Walk down any aisle in the grocery store and you’ll find labels that proclaim the product “gluten-free.” Gluten is a kind of protein that is found in some grain products, like those made with wheat, barley, or rye. Gluten-free diets are all the rage in the health and fitness world, but would a gluten-free diet make a difference for your senior relative?
Experts say that only certain people will benefit from following a gluten-free diet.
Who Should Go Gluten-Free?
About 2 percent of people have a condition called celiac disease. Their bodies cannot tolerate gluten, and eating it causes intestinal damage. Other people have a sensitivity to gluten that makes them feel bad when they eat it, so they may do better if they cut gluten from their diet. A wheat allergy can also make it necessary to avoid gluten.
For most people, though, eating a gluten-free diet can just be an expensive way to eat, and one that makes them eat too little fiber. In addition, many foods that are gluten-free contain excess fat or salt to improve their taste.
Eating Gluten-Free
If the older adult in your life does have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, following a gluten-free diet can be difficult. Some foods that you may not expect to contain gluten, do. The best way to avoid gluten is to read food labels. Food manufacturers are required to list grains that contain gluten on the labels, so watch for wheat, rye, barley, triticale, or any products made from them. Also, watch for labels that state the product us gluten-free since a food manufacturer cannot label the food as such unless it contains 20 parts per million or less of gluten.
Some good food choices for people who need to avoid gluten are:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meats
- Seafood
- Dairy
- Beans
- Legumes
- Nuts
Grains and starches that do not contain gluten include:
- Rice
- Corn
- Soy
- Quinoa
- Yucca
- Potato
- Chia
A senior care provider can help your aging relative to avoid foods that contain gluten. It can be hard for older adults with vision problems to read the small print on food labels. A senior care provider can grocery shop with them and help by reading labels. A senior care provider can also help with planning healthy, gluten-free meals. Senior care providers can also prepare meals for the older adult, as well as helping them to clean up afterward.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elderly Care in Lafayette, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
Sources
https://celiac.org
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