Few things taste better than melted butter on freshly-baked bread. But, my dear friend, wheat is being kicked to the curb for healthier (and trendier) grains.
Few things taste better than melted butter on freshly-baked bread. But, my dear friend, wheat is being kicked to the curb for healthier (and trendier) grains.
Gone are the days when ciabatta bread was in vogue and home-made bakes filled the cookie jar. The wheat-free fad has hit the pantry shelves with a vengeance.
Statistics from The Guardian Online show that one in four US citizens are opting for a wheat-free diet. The rest of the world, including Grahamstown, is following suite.
A decade ago few people even knew there was an alternative to eating wheat. But now, in keeping up with this new dietary trend, shops are dedicating whole aisles to wheat-free produce.
“There are a lot of clients who buy our wheat-free products,” said Debbie Douglas, an assistant at the Mustard Seed health shop in Pepper Grove Mall, “and we have seen a drastic incline in the last three, four years”. The store has a large variety of produce ranging from pastas to bread, biscuits, muesli and even pre-mix cake flour. “The best-selling item is our pasta,” said Douglas.
Intolerance to wheat, or, more specifically, to the protein found in wheat (gluten) is known as celiac disease. This results in inflammation of and eventually serious damage to the inner lining of the small intestine from the ingestion of wheat.
According to mayoclinic.com, a popular health information site, if left untreated celiac disease can lead to gastro-intestinal cancer, osteoporosis and infertility. According to the website, symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, fatigue and weight issues.
The Celiac Disease Centre at the University of Chicago estimates that more than three million Americans suffer from the disease.
Statistics for South Africa have yet to be finalised.
The disease often goes unnoticed because most people don’t have themselves checked for wheat intolerance. Diagnosis is done through a blood test.
I was diagnosed as wheat-intolerant at the beginning of this year. Since following a wheat-free diet, I am not only feeling less bloated, but also more energetic.
Those who have not been diagnosed with celiac disease, but wish to improve their diet, can substitute wheat for grains like quinoa and amaranth. So throw those chocolate chip cookies away and make room on the shelf for equally delicious wheat-free chocolate biscuits. They’ll fulfil your cravings, without you having to loosen your belt.
