There is a lot of talk about Gluten-free diets nowadays. There are practical and psychological issues to this healthy alternative way of eating. Gluten-free diets are often recommended for individuals with celiac disease or who have wheat allergies.

The gluten-free diet is free of ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals like wheat (including Kamut and spelt), barley, rye, oats and triticale (a hybrid of wheat). Gluten is also used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing agent or as a thickening agent.

Gluten Free Ingredients

There are several grains and starches used in a gluten-free diet such as maize (corn), potatoes, rice, and tapioca, the sweet potato, yam, beans, soybeans; nut flours are also gluten-free products that contain protein and dietary fiber.

There are advantages to eating everyone eating gluten-free foods in the family when one member has a disease that requires it:

• You do not have to make two versions of a meal, one being gluten-free

• You only have to shop for gluten-free products (less time in the store)

• You avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen

• The individual who medically has to eat gluten-free will not feel "different", or left out of what the others are eating

• You won't need to worry that the individual who has to medically eat gluten-free won't accidentally eat something that isn't

• The individual who has to eat gluten-free won't be tempted to "cheat"

The problem with trying to eat gluten-free is that sooner or later the reality that most of the rest of the world eats gluten will hit home.

There will be birthday parties, holiday get together and other opportunities to eat with the public like at school. Eventually kids and other family members will be tempted by gluten containing foods.

When your world is full of gluten food choices, family members do not learn how to make gluten-free choices among other choice food items.

Medical Conditions

If a family member has to eat gluten-free because of a medical disease or condition, that member needs to learn that there are other foods out there that are not gluten-free and that identifying the safe foods to eat from all the rest and being able to avoid temptation to choose the gluten foods is something that would be healthy and beneficial for the individual's health.

Eating gluten-free has found to be of benefit to not just those suffering from celiac disease, but also those who suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and also ADHD.

You can make delicious gluten-free meals, condiments, staples, and gluten-free baked goods to satisfy everyone in the family. A gluten-free diet not only benefits that one who medically has to be on it, but also is healthy for anyone to eat.