Is Quinoa Gluten-Free?
Quinoa has the highest nutritional profile of all grains. Quinoa is provides an excellent source of protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids making it a complete protein. Quinoa is a good choice for anyone who wants to get more vegetarian protein in their diet. It also provides a good source of magnesium and riboflavin. This grain has a soft, crunchy texture and is naturally gluten free. It is easy to cook and tastes great with many vegetables. It can also be eaten for breakfast to take the place of the bread that is usually served with eggs. Another great idea is to add quinoa to a salad with some fresh herbs and a light dressing. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Cross-Contamination of Gluten in Restaurants
Cross-contamination of gluten in restaurants
Those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance must be extra careful when dining out. Cross-contamination of gluten can happen in any restaurant.I was eating out for breakfast in a very nice restaurant recently and came very close to eating food that was cross-contaminated. I ordered scrambled eggs and a side of fresh fruit. I asked the waitress to bring the eggs without the toast and fried potatoes that it came with. I told her that I am gluten intolerant. She appeared to understand my request. When the food arrived the eggs were on a plate with the toast and the potatoes. The fruit was in a separate dish. I began to feel frustrated and upset. I called over the waitress and told her that this was not what I had ordered. She replied, “I can take the bread and the potatoes off of the plate for you.” I almost said “OK”. After some thought I realized that even if she removed these glutinous foods there still might be some bread crumbs remaining on the plate. I could end up ingesting them when eating my eggs. This possibility was too risky for me so I asked her to make me a completely new plate of scrambled eggs. It is so important to pay attention to details when dining out in any restaurant to make sure that your meal is gluten-free.
Those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance must be extra careful when dining out. Cross-contamination of gluten can happen in any restaurant.I was eating out for breakfast in a very nice restaurant recently and came very close to eating food that was cross-contaminated. I ordered scrambled eggs and a side of fresh fruit. I asked the waitress to bring the eggs without the toast and fried potatoes that it came with. I told her that I am gluten intolerant. She appeared to understand my request. When the food arrived the eggs were on a plate with the toast and the potatoes. The fruit was in a separate dish. I began to feel frustrated and upset. I called over the waitress and told her that this was not what I had ordered. She replied, “I can take the bread and the potatoes off of the plate for you.” I almost said “OK”. After some thought I realized that even if she removed these glutinous foods there still might be some bread crumbs remaining on the plate. I could end up ingesting them when eating my eggs. This possibility was too risky for me so I asked her to make me a completely new plate of scrambled eggs. It is so important to pay attention to details when dining out in any restaurant to make sure that your meal is gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination of Gluten in Restaurants
Those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease need to be extra careful when dining out. Cross-contamination can happen in any restaurant. I was eating out for breakfast and ordered a side of scrambled eggs and a side of fresh fruit. I told the waitress that I wanted only eggs and not the bread or fried potatoes that it came with. She said "OK" and appeared to understand my request. When the food arrived, the eggs were on a plate with two slices of toast and the potatoes. There was a separate bowl of fruit. This made me feel so frustrated and upset. I called over the waitress and explained that this was not what I wanted. She said "I can take the bread and potatoes off the plate for you." I almost said, "OK". But after careful thought I realized that after she does this there might be some bread crumbs remaining on the plate from the toast. I could end up ingesting these crumbs without realizing it. Therefore, I asked her to make me a completely new dish of scrambled eggs so that I would be safe.
http://www.healthbygini.com/
http://www.healthbygini.com/
Gluten-Free Foods As Medical Expenses For Celiacs
TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR GLUTEN-FREE FOODS AS MEDICAL EXPENSE FOR CELIACS
If you itemize your deductions you may take as a medical expense,
the extra costs you sustain due to your dietary limitations, as follows:
1. You may deduct the cost of Gluten-Free (GF) food that is in EXCESS of the cost of the gluten containing food that you are
replacing. For example, if a loaf of gluten-free bread costs $5.00 and a comparable loaf of gluten containing bread costs $2.50, you
may include in your medical expenses the excess cost of $2.50.
2. The full cost of special items needed for a GF diet may be deducted. An example is the cost of XANTHAN GUM (methyl
cellulose) used in GF home baked items, which is completely different than anything used in an ordinary recipe.
3. If you make a special trip to a specialty store to purchase GF foods, the actual cost of your transportation to and from the store
is deductible. If you are using your vehicle for the trip during the year 2009, you may deduct 24 cents per mile. You may include
tolls and parking fees.
4. The full cost of postage or other delivery expenses for GF purchases made by mail order are deductible.
If you are audited you may need a letter from your doctor indicating that you have Celiac Disease and must adhere to a Gluten-free
diet for life. You will also need substantiation of the expenses in the form of receipts, cash register tapes or cancelled checks for
your GF purchases and a schedule showing how you computed your deductions for the GF foods.
