What IS Gluten?
MIIKO Gluten Free Banana Bread
Is it a trend? Is it a truth? Today I’d like to discuss with you what exactly IS gluten?.. And ‘should I be gluten free?’
Now that’s a question, so many friends and family ask me! So I want to start with educating you all on what exactly gluten IS, before YOU can make your own personal decision.
Gluten is not a scary word! But it can do funky things to your body. ‘But how do I know if I should eat gluten?’ I hear you ask! Ok, so let’s get down to the science….
Gluten is a protein, naturally found in cereal grains such as, wheat, barley and rye. Its what binds your food together and gives it that fluffy cloud texture, that also makes it irresistible to eat! Think along the lines of a freshly baked French baguette…. Are you drooling yet?
So if gluten is this magical doughy food of love then why do we fear it?
Here it goes..
Gluten itself, as wonderful as it sounds above, actually contains no essential nutrients. So it really has no immediate health benefits to list. Other than these high carbohydrate foods that can provide you with energy.
Now I want you to think back to the caveman times…they weren’t digging in to a bowl of spaghetti, or indulging in garlic bread. Thats because it just simply wasn’t available to them and therefore was not a part of their diet. You’ll often read that cavemen were amongst the healthiest of them all and the strong reasoning for this was because they didn’t eat any grains. *dramatic stage music*
Now I’m absolutely not suggesting you never eat pizza again, but what I am suggesting, is you open yourself up to the idea that there is a life beyond grains, with immense health benefits…yay!
So how does gluten effect me?
Well over time and if eaten in large quantities, gluten CAN (depending on the individual) develop inflammation and damage in your digestive tract, triggering the immune system and attacking the small intestine, losing its ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium and iron. This is where then as individuals, we can develop not only a sensitivity to gluten but also issues such as iron deficiency. Thats a lot of information right?
Gluten free, is now a £100 million market and amongst one of the most trending lifestyle changes known today. A gluten free diet, is one containing none of the sample list of foods above. What that means, is the lifestyle choice of eliminating gluten can reduce your chances of inflammation, bloating, fatigue, stomach pains, headaches, joint pains and more whilst promoting healthy skin, higher energy levels and a happier tummy! And a happy tummy is literally a happy soul.
Don’t be fooled! Choosing to eat gluten free, doesn’t mean you have to go hungry or live a super boring lifestyle, nor be anti-social. Its about being educated to CHANGE the TYPE of carbohydrate you’re eating. Bananas, potatoes, lentils, rice, quinoa, beans, corn, fruits, nuts and seeds…the list goes on…and how yummy are all of those foods! And you can eat all of those and more on a gluten free diet, whilst maintaining high fibre levels, exceeding vitamins and minerals, and essential complex carbohydrates our bodies need to thrive.
Cafes such as MIIKO EVERYDAY NOURISHMENT provide a powerhouse of nutrients in every one of their menu delights. With freshly baked in house gluten free bread ready to top with luscious ripe avocados or their unique turmeric hummus… lentils dhals, granola bowls and even French toast style banana bread (if you haven’t tried this, its life changing!!) available everyday, it's SO easy to eat deliciously, healthily and whilst living that gluten free dream.
So should YOU go gluten free?
Thats a question no health coach, nutritionist, instagram blogger or friend can answer, only YOU know your own body and now you know the science behind gluten, you have opened up endless doors to new food creativity in the kitchen, conversation at the table and possibilities for your health. There is no right or wrong answer to how you should live your life, but I hope I’ve been able to shed some light in to the ever asked question of ‘what IS gluten’. Remember, its YOUR body and you should choose to nourish it how you see best. So try a new gluten free recipe, opt for the gluten free pasta on your girls night out or even just swap one thing daily for the gluten free version.. you’ll be surprised where you find gluten…sauce mixes, soups, even in your lip balm! Whatever this blog has inspired you to do, make sure it’s for you.
See how it makes you feel… do what makes you happy… shine bright and never forget to nourish your soul as well as your body.
Thoughts by —
Victoria Farley
Qualified Health Coach specialising in plant based nutrition.
Hear from one of Miiko’s most frequent customer, Emily White and read how she manages to be completely GLUTEN FREE..
‘Hi, my name is Emily White, I’m 22 years old and I run a gluten and wheat free Instagram page and blog, @gfree_emily sharing pictures and stories of my favourite free from foods, places to eat out and plenty of porridge bowls.
My Dad has been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease now for over ten years, and I was diagnosed with the same disease the day after my 16th birthday. Me and my two brothers went for blood tests after hearing that the disease can be hereditary, mine was the only one of the three that came back positive. Having Coeliac Disease means that if you consume gluten your tissue attacks your immune system making it harder to take in nutrients, therefore, having to make changes to your diet and become friendlier with the free from aisle.
So let’s talk about gluten free food, from when I was first diagnosed the supermarket and eating out choices were very minimal. Over the past 6 years I have seen a dramatic change, for the better may I add, the free from aisle is double, maybe triple the size that it was before and when you have limited options of what you can buy and eat, this is a free from foodies heaven! For example, you now have a choice of twenty plus breaded items, whereas before it was just one or two and they weren’t the tastiest thing to consume that’s for sure, and seeing new products really can brighten up a food shop.
This then leads me onto eating out, gluten free menus are everywhere, it’s very uncommon to go into a café, restaurant or pub and not have at least one gluten free option, even if it is just a jacket potato with beans. But places are becoming more adventurous and giving us starter, main, dessert, lunch, breakfast and cake options, which like I said before means a lot when you have limited choices. When you find these places that have a vast selection and the food tastes amazing, it stays ingrained in your brain! That’s why I love driving down to Miiko.
I found out about this café on Instagram myself and after my first visit I knew I was going to be returning again. I was speaking to Lana in early August when I came down for breakfast at the café and she asked where I lived, she couldn’t believe that I would drive forty minutes to have breakfast, lunch or just coffee and cake at her café. But for me, with a place like Miiko, where everything on the menu isn’t just vegan but is gluten free, it’s become my mission to work through everything on their menu. But their menu is what I come back for, the homemade vegan and gluten free bread is some of the best I’ve eaten in a long time and their Banana Bread French Toast, well that’s something else!
So, to wind things up, yes being a Coeliac means you have to be more careful with what you consume but with the right knowledge, the free from aisle and those gluten free menus you can still enjoy food and eating out.’
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GLUTEN FREE ALTERNATIVE?
‘My favourite gluten free alternative is the white rabbit pizzas, they also do vegan options, the ‘Vegan Gardener’ is my favourite, such a crispy crust and plenty of topping’
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GLUTEN FREE RECIPE?
‘My favourite gluten free recipe is one of my own, I love making my gluten, refined sugar free and vegan chocolate nut butter stuffed muffins, I have attached the link. https://gfreeemily25.wordpress.com/2020/07/26/gluten-refined-sugar-free-and-vegan-chocolate-nut-butter-stuffed-cupcakes/ ’
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
I love getting it from instagram and from the other food bloggers that I follow, it’s such an amazing platform to see and share other dishes, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, baking or dinner.