Chestnut Farm Uncovers Gluten Double Agent
Posted by Kirill Storch on 1/4/2011
to
Chestnuts
We at Girolami Farms have recently started doing our research on gluten. And found things were worse than we ever thought. Millions of Americans suffer from needless physical discomforts all from this little protein.
We have written a number of gluten-centered articles recently, and would like to concentrate this week on the “double agent.” The double agent is a trace of gluten, that “sneaks in” to a product that is normally considered gluten free.
Not only is this tricky, if often makes new gluten-free dieters give up. Because they continue to feel the same way (that is to say...badly) even when on a “gluten-free” diet. Little do they know these pesky little double agents are what’s behind their health problems.
Typical Double Agents: Double agents take a number of forms. One of the most common is salad dressing. Even that super healthy salad dressing that seems to be gluten free...often contains a double agent. Why is that? It shares equipment with other dressings, which get dusted with GLUTEN, in order to improve consistency. Tricky, right?
VEGAN CANDY: Don’t fall for it! The problem with vegan candy (besides it being drenched in sugar) is that normally egg-based products are responsible for holding together candy. But in this case, the candy is held together by clumped wheat flour and wheat dextrin. This gives it the consistency of non-vegan candy but can set off a gluten allergy. Vegan does not mean healthy, people!
IMITATION MEAT: Sure, that Trader Joe’s “chickenless” chicken, seems like a great shortcut. All the taste of chicken, none of the side effects. Right? Wrong. These fake meats often get laced with a vegetable protein that is textured through gluten. This is enough to cause a severe gluten reaction.
Some other culprits are obviously “wheat free” beer, anything that has the word “malt,” in it, and even toothpaste, lipstick, and some types of medications. Be careful and ensure that when you buy something, it is truly gluten-free!
Chestnuts and chestnut-based products can provide a good alternative to gluten, making wonderful desserts and breads. If you want some great gluten-free chestnut recipes, download our free e-book.
.jpg)