"What is Gluten???"

Gluten. It's a new word that seems to have come out of no where. We hear of many people even celebrities talking about their new eating habits. I, for one, am one of them. But what exactly is gluten anyway? When discussing with some family and friends that start to notice my "new" eating habits, they are all scratching their heads wondering "WHAT ON EARTH IS IT?"

To put it quite simply, gluten is a protein present in wheat and other cereal grains that gives it the elastic texture and helps the dough to rise and keep its form. Other grains would include barley, rye, and some oats. So think of gluten as the "glue" in basic bakery items. But not only is it found in food, but it's also found in many other products such as hair products, makeup, and facial products. Now why would these industries feel the need to put this in these products, something I have yet to understand.

Gluten free foods have been created for many people out there that have become intolerant to gluten. Although gluten sounds very important for any bakery side since it keeps its form, many non gluten eaters find gluten free foods unappealing. Yes, since the "glue" in gluten free breads and other items are taken out, it
does make the texture a lot more crumbly. But as in any new habit, it takes a while for your body to get use to it. (And not all of them come out crumbly.)

It does seem as though that being intolerant to gluten is becoming more popular over the past few years. Our food industry has been shoving wheat in our faces with all the bread, pizza, and just everything! Not to mention that the wheat, in itself, is not the purest form. The wheat nowadays have become polluted by all the herbicides and pesticides. The wheat has become contaminated by the whole process that it has been depleted from its nutrients. Its just not what it use to be.

XoXo,

Rebecca