Gluten-Free Food

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Most people can eat gluten without any problems. But some people have a condition called celiac disease that makes gluten harmful to them. These people need to eat gluten-free food to stay healthy. Today, there are many delicious gluten-free options available.

What Is Gluten

Gluten is a stretchy protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is what makes bread dough elastic and helps it rise. Gluten is in many common foods like bread, pasta, cereal, and cookies. For most people, gluten is perfectly safe to eat. But for people with celiac disease, eating gluten damages the lining of their small intestine and makes it hard to absorb nutrients.

Gluten-Free Options

Many foods are naturally gluten-free, including rice, potatoes, corn, fruits, and vegetables. Meat, fish, and eggs are also gluten-free. Today, stores sell gluten-free bread, pasta, and snacks made with alternative flours like rice flour or almond flour. Reading food labels is important for people avoiding gluten because it can hide in surprising foods like soy sauce and some candy.

Fun Facts

• About 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac disease.
• Rice is naturally gluten-free and is a staple food for billions of people.
• Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are often processed in factories that also handle wheat.

Did You Know?

Celiac disease was first described by a Greek doctor over 2,000 years ago, but it was not understood until the 1950s when a Dutch doctor figured out that wheat was the cause!