combos snack mix

Any questions contact Mars at 1800-627-7852

Gluten Free Candy For Halloween Day 1 Of 3

Every year, it seems like more manufacturers are labeling candy as gluten free.  It makes it easier for kids with Celiac to have more choices, and not feel left out.  There are ones that are safe to eat and others not safe to eat.  The list is long, I will only list ones that contain gluten, to stay away from.

Most of the Hersheys products are gluten free with a few exceptions.
The following Hersheys products are NOT gluten free:

• Hershey's Special Dark Bar
• Hershey's Cookies N Cream Bar
• Hershey's Milk Chocolate Drops
• Hershey's Miniatures
• Mr. Goodbar
• Symphony Bar
• Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolate

Be sure to always read the labels to ensure product contains no gluten.  Hershey says it will list any ingredients containing wheat, barley, rye, oats, and malt on the label.  Their number is 1800-468-1714 for further questions.

Gluten Intolerant Pill

A tiny pill was developed to help Australians eat out without worry.  It is called GluteGuard, developed by Australian scientists, contains an enzyme found in the papaya fruit that guards against gluten.

Taken before a meal, it works to break down the gluten into tiny molecules so it is no longer toxic to the body.  It will pass the stomach and move to the small intestine where the enzyme is released.
This is important because the small intestine is where gluten causes the damage.

An estimated 1 in 10 Australian adults are gluten intolerant.  It is hoped that GluteGuard will benefit many, however it is not recommended as a substitute for a gluten free diet.

Quick Health Tips For People With Celiac

After being diagnosed with Celiac disease avoiding gluten is the most important factor in managing the disease.  There is a bit more for you to do.
Some suggestions are:

1. Check food labels carefully and avoid all foods containing gluten.  Check chapsticks, lipsticks, and toothpaste for gluten.  Some types contain gluten.

2.  See your doctor regularly to check for any vitamin deficiencies.  You may require supplements.

3. Work with a Registered Dietitian to make sure you are meeting your needs, and eating gluten free.

Some Lies About Gluten People Still Believe

When my son was diagnosed with Celiac disease, I felt sorry for his new lifestyle.  I kept thinking what kid doesn't want pizza or dunkin donuts.  What kid should worry if there will be something to eat at a party or friends house.  I thought, why would anyone chose this if they didn't have too.

Many people have jumped on the gluten free bandwagon, for no good reason.  Many people think it will help them, however they are most likely doing themselves no good.  Here are some of the biggest myths people still believe about the protein that gives wheat its power.

Teens With Celiac May Be Smaller Than Peers

There was a study done with more than 2 million teens who underwent medical exams over nearly 20 years also found that Celiac is being diagnosed more often now than in the past.

Celiac disease is an auto immune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.  Without following the proper gluten free diet, Celiac can lead to complications such as malnutrition, low bone density, lactose intolerance and infertility.

The new study clarifies that regardless of gluten free diet adherence, that final height are only marginally affected.  Girls with the disease averaged about a quarter inch shorter than their peers, as boys weighed less than their peers. After looking at other factors such as ethnic origin, and socioeconomic status, the differences in girls were no longer apparent and only boys with Celiac were found to be significantly smaller than their peers. 

Zucchini Muffins

Sharing a quick and easy muffin recipe.  It will make about 6 muffins and is also kid friendly.
They freeze well and taste yummy.

Servings: 6

• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1 1/4 cup gluten free all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup pecans (optional) or use chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
Mix flours, baking powder and soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl
In a large bowl mix oil with sugar adding an egg at a time with vanilla
Mix the dry into the wet and stir and fold in the zucchini and nuts
Do not over mix

Pour into greased muffin tins and bake about 35 to 40 minutes
Let cool and enjoy!!

