Gluten-Free Diet

I've started a Poll on the upper Left Side of my blog to find out if my readers have dietary challenges. I hope to be able to provide information for menu planning for particular diet restrictions.

I hope to address some of the dietary restrictions through a series of posts throughout the week. Among some of the diets is the Gluten-Free Diet, which I will try to give you tips and sites available to help you plan your menus, know where to purchase Gluten-Free products, and which restaurants and eateries offer a Gluten-Free Menu.

If you have a suggestion, please leave me a comment and I will add it to my post! I am in no way an expert on this topic.

What is a Gluten-Free Diet?

1. Gluten is a composite of proteins found in many grains including wheat, rye, barley, oats and others.
2. Gluten Free items would include maize and rice.
3. It has been found that children/people with autism have a hard time breaking down these proteins in their digestive system, which can lead to a miserable feeling and in turn, sporadic behavioral issues.

Is a Gluten-Free Diet for me?

1. If you or your child have autism, you may want to research this and find out if the Gluten-Free and/or Dairy-Free Diet would benefit you.
2. Here are some websites to help you decide: Nutrition and Autism, Healing Thresholds, About.com, and Autism Web.
   

Where can I purchase Gluten-Free products?

1. There are numerous sites online where you can find them. Among them are:
   
2. Tom Sawyer Gluten-Free Products
3. GlutenFree.com
4. Gluten Solutions
5. Walmart (specifies "Gluten Free" on their products)
   

What Restaurants offer Gluten-Free Meals?

1. You can usually find Gluten-Free items on just about any menu (even if all you're ordering is a salad) or customize your order to be Gluten-Free.
2. The Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program offers a search site for restaurants in your area that offer Gluten-Free items on their Menu.
3. Gluten-Free On the Go is another great site to check out for eating on the go.

Where can I find Good Gluten-Free Meal Planning Ideas?

1. There are many blogs out there dedicated to Gluten-Free living. I've only done a small search and have come up with the following:
2. Gluten-Free on a Budget (all meals are $20 or less and can probably be used for 2 meals for a family of 4)
3. Strawberries are Gluten Free (Menu plans)
4. Gluten Free Blog (deals on Gluten-Free products)
5. Good Without Gluten (Recipes)
6. Gluten Free in the South (great for Floridians & Georgians)
7. The Crispy Cook (great resource for many other bloggers in the Gluten-Free World)
   

Please let me know if you have found sites that would ease other's Gluten-Free way of living by posting a comment. I am, in no way, an expert when it comes to this topic.