The Square Life

You see the phrase “gluten-free” on your food wrapper, but what does that really mean? Should you be more aware of gluten in your food? About two million people in America avoid gluten in their food intake because if they don’t, they could be damaging their digestive system—and malnourishing their bodies.

This gluten allergy is also known as Celiac Disease. When a person diagnosed with this disease consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, that individual’s immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and preventing important nutrients from getting into the body.
The only treatment is a gluten-free diet. Sounds simple, right? But gluten is actually found in breads, pastas, cookies, salad dressings, and many other foods that we eat every day. A diagnosis of Celiac Disease does not mean one must only eat bland gluten-free bread from the store. Erin Meyers, a junior at BYU from Newburg, Oregon, says her mom has adapted her cooking to a gluten-free diet: “Most of the stuff you can’t tell is gluten-free because it’s so good.” All you need is a different type of flour and a little bit of experimentation.

So how can you help out your friends who are diagnosed with Celiac Disease? The best way is to ask them about what they can eat, get educated, and try to provide foods that fit the description.