Test Your Knowledge

Quick gluten free test

1.  Once you are feeling better, you can eat anything you want?
True or False

2.  All products that contain wheat need to be avoided.
True or False

3.  Food and medication labels contain complete gluten information?
True or False

4.  Which of the following can you eat on a gluten free diet?
(Select as many as apply)
A. Potato  B. White bread C. Pasta  D. Rice  E. Corn tortilla

One Day Sample Menu

Gluten free sample day

Breakfast
1 small banana 
4 ounces of juice
2 slices of gluten free toast with butter and jelly
1 cup of low fat Greek yogurt

Lunch
Turkey and cheese on whole grain gluten free bread
1 piece of fruit
Salad with oil and vinegar
1 pudding cup

Dinner
3-6 ounces of chicken, meat or fish
2/3 cup brown rice
vegetables
1 cup of low fat frozen yogurt gluten free

Quick Dining Out Tips

Here are some quick eating out tips to make eating out easy and enjoyable.  It will take some planning and looking ahead.

1.  If possible, meet with chef or manager regarding food preparation.

2. You may have more choices at a full service restaurant than at fast food restaurants.

3. Fresh fruit, raw vegetables and vegetable juices are good choices for appetizers.

4.  Choose plainly cooked meats, poultry and fish that are not breaded or fried.  Make sure ground beef is 100% beef.

Baking With Gluten Free Flour

Some helpful tips to baking with gluten free flour.

1.  Rice flour and cornmeal tend to have a grainy texture.  You can make a smoother texture by mixing the rice flour or cornmeal with the liquid called for in the recipe.  Bring this liquid to a boil.
Cool and then add the other ingredients.

2.  Always use soy flour with another type of flour, not as the only flour in a recipe.

3.  Longer baking times and lower temperatures are usually required, especially when the product is made without milk and/or eggs.

4.  When using coarse meals and flours in place of wheat flour, use 2 1/2 tsp. of baking powder for each cup of coarse flour to help the product rise.

5.  Keep muffins or biscuits small for better texture.

6.  Keep cakes moist by frosting and storing in closed containers.

Substitutes For Wheat Flour In Recipes

Here are a few suggestions for substituting wheat flour in your recipe.  Any one of the following may be substituted for 1 cup of wheat flour in recipes:
- 1 cup corn flour
- 3/4 cup coarse cornmeal
- 5/8 cup of potato flour
- 7/8 cup of rice flour
- 1 cup soy flour plus 1/2 cup potato flour
- 2/3 cup of rice flour plus 1/3 cup of potato starch flour plus 1/3 cup of tapioca flour
You may add 1 tsp. per cup xanthan gum for texture.

For thickening, 1 tablespoon of wheat flour many be replaced by 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch, potato flour, rice starch, or arrowroot, or 2 Tbsp. of quick cooking tapioca.

Tax Deduction For People With Celiac

If you or a dependent has Celiac disease  you might be eligible for a tax break.  You will need your grocery receipts for this.  The government agrees that you can claim the difference in price between gluten food and regular food.

What do you need to do.  You first need an official diagnosis of Celiac disease from a doctor that also states you need to follow a gluten free diet for your treatment.  As of now this is only for people with Celiac disease, not gluten intolerance.

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Genetics Behind Celiac Disease

Thirty to 40 percent of people in the US have one or both of the genes
called HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, which are the ones associated with Celiac
disease.  The National Institutes of Health says only about 3 percent
 of those with the genes actually get the disease.

The HLA molecules help decide whether your body will have an immune
 response. HLA molecules hole onto protein, foreign or not, and show it
to a deciding white blood cell, which then figures out whether to attack it
or not.  While the human body has many HLA molecules, the only ones
 that can bind onto gluten tightly are DQ2 and DQ8.

If a person tests negative for the genes this rules out ever having Celiac
 disease.  However testing positive for the genes does not mean you have
 the disease, a trigger is still needed to activate the disease in your body.

Should Your Relatives Be Tested For Celiac

Celiac disease is an inherited disease, which means genetics plays a role.  The chances of a first degree relative developing the disease is higher than the general population.  First degree relatives are children, parents and siblings of someone who has the disease.  This is why it is recommended that first degree relatives be screened for the disease.  There is also an increase among second degree relatives than the general population. 
Screening is done through blood tests that test for antibodies.  There is also the genetic test, if the gene is not present you can not develop the disease.  Now if the gene is present but antibodies negative, it is important to be aware that Celiac disease can develop at anytime.  You need to watch for symptoms and be screened for antibodies yearly.