This post was written as part of my partnership with Zemas Madhouse Foods. All opinions are my own.
It seems like gluten free diets and talk about Celiac Disease are everywhere these days. For some, gluten-free is this month’s diet “flavor of the day,” but for people with Celiac Disease, it is a lifelong MUST do. And of course with the rise of this new trend, and other food related trends, there is plenty of misinformation out there. Two of the most common misconceptions are that children can “outgrow” celiac and that it is an allergy to wheat. Another one is that gluten is in almost all foods. Take this fact versus fiction quiz from the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center to get the basic facts.
Here are some more facts from the National Foundation For Celiac Disease‘s Celiac Awareness Month Toolkit (Excerpt)
Fast Facts: Celiac Disease
- Celiac disease is a hereditary, genetically based autoimmune disease that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
- An estimated 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, yet 83% are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. [Some sites suggest that 97% are not diagnosed or misdiagnosed]
- 6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be diagnosed.
- There is no pharmaceutical cure for celiac disease. The only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
- A tiny bit of gluten is enough to make some one with celiac disease sick
Fast Facts: Gluten Free Diet
- Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
- Naturally gluten-free foods include fresh fruits and vegetables (with no sauces added), nuts, beans and seeds, fresh fish and meats (with no gravies or sauces added).
- Some grains are naturally gluten-free. Look for grains that are labeled “gluten-free.”
- Gluten-free does not necessarily means a food is healthier; many gluten-free prepackaged foods are higher in sugar and calories than their gluten-containing counterparts.
If you think you may have Celiac Disease, or gluten intolerance, check out this checklist NFCA’s Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist. There are also tons of great resources from the University of Chicago’s Celiac Center here. Finds’ friend, Alissa (the blogger behind Breaking up with Captain Crunch) answered some of my questions about Celiac last year and told about her experience in her usual humorous way HERE.
I am fortunate, I do not have Celiac Disease or even a serious gluten intolerance. However, last year I did an elimination diet as a result of an extensive blood panel for inflammations. Wheat was one of the biggest offenders. During that time, and since, I have been looking for the best gluten free products for when I am able to choose/make my own food. One of the cool things that I have noticed is that gluten free products are now being made with an eye toward nutrition. Instead of swapping gluten and creating processed gluten-free junk foods, new artisan food companies have a laser focus on health and nutrition.
One of the awesome companies I found is Zemas Madhouse Foods. I first tried their products after the Title 9K and then was asked to try them out for a review. Zema’s has a line of ancient whole grain gluten-free baking mixes and recipes for delicious, nutrient-packed baked goods. Zemas gluten-free mixes are the only products free of the top eight food allergens, and are made in an allergen-free facility. Ingredients are non-GMO and made without refined sweeteners. The pancake and waffle mixes are delicious and great for families with food allergies, too!
All Zemas products are made with its superseed trio (chia, hemp and flax meal) with omega-3’s, fiber, and protein. Zemas mixes are derived from ancient grains, such as amaranth, quinoa flakes and millet. These grains provide a natural source of nutrients and are easy to digest.
Zemas has a ton of recipes online. These recipes are for everyone, not just those with food intolerances. This Memorial Day, you can try these Lemon or Key Lime Bars or Magic Bars. Bonus: No one will even notice how good for you they are!
Zemas Madhouse Foods mixes are available at Artizone, Abe’s Market, Whole Foods, specialty stores and online. You can also keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter!
I learned some new things with this post and I hope you did, too! Check out Zemas Madhouse Foods for some awesome, nutritious recipes and products. And keep an eye out here for more from the folks at Zemas, too!
PS. Don’t forget to check out and enter my 3 active giveaways!