4/25/07  I’ll be sending you to several sources of information on the gluten free diet. There are differences, but the experts agree on these points:

• The gluten free diet is the only accepted treatment for celiac disease or dermatis-herpetiformis (d-h). A lifelong commitment to the diet is necessary

• The goal of the gluten free diet is to totally eliminate all gluten. People on a gluten free diet are not trying to “cut down”: the goal is total elimination of all glutens from the diet.

• Glutens are among the proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye and in any food that is derived from those grains.

• There is great controversy about whether oats are gluten toxic. For information on that subject, I refer you to my article on “Oats in the Gluten Free Diet”

• Many experts agree that distilled vinegar is acceptable but there is still some disagreement. You may wish to read my article “Vinegar in the Gluten Free Diet”.

• Cross contamination is a major concern . For example, French fried potatoes start life gluten free but will become gluten toxic if fried in the same oil as onion rings, breaded fish, or similar items.

•  “Hidden glutens” are a major problem. For example: wheat is a major ingredient in most soy sauces (read my article to learn how to sidestep the soy sauce problem). Another example: Barley flour is a major ingredient in Kellogg’s Rice Krispies. Some other brands are acceptable.   

Explanations of the gluten free diet are available on-line. These articles contain valuable information but are not a substitute for competent medical advice. Consider these resources:

• The Gluten Intolerance Group, one of three national support groups. You may also want to download their “Quick Start Diet Guide”.

•  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, the teaching hospital of Harvard University Medical School.
  

• CeliacHealth.org

• Wild Oats.com — one of the major retailers selling gluten free products

• State of Virginia — this document is long, technical,  and detailed but will answer most of your questions.

• Wikipedia, the popular on-line encyclopedia

  If you prefer to learn from books, I recommend these titles:

• Living Gluten Free for Dummies, starting with Chapter 4: “Grasping the Ground Rules for the Gluten Free Diet.”

• The Gluten Free Gourmet, the first volume in America’s best-known series of gluten free cook books. The introduction includes information about gluten free food as well as facts on the “hidden glutens” problem.
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• The Gluten Free Bible is the most important book in any celiac’s library. discussing the gluten diet and all the many issues faced by a person who is living gluten free.

 If you are interested in any of these books, click on the title or on the book-cover pictured in the middle column.

I've also written an article on The Gluten Free Diet for Children. Click on the title if you are interested in reading it.