People who have been sick and tired of getting sick and tired, it is high time that they look into what is going into their stomach…Eating clean and healthy is the key to a clean and healthy body.

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, spelt, contaminated oats, and rye. It is a protein; an ingredient that lends elasticity to a dough. It is most commonly used as a flavoring agent in confectionary items. However, in the past few years, it has been observed that more and more number of people in the US are switching over to a gluten free diet; and this accounts for the reason that there is a huge variety of gluten free packaged foods on the shelves of grocery stores all over the US.

Read on further to learn some important related facts:

Processed foods are known to provide ready availability and ease of consumption; but then, they have a high content of preservatives and artificial flavoring, and are high in gluten.
For instance, gluten free bread is a much more looked for substitute in the current times as people are becoming more aware about health and health related foods. Bread items such as pastries seem to be tempting but have unhealthy carbohydrates. And so, pizza bases, biscuits, flour mixes, and cakes are now being manufactured gluten free.
Fried foods, deserts and confectionary contain high levels of gluten.
A gluten free diet has a multitude of benefits: Decreases cholesterol level; Promotes optimum functioning of the digestive system; Increases energy levels and efficiency; Lowers risk of diabetes; Avoids certain cancers; and Fortifies immune system.
A gluten free diet ensures a lesser intake of unhealthy oils; and so, a non-gluten diet is good for the heart.
Gluten free diet includes more consumption of fruits and vegetables, potatoes, rice, and likewise.

In US, since there is an extensive availability of gluten free bread, it is now possible for recipes to be gluten free. However, recipes like croutons, bagels, pizza crust, crackers, toast, flour tortilla, sandwich wrap, pancake mix, cereal, flour dredging, and breadcrumbs, are not gluten free.

It is advisable for all diet conscious people to check labels on canned and prepared soups, tomato paste, prepared beverages, instant coffees, flavored teas, flavored yogurts, and ice creams.

However, people in America needn’t worry since it offers a recreated range of veggie sandwich thins, pizza crust, and bread that are not only gluten-free, but are also low in carbs and calories; yet, are delicious on the taste buds; making healthy eating no more a challenge.