When your child was diagnosed with celiac disease, you may want to try gluten free cooking. There are several things to consider, including ingredients in flours and the way the ingredients are processed. We’ll also discuss how to substitute high-protein flours for traditional ones. If you’re unsure of how to go about this, you can learn more about gluten-free cooking here. Then you can start enjoying the delicious food you’ve been missing out on!
Ourman’s son was diagnosed with celiac disease
The autoimmune disorder celiac disease can be hereditary and can affect both children and adults. People with celiac disease cannot digest or absorb certain nutrients from food. Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers a reaction in the body that damages the villi of the small intestine. In addition to destroying the villi, celiac disease can lead to an increased risk of developing other immune and nutritional disorders.
The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown, but the risk of passing the disease down the line is higher if one has a parent who has the disease. It is estimated that approximately five to ten percent of children will be affected by celiac disease. Nearly two-thirds of all those diagnosed with celiac disease have a close relative with the disease. Moreover, identical twins have a 70% chance of passing the disease on to their remaining twin.
Diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, and abdominal pain are common symptoms of celiac disease. It can also affect the immune system, leading to iron deficiency anemia and reduced response to the hepatitis B vaccine. Although celiac disease is rare in children, it increases a child’s risk of developing cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions.
Children and adults with the disease can have the disease at any age. Symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the disease. In children, celiac disease often presents in adolescence. There are two peaks to the disease: the first stage and the second stage. Children may experience both peaks. The symptoms of celiac disease vary greatly, and it is important to seek medical advice early to prevent complications and death.
Ingredients in gluten-free flours
When buying commercial gluten-free flours, look for the following: corn starch, rice, teff, tapioca, sorghum, potato starch, garbanzo, or nut flours. Some flours contain xanthan gum, a preservative that helps the gluten-free flour retain its elasticity. In addition, a gluten-free flour can be used in the same applications as conventional wheat flour.
Commercially-available gluten-free flour blends are best for most cooking applications, but you should check the labels to find out what exactly is in each one before using it. Many of them contain ingredients that are derived from different sources, and you may find that a particular flour blend is better for a certain type of baking. If you want to use gluten-free flour in your regular recipes, however, you can also buy commercial gluten-free flour blends.
Flax seed is another common ingredient in gluten-free flours. This nutty, earthy flour is often overlooked, but it can substitute for eggs in vegan recipes. Moreover, flaxseed has excellent binding properties and is used in commercial gluten-free flour mixes. But if you want something more exotic, you may consider hemp or fava bean flour, which are rich in protein and fibre.
Almond meal is an excellent gluten-free alternative. This flour contains higher levels of oil than non-nut flours. It improves over time, and the nutty flavour makes it ideal for gluten-free baking. But almond meal is not cheap! So, it’s best to choose almond meal over wheat flour. However, make sure to test the product’s taste before you purchase it.
Avoiding traditional gluten-rich foods
When you’re cooking gluten-free, you’ll need to avoid some of the traditional staples of our diet. These include many breads, pastas, biscuits, and other baked goods. Try to avoid products made with rye. Breads made with flour tortillas and cornstarch are also high in gluten. You may also want to avoid breads, sauces, and beer, and some vitamin supplements.
While tofu is naturally free of gluten, it can be processed and contain traces of gluten. Be sure to buy gluten-free varieties of beer, cider, and wine. Many condiments and sauces contain gluten, including ketchup and mustard, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and some ice cream. Some burger flavors may contain gluten, too, so look for substitutes.
Wheat flour, bleached flour, and some grains can also contain gluten. If you don’t want to purchase these products, read the label and ask the manufacturer if they contain gluten. Flour may also contain gluten. Potatoes and potato products are gluten-free but may contain traces of wheat. It is best to buy a product that has a label that states it is gluten-free.
Make sure you tell everyone you’re eating out that you have a dietary requirement. Don’t assume that the host will understand. It’s important to communicate your need to avoid gluten with others. While some dishes are clearly labeled gluten-free, some contain ingredients that contain gluten. Some restaurants add pancake batter to omelets to make them fluffy. Be sure to ask if the dish has been cooked in a way that may cross-contaminate gluten-free ingredients.
When you’re cooking gluten-free, you’ll want to avoid using processed produce. Many pre-packaged produce contains gluten, so be sure to check the label to see if it says it’s gluten-free. For those who care about their diets, fresh fruits and vegetables are great choices. A diet that contains only fresh produce is more likely to be gluten-free than one with wheat flour.
Substituting high protein flours
When it comes to gluten free cooking, one of the easiest ways to make your recipes more protein-rich is by substituting high-protein flours. White rice flour is an excellent option because it is the easiest to find and produces a light texture. Coconut flour is more expensive, but also contains more protein. Both have about two grams per serving, compared to four grams for all-purpose flour.
Using gluten-free flours can be a challenging task, however. Since wheat flour contains lots of water, gluten-free flours have much larger particles, which reduces the amount of surface area available for absorption of liquid. In order to successfully make a baked good that is moist, you will need to increase the amount of moisture in the recipe. In addition to using higher-quality flours, use moisture-retaining ingredients, like honey or apple sauce. If you’re baking with liquid fats, substitute them with oil instead.
Another high-protein flour is quinoa flour. This type contains about four grams of protein per cup. You can use quinoa flour alone or in combination with other flours. Chestnut flour is great but has a lower protein content than almond flour. Chestnut flour is very high in fiber and has very little flavor. If you want to increase the protein content in your baked goods, you can use other flours, such as pea or corn flour. These flours are also high in B vitamins and minerals, and have the added benefit of being easier to digest than wheat-based flours.
If you can’t find wheat flour, try amaranth flour. It contains four grams of protein per cup and also contains magnesium. It’s best to use it as a blend, making up about 25 percent of the flour needed for a recipe. You can also try teff flour. This is the base for Ethiopian injera bread. Try it in quick bread recipes to make a gluten-free version of the familiar flavor and texture.
Adapting favorite recipes
Adapting favorite recipes for gluten free cooking is not as difficult as you might think. Some ingredients are obviously gluten-free, while others are hidden gluten traps. By avoiding these ingredients and substituting other, similar ingredients, you can convert any recipe to be gluten-free. Premeditated Leftovers recipe tester Alea explains how to adapt favorite recipes for gluten free cooking. Here are some tips to follow:
If you are unsure of how to modify a recipe, the best way to begin is by experimenting with old favorites. Try substituting flour with another ingredient and experiment with different flavors until you find a recipe that suits you. It might take a few tries before you find one that works! If you are unsure, you can set aside a day on the weekend to experiment with recipes. Afterwards, you can use the time to make a gluten-free version of a favorite recipe and try it out.
