Gluten Free Menus: How far do they stretch?

What is Gluten?  It is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.  When combined with water, it becomes elastic and stretchy.  When cooked, it becomes firm and chewy.

What foods contain Gluten?  Wheat, Barley and Rye  Less common grains like spelt, triticale, farro, kamut and einkorn

Which foods don’t contain gluten?  ALL fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten free.  ALL dairy products are naturally gluten free.  ALL meats, poultry and fish are naturally gluten free.  Rice, oats, corn, sorghum, millet, amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa are naturally gluten free, but may be contaminated during processing.

Why is it a problem for some people?  Intolerance or sensitivity  Disease  Allergy

What is an intolerance?  Occur when a person has difficulty digesting a particular food.  Involves the digestive system only  Causes gas, pain or diarrhea  Not life threatening

What is an allergy?  Involves the immune system  Can be serious or life threatening  Even a microscopic amount of an allergen can be dangerous  Can lead to anaphylaxix

What is Celiac Disease?  An autoimmune disease  Gluten causes the body to attack the small intestine  Diagnosed with a biopsy  Can only be controlled through diet  Even a small crumb from a toaster can cause damage in the intestine.

Cross Contamination  Take it seriously!  Meals for those with Celiac Disease and gluten allergies MUST have be completely gluten free!

Avoid these grains!  Wheat, durum wheat, spelt, kamut, farro, triticale  Dextrin, Wheat Starch, Wheat Bran, Soy Sauce  semolina, couscous, bulgur  Barley  Malt (made from sprouted barley) - found in beer, malt beverages and some sweeteners  Rye ➔ Oats (if packaged in a facility that also processes wheat)

Eat these grains!  Rice  Corn  Oats (if labeled Gluten Free)  Quinoa  Buckwheat  Wild rice, sorghum, teff and millet

How is gluten free food different than regular food?  Most gluten free food IS regular food!  Baked good, pasta, some seasoning and batter dipped foods contain gluten  Gluten free baked goods and pastas are available  do not contain gluten  different texture  cost more  limited shelf life - they get stale very quickly  store in freezer or in air tight packaging at room temperature

Diet options offered by Premier  Gluten Free Lifestyle  Gluten Free

Gluten Free Lifestyle  Less restrictive.  Purchased gluten free products.  Foods produced in the Atrium kitchen that are not made with any gluten containing ingredients.

Gluten Free  Very restrictive  Purchased, prepared, prepackaged foods  Foods from the Atrium kitchen are not allowed unless approved by the clinical staff.

What if...  If a patient needs a special diet AND a gluten free diet, they will be given the appropriate gluten free menu with items that do not fit into their special diet marked off.

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