Going Gluten Free

While watching TV last night (yes, I do that sometimes) I came across a show on the history of wheat. What was the most remarkable was the amount of processing wheat goes through before it makes it to our plates. As many of you may already know wheat or gluten intolerance is a growing phenomenon in our world with an estimated 50-70% of the population of the US undiagnosed with gluten enteropathy.

There are many theories regarding why we have become allergic to a grain that has been a staple in out diet for so long. I have read extensively on the subject and to get into the details of the debate would be a daunting task for a blog. One thing that became apparent watching the show last night is that the way we process our food isn't helping. Processing wheat enable extended shelf life so it may be shipped long distances and sit on grocery store shelf has not only reduced the nutrient content it extends the time from the field to our dinner plate. That time allows for the rancidification of the end product that we eat adding to the oxidative damage in our body and contributing to systemic inflammation. Inflammation is a huge component in all chronic disease.

There is much more to this topic but I would like to provide some resources for those of us who are avoiding wheat and all other gluten containing grains.

Gluten free resources:

• Good info on specifics of Celiac disease and GF: www.celiac.com
• My Favorite Blog and book: Gluten Free Girl by Shauna James Ahern www.glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com
• Trader Joes GF products: www.traderjoes.com/labels_and_lists.html
• Chex mix recipes (Rice Chex is now GF!) chex.com/Recipes/CategoryView.aspx?CategoryId=447&t=5
• Great recipes by Karina’s Kitchen: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
• New Season’s GF info: http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/dynamicContent.aspx?loc=619&subloc=1&menuId=991
• Whole foods has a GF bakery that supplies GF products nationwide. Contact your local WF to see what they carry.
• More GF recipes for the whole family: glutenfreemommy.com
• Bob’s Redmill GF products and recipes: http://www.bobsredmill.com/
• Lists GF resources by state including local restaurants that offer GF menus: http://www.glutenfreeceliacweb.com/site-index/

For those of you in or near Portland, OR here is a list of coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants that offer GF opptions:

• Blog on GF resources in Portland, OR: http://www.graindamaged.blogspot.com/
• Grolla Restaurant - 2930 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR - (503) 493-9521
• Corbett Fish House - 5901 SW Corbett Ave, Portland, OR - (503) 246-4434
• Lemongrass - 1705 NE Couch St, Portland, OR - (503) 231-5780
• Acapulco's Southwest Gold - 7800 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR - (503) 244-0771
• Andina Restaurant - 1314 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR - (503) 228-9535
  
• PF Chang's China Bistro - 1139 NW Couch St, Portland, OR - (503) 432-4000
• Mississippi Pizza Pub - 3552 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR - (503) 288-3231
• Carafe - 200 SW Market St, Portland, OR - (503) 248-0004
• Piece of Cake - 8306 SE 17th Ave, Portland, OR - (503) 234-9445
• Papa Haydn - 715 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR - (503) 228-7317
• The Coffee Plant: Note that The Coffee Plant has two locations but only this one is gluten free. It is right next to Corbett Fish House so you can really celebrate gluten free in this area. 5915 SW Corbett Ave, Portland, OR - (503) 293-3280
• The Garlic Jim’s Pizza Chain recently introduced gluten free pizza in all its outlets in the Portland/Vancouver area. Click here to read a press release on that subject. Click on the pizza chain’s name for it locations.
• New Cascadia Traditional GF artisan bakery http://www.newcascadiatraditional.com/ NW Glisan St. between NW 21st and NW 22nd Ave.

Sarah Marshall is a candidate to graduate as a Naturopathic Doctor in June 2009. She is currently practicing as a medical intern at the Natural Health Center Portland, OR. If you would like to schedule and appointment for a personalized health consultation with her call (503) 552-1551.