Tasty Lactose and Gluten Free Living

by Neville Dinning Grey Nomad Working Online

Lactose Free Diet Not Helping?

Many people who have started to go lactose free may also find that taking the next step and going gluten free also has benefits for their health and well being.

Such a drastic move does not have to mean that your diet will become difficult to manage or will lack in variety and taste.

Try Gluten Free

People with a gluten intolerance (of which Celiac Disease is an extreme form) are unable to eat gluten, a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye. This could be the result of attacks on the immune system causing damage to the villi within the small intestines. These villi are millions of finger-like appendages that help with the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

Not all grains contain gluten, so you can still eat grains such as wild rice, corn, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, and millet. These grains are also lactose-free so they will also be OK for those with a lactose intolerance. However, you may need to be wary of products that are made from these grains because lactose is sometimes added in the baking process.

Check the ingredients

When your diet has to be both lactose and gluten free, it is essential that you read the ingredients labels on the products you purchase. To avoid lactose, you will need to stay away from products that list ingredients such as milk, milk by-products, lactose, curds, dry milk solids, and whey. However, many manufacturers do not list gluten on food labels, making it harder to know which foods contain this protein.

Another alternative to purchasing the food for you diet, is to take control by preparing your own food. That way you know what is added and can make sure that ingredients that trigger reactions can be eliminated. There is also a wide range of meals and foods that can be prepared. Discover some of those Gluten Free Recipes here.

Variety in your diet

On a gluten-free and lactose-free diet, meats such as fish and poultry are available as they are naturally gluten-free and lactose-free and are a great source of protein. That is when they are prepared without binders and fillers as these can contain lactose. There are many recipes for preparing these. Whole vegetables and fruits such as grapes, carrots, peaches, apples, lettuce, and tomatoes are also gluten-free and lactose-free, and make great additions to you meals.

For more lactose free information visit Lactose Free Now.

Check here for Gluten Free Recipes.