Getting honest about gluten by, Cookbook Author Gina Meyers (Gluten-Free Polenta Bread Recipe too!)

Getting Honest About Gluten

By, Gina Meyers

Many people have an issue with  gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, tritrale, and rye. People with a condition known as Celiac disease have a sensitivity to gluten. A gluten-free regime is a lifestyle that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten, in individuals who suffer from Celiac disease, causes an inflammation in the small intestines. It is believed that restricting rye, wheat, and barley from one's diet, reduces symptoms of Celiac disease and helps prevent complications of the disease. 

Luckily, a lot of grocery stores and restaurants are getting on board with Gluten-Free products and Gluten-Free Menu items. These handy tips and Gluten-Free Polenta Bread will help you to organize your Gluten-Free cabinet. Surprisingly, many foods do contain gluten, be on the lookout for: Bouillons, Broths, Licorice Candy, Salad Dressings, Flavored teas, Imitation seafood and Soup and soup mixes.

Good Gluten-Free Foods are: Beans, seeds, nuts in their natural, unprocessed form,Fresh eggs,Fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated),Fruits and vegetables, Most dairy products, Amaranth,Arrowroot, Buckwheat, Corn and cornmeal, Flax, Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean),Hominy (corn), Millet, Quinoa, Rice, Sorghum, Soy, and Tapioca.

Gluten Free Polenta Bread

1 cup of rice flour or almond flour, your preference

1 cup of Polenta

3 teaspoons of baking powder

½ teaspoon of salt

½ cup of sugar

1 egg

1 cup of low fat milk

¼ cup of vegetable oil

Directions: Place all of ingredients (except rice flour) in mixing bowl and blend with a wooden spoon. Once mixture has been mixed, add the rice flour and continue stirring. Add a little bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil or spray with cooking spray an 8 inch pan and pour polenta mixture into rectangular shaped pan.  Bake in a 350 degree oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes. May also bake as muffins in muffin tins for 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. 

Cookbook Author Gina Meyers Website