What Does Gluten Free Mean

 

What does being gluten-free mean?

Being Gluten-free means keeping away from all gluten, wheat, barley, and oat products whether digesting or for external use.

Certain medical conditions require a gluten-free lifestyle:

• Celiac disease
• This an immune system disorder or an autoimmune disorder that damages your small intestine when you eat even a tiny amount of gluten and triggers immune system activity that damages the small intestine's lining. Over time, this damage prevents the absorption of nutrients from food.
• Gluten sensitivity
  This causes some of the same signs and symptoms associated with celiac disease, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, foggy brain, rash, or headache, even though there is no damage to the small intestine tissues. Studies show that the immune system plays a role. This is less evasive than Celiac Disease but if not handled properly it can eventually turn into Celiac Disease.
• Gluten ataxia
  This is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten affects certain nerve tissues, and causes problems with muscle control and voluntary muscle movement.
• Wheat allergy
  Like other food allergies, wheat allergy is the result of the immune system mistaking gluten or some other protein found in wheat as a disease-causing agent, similar to a virus or bacteria. The immune system creates an antibody to the protein, prompting an immune system response that may result in congestion, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms.
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• However further research from each individual and family that experiences any of these conditions can help us all learn how to handle these conditions better.

• Information retrieved from the Mayo Clinic., 2023
• Revised: Author: Stephanie Lanier

The purpose of Delicate Touch

   

Delicate Touch Celiac Support Group

The purpose of this group is to gather individuals with Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance, where we can come together to share our thoughts, ideas, recipes, and more!!!

Pick the gluten-free restaurant(s) in Michigan and let’s meet up for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner!

We are often left out of gatherings because of our allergies to gluten, so our mission is to make everyone affected feel a part of something special!

We will have gluten-free dishes, fun art & talk support groups.

Meetups at Gluten Free restaurants, parks, lakes, and beaches.

Any other ideas are welcome. We will be appointing planners, speakers, and hosts.

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Author: Stephanie Lanier

https://www.facebook.com/groups/768787694043550

Delicate Touch With Celiac's: Celiac Etiquette's

Delicate Touch Podcast

 Just like we all come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, we all have different viewpoints on life, different ethnic cultures, and different food and health habits. With Celiac's, we have to be handled a certain way. We can only consume organic and gluten-free foods and only use gluten-free products on our bodies. We must have our own everything separate from others. When living in a household with Celiac's we must have our own utensils, dishes, pots and pans, and dish rags, the kitchen must be "ours," we are not trying to be picky, whiny, or hard to deal with, we are trying to protect our health. Some of us can be around others with their gluten products just be mindful, please keep your hands clean, and keep flour base products away from us. If we allow non-gluten-free products in the household please keep them away from us, don't try to incorporate anything with our things because that is cross-contamination.

 When we get (gluten) sick it can hit us instantly or hours later, most time causing us to be bedridden, experiencing multiple symptoms; such as high blood pressure, skin irritations, breathing problems, flu-like, cold symptoms, just to name a few. Because we have experienced this several times we try our best to avoid being gluten, it almost feels like we are on our deathbed, no one likes that feeling.

So the bottom line is don't exclude us just be mindful and understand there are Celiac Etiquettes: If you have gluten on you keep it away from us, change and wash your clothes, body, face, and hands, and don't be mad if we don't want to shake your hand or hug you during that time.

Remember we are here with you, please be kind, respectful, and understanding.

We still want to be invited to events, outings, and gatherings, we know how to bring what we need so we don't go without, don't get mad if we say we can't eat what you prepared, our health is at risk, appeasing you is not an option.

Article: Delicate Touch with Celiacs: Celiac Etiquette's

Author: Steph Lanier 🅒2023

We are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/768787694043550