Gluten-Free Diets Include Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

There are a substantial number of people who develop serious health problems due to the protein known as gluten.  Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye.  The consumption of gluten can cause an allergic reaction in some people, while others are faced with an illness known as celiac disease.  Celiac is a disease of the small intestine that can cause chronic diarrhea and fatigue among other things.  Although the number of people affected by celiac disease was once thought to be rather small, it seems the number of cases is constantly on the rise.  This doesn’t count the number of people who may have the disease and simply pass it off as something else while remaining undiagnosed.

The solution to the allergic reactions to gluten as well as celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.  A gluten-free diet is one that is void of any of the ingredients of foods that contain gluten, as well as any type of food that uses gluten as an additive.  This obviously includes many types of grain based breads and cereals, of which the market is bountiful.  Besides wheat, barley, and rye, it is also a good idea to avoid any food containing oats as the studies on their effect on those choosing to be gluten-free is still up for debate.  So what are good food options for those who are on a gluten-free diet?

Some of the best foods you can add to your gluten-free diet are fruits and vegetables.  Perhaps the best thing about that fact is that basically any fruit or vegetable can be included in your diet.  You won’t have to search for gluten-free labels on cans or boxes to determine whether or not you are able to eat what’s inside.  Instead, it’s as easy as going down to your local supermarket or out to your own personal garden and choosing the fruits and vegetables of your choice.  As long as you are not cooking them with foods or sauces that contain gluten, you are good to go.  In fact, a gluten-free diet is very comparable to that of a vegan diet.  Just make sure that you balance your diet so that you are getting all that you need.  There are many gluten-free breads, pastas, and dairy products to help you achieve a natural balance.

A gluten-free diet doesn’t have to be void of many of the things you enjoy, especially with a full variety of fruits and vegetables there for the choosing.

To find more information on gluten-free diets and the lifestyle associated with them, click here!

How To Handle the Next Allergy Season When it Hits

Many people have come to the realization that their favorite time of the year is also the part of the year that they dread the most, due to the stress and hassle that comes with their own allergies. Allergies affect a very large number of the world’s population. Symptoms range from the mild ones that can be controlled with a simple over the counter medicine, to the serious ones that can cause far more disruptive health problems such as various nasal and ear infections. It’s no wonder why some people who have to deal with these allergies feel like they need to hide themselves away during allergy season. If you are one of those people, there are some things that you can do to better prepare yourself for the approaching allergy season.

One of the best ways to help lessen your allergy trouble is to know everything there is to know about the particular allergy, including what types of foods that can help set it off. For instance, the pollen that is in the air that you breathe can cause a reaction when coupled with certain foods that you may eat such as different fruits and nuts. Another good idea to help combat allergy season is to stock up on certain types of over the counter medicines such as non-drowsy antihistamines and nasal sprays. These will offer you some measure of relief when the allergy symptoms come calling. If watery, itchy eyes are a staple for you during allergy season, then something as simple as wearing sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes can work wonders.

Choosing your outdoor activities and the time of the day that you are outside can also be of major significance to the allergy sufferer. Doing work in the yard during the peak morning hours when the pollen count in the air is at its highest is probably not the best of ideas. If you must work outdoors, wearing a surgical type facemask can help filter the air you breathe. While indoors, instead of opening windows it may be better to run the air conditioner instead to keep the air in your house as pollen free as possible. One more thing you can do is to take a shower before bedtime and wash your hair. This will keep anything that you have acquired on your body throughout the day from getting on your sheets and pillows.

Allergy season can be a frustrating time for those who suffer, but using the above mentioned tips will certainly help alleviate some of the aggravation. Other great allergy prevention tips can be found here!