Eat gluten-free

4. IS GLUTEN UNHEALTHY?

The answer is a resounding "Yes". Gluten is not an ingredient that is hazardous to health, but a natural component of cereal plants. As a rule, it is digested without complications and does not cause any problems.

Those who suffer from the autoimmune disease celiac disease or have a gluten intolerance, on the other hand, must pay attention to the ingredients in the food. For people with celiac disease, the consumption of gluten can have serious consequences, as the intestine loses its structure with this disease³. This is essential for the absorption of nutrients and gluten should therefore be avoided at all costs.

However, eating gluten is also unpleasant for those who suffer from gluten intolerance. Depending on the severity, the symptoms can range from general malaise, tiredness and headaches to abdominal pain and flatulence, cramps and diarrhea⁴.

If you do not suffer from any of the above complaints, a gluten-free diet will not bring you any benefit. On the contrary: avoiding gluten can ensure that you also do without health-promoting products, such as whole grain products.

5. GLUTEN-FREE DIET

What is gluten free?

Basically it can be said that fresh fruit and vegetables and barely processed preserves are gluten-free, as are animal products such as milk and eggs. Processed products are either identified separately directly on the front, or the list of ingredients must be read carefully.

There are now many different products that are also offered in a gluten-free version, such as pizza, bread and other pasta. Different flours are used here, such as almond flour, corn flour and rice flour, the combination of which reflects the conventional product well. So it depends on the targeted selection of these products, so that almost unrestricted eating is possible.

Gluten-free products are not only intended for gluten-sensitive people. They can be consumed by anyone and sometimes make it easier to plan meals together.

What am I not allowed to eat?

Care should always be taken with processed products. Some manufacturers use the different properties of gluten, for example in pasta and baked goods, but also in meat substitutes, ready-made sauces or soups, beer, chips and pudding.

It is always necessary to check in each case whether the food in question was produced with gluten or not. Since gluten is one of the 14 main allergens, it must be declared separately on each product⁵. As a rule, this is done by typing the respective ingredients in bold in the end product, which means that the list of ingredients is permanently checked.

Are oatmeal gluten free?

As a rule, oat flakes are gluten-free, but the cultivation and processing of the products often takes place in the immediate vicinity of foods containing gluten, which means that contamination cannot be ruled out. Those affected by celiac disease in particular depend on the manufacturing and processing steps being able to completely rule out possible contamination⁴. This is checked independently and awarded a corresponding seal. So the consumption of filling oatmeal is still possible. These are processed in our OMNIbars together with the so-called pseudo-cereals, such as quinoa. For longer tours or sports activities, the bars are still a super gluten-free snack and carbohydrate supplier that can be enjoyed by everyone without hesitation.

However, a reaction to oats cannot be ruled out in people with celiac disease - around 8% react to oats with various symptoms.

6. SO LET'S SUMMARY

Gluten is a natural component of cereal plants that we encounter in many foods due to its water-binding and sticky properties. It is not necessary to avoid gluten if no corresponding clinical diseases such as celiac disease or gluten intolerance have been identified. However, the indication that it is gluten-free is not a reason not to eat a product because, like the indication "vegan", it does not mean that only a certain group of people can enjoy this food. For those who are specifically dependent on avoiding foods containing gluten, these tips are important and maintaining a gluten-free diet is necessary. This also partly applies to products that do not naturally contain gluten, such as oat flakes - contamination can be ruled out with the reliable information.