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Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Oklahoma Celiac Support Group is to make a positive difference in the lives of those living with Celiac Disease by providing support, education and opportunities to interact with fellow celiacs, as well as encourage the strict adherence to a gluten-free diet to promote a healthy and happy life.

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Gluten Free Diet Basics

What is a Gluten Free Diet?

A gluten-free diet eliminates all foods that contain wheat, oats, barley and rye. Wheat includes spelt, triticale, and kamut. So, most grain, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods must be eliminated from one's diet.

Don't be discouraged! Celiacs can eat a wonderful and well-balanced diet with a variety of foods, including bread and pasta. Alternate flours such as sorghum, potato, rice, soy, or bean flour, are available and work well in gluten free baking. In the past ten years, many terrific products have come on the market including gluten free doughnuts, pizza crusts, frozen dinners, breads, crackers; etc.

There is a learning curve to the gluten free diet. But once it is achieved, one will live a much more happy and healthy life!

What Celiacs Can Not Eat:

Wheat

Oats

Barley

Rye

Any derivatives of the above

What Celiacs Can Eat:

Fresh Fruit

Fresh Meat

Fresh Vegetables

Corn

Potato

Rice

Soybeans

Tapioca

Arrowroot

Carob

Buckwheat

Millet

Amaranth

Quinoa

If you are not sure of what you are consuming, don't. You have to know the underlying ingredients to determine if something is safe. A good example is vinegar. Distilled vinegar does not contain gluten. However, malt vinegar does contain gluten because it is made with barley. Best advice: if in doubt, go without.

Wild Cards:

Grains are used in the processing of many ingredients, so it will be necessary to seek out hidden gluten. The following terms found in food labels are "wild cards" and may contain gluten.

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), unless made from soy or corn

Flour or Cereal products, unless made with pure rice flour, corn flour, potato flour, or soy flour

Vegetable Protein unless made from soy or corn

Malt or Malt Flavoring unless derived from corn

Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch unless arrowroot, corn, potato, tapioca, waxy maize, or maize is used

Vegetable Gum unless vegetable gums are carob bean gum, locust bean gum, cellulose gum, guar gum, gum arabic, gum aracia, gum tragacanth, xanthan gum, or vegetable starch

Soy Sauce or Soy Sauce Solids unless you know they do not contain wheat

Any of the following words on food labels usually means that a grain containing gluten has been used:

stabilizer

starch

flavoring

emulsifier

hydrolyzed plant protein

You should verify with the manufacturer to ensure there is no gluten before consuming.

Check Food Labels For Hidden Gluten

It is important for all celiac patients to read food labels and food ingredient lists, to make sure that the food does not contain hidden gluten. Also, note that hidden sources of gluten include additives, preservatives, and stabilizers found in processed food, medicines, and mouthwash. If ingredients are not listed on the product-label, check with the manufacturer.

Disclaimer:

The information, including opinions and recommendations, contained in this website are for educational purposes only. Such information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. No one should act upon any information provided in this website without first seeking medical advice from a qualified medical physician. The text has NOT been submitted for approval by the CSA/USA, Inc. medical board.