Publisher's Synopsis
If you're following a gluten-free diet for health reasons, this book will teach you everything you need to know about maintaining it and having a healthy pregnancy.If you've been avoiding gluten because you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, you may be wondering if you're getting all of the nutrients you need. Do you need to change your diet now that you're eating for two? The simple answer: probably not - especially if you've been gluten-free for a while.Gluten, a protein that gives foods structure and texture, is found in most products made from wheat, barley or rye (like breads, crackers, cereals, pasta, cakes, cookies and pies) and is often also an ingredient in commercial food products sold in supermarkets and restaurants (including beer, coated French fries, hot dogs, sausages, some salad dressings and soy sauces, soups, licorice candy and veggie burgers). If you have celiac disease, gluten can trigger an immune system reaction that damages the intestines, with symptoms including diarrhea, fatigue and joint pain. Wheat allergy, another form of gluten intolerance, not only causes intestinal problems but can also provoke classic allergy symptoms such as hives, itching, nasal congestion and potentially fatal respiratory reactions.