The total amount of your deduction for GF foods should be added to your other medical expenses that are reported on Schedule A
of your form 1040. Do not include your doctor’s letter, your receipts or your schedule showing how you computed your deduction.
Save these documents which should be submitted only in the event you are audited by the IRS or your state’s taxing authority.If you are audited and the auditor tells you that these items are not deductible, refer to the
If you itemize your deductions you may take as a medical expense,
the extra costs you sustain due to your dietary limitations, as follows:
1. You may deduct the cost of Gluten-Free (GF) food that is in EXCESS of the cost of the gluten containing food that you are
replacing. For example, if a loaf of gluten-free bread costs $5.00 and a comparable loaf of gluten containing bread costs $2.50, you
may include in your medical expenses the excess cost of $2.50.
2. The full cost of special items needed for a GF diet may be deducted. An example is the cost of XANTHAN GUM (methyl
cellulose) used in GF home baked items, which is completely different than anything used in an ordinary recipe.
3. If you make a special trip to a specialty store to purchase GF foods, the actual cost of your transportation to and from the store
is deductible. If you are using your vehicle for the trip during the year 2009, you may deduct 24 cents per mile. You may include
tolls and parking fees.
4. The full cost of postage or other delivery expenses for GF purchases made by mail order are deductible.
If you are audited you may need a letter from your doctor indicating that you have Celiac Disease and must adhere to a Gluten-free
diet for life. You will also need substantiation of the expenses in the form of receipts, cash register tapes or cancelled checks for
your GF purchases and a schedule showing how you computed your deductions for the GF foods.
The total amount of your deduction for GF foods should be added to your other medical expenses that are reported on Schedule A
of your form 1040. Do not include your doctor’s letter, your receipts or your schedule showing how you computed your deduction.
Save these documents which should be submitted only in the event you are audited by the IRS or your state’s taxing authority.If you are audited and the auditor tells you that these items are not deductible, refer to the
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Alpha Carotene
Alpha Carotene
Alpha-carotene is part of the carotenoid family. Your body converts alpha and beta-carotene into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the maintenance of healthy skin and bones, good vision, and a strong immune system. Alpha-carotene is called a precursor to vitamin A. Alpha-carotene is only about half as effective as another well-known carotenoid called beta-carotene. However, alpha-carotene may be even more effective than beta-carotene in its role as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are enzymes that stop free radicals from causing cells to break down, or oxidize. Alpha-carotene removes destructive free radicals from the body before they cause the tissue damage that can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
A new study published on Nov 22, 2010 online in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that high dietary intake of alpha-carotene may help prevent death risk from heart disease and cancer.
Alpha-carotene contains antioxidant substances called flavanoids. They give color and flavor to many orange- and red-colored fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain Alpha carotene include; Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, brussels sprouts, kiwi, spinach, mangos, squash, and spinach.
Gini Warner, MA
Clinical Nutritionist
www.healthbygini.com
Alpha-carotene is part of the carotenoid family. Your body converts alpha and beta-carotene into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the maintenance of healthy skin and bones, good vision, and a strong immune system. Alpha-carotene is called a precursor to vitamin A. Alpha-carotene is only about half as effective as another well-known carotenoid called beta-carotene. However, alpha-carotene may be even more effective than beta-carotene in its role as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are enzymes that stop free radicals from causing cells to break down, or oxidize. Alpha-carotene removes destructive free radicals from the body before they cause the tissue damage that can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
A new study published on Nov 22, 2010 online in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that high dietary intake of alpha-carotene may help prevent death risk from heart disease and cancer.
Alpha-carotene contains antioxidant substances called flavanoids. They give color and flavor to many orange- and red-colored fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain Alpha carotene include; Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, brussels sprouts, kiwi, spinach, mangos, squash, and spinach.
Gini Warner, MA
Clinical Nutritionist
www.healthbygini.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
"The Gluten Free Edge"
My new book "The Gluten Free Edge" is now available for preorder! Please go to my website http://www.healthbygini.com/ to place your order! Fabulous gluten-free recipes.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Calcium and Celiac Disease
Most of our calcium absorption takes place in the proximal portion of the small intestine. This is the area that is damaged by celiac disease. Therefore, many people with celiac disease have osteoporosis due to poor absorption of calcium. Calcium in the diet is important for strong bones and teeth. Most people think about consuming dairy products as a way to increase calcium intake. There are actually many other sources of dietary calcium that are lower in fat than dairy products. These non-dairy sources do not contain the enzyme lactose. This is beneficial for those with celiac disease who are also lactose intolerant. To learn more contact me at www.healthbygini.com
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