I know everyone out there knows someone who can’t have gluten. Whether it be intolerance, allergy, or celiac, gluten is out to get us!! At least it wants those people who suffer from its wide host of symptoms, which can range anywhere from bloating like cow to slowing your mental processes and much, much more!!

I am by no means a doctor, I commend them for staying in school that damn long!!! Lord knows I was ready to get out after four years. Gee but back on topic.

If you have a gluten-induced ailment, you’ll know. For the rest of us out there, it seems like some foreign new fad word. But it can cause serious problems, that pesky little G fellow. But many people who aren’t suffering from symptoms or have an allergy just don’t know what everyone is talking about. So, let’s put on our thinking caps and tuck in for some good ole’ fashioned learning y’all.

#1 What is Gluten? It is a protein found in some food products, which can cause serious ailments in some individuals. The list of symptoms that can be gluten induced reads like the disclaimer in those hokey pharmaceuticals commercials.

#2 Which foods contain gluten? Well, they call them the Big 3! Wheat, barley, and rye. These are the sneaky devils that are everywhere. Sprinkling there glutenous brand of evil in foods you would never expect! For example, some spice blends are blended with flour to stretch the batch.

#3 Put on Your Reading Glasses! Nutrition labels will be read with a strict vengeance to make sure no gluten-harbingers have invaded the package. At least they would if you have a gluten intolerance. After working for several years at a gluten-free restaurant, I learned the best thing you can do is research. Research the heck out of it !! If you want to know more I have some resources below that never failed me during my search. 🙂

Books:

The Intolerant Gourmet: This is a great resource for those looking to adopt a gluten-free diet.

The Gluten Free Gourmet Series: This series is perfect for getting the home-style favorites you know and love to match your new dietary needs.

Culinary Institute of America Gluten-Free Baking: Amazing book for everything gluten-free pastry work.

Websites:

Glutenfreegoddess.com : This blog is an indispensible resource. The recipes I have used from this site have rarely failed me. There are tons of recipes and resources there, why wouldn’t you want to look!

celiac.org : This site will give you more information on ailments and dietary restrictions. Good stuff to know, yo!

Just go out there and look!!! I know the big, bad internet is scary, but you can always come back here.