Gluten free diets are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, as well as many other parts of the world. This shift in the way we eat is in part due to a growing number of people who are intolerant to this particular protein. Others are simply making a choice to eliminate, or reduce, gluten intake due to a growing awareness of the impact over consumption of gluten can have on our health.

Alongside the growing gluten free trend, a number of gluten free cafes and gluten free recipe creators have emerged to help people transition to this new dietary regime. Healthy Luxe, mother daughter nutrition duo are amongst the gluten free content creators in Australia who create healthy, delicious recipes catering to a range of dietary requirements. The Healthy Luxe duo have a recipe app (called Healthy Luxe) which has over 300 healthy gluten free recipes. The app has almost 400 recipes in total and majority of recipes that do contain gluten, offer a gluten free alternative/substitute. This app is a great place to locate healthy gluten free recipes that are delicious and easy to prepare.

 Why eat Gluten Free?

Gluten is the collective name for proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. The name is latin in origin and means ‘glue’, aptly describing it’s characteristic properties. One only needs to think of paper mache to demonstrate this feature. Given that a simple mixture of wheat flour and water has the ability to bind newspaper and harden into a plaster like end product, suggests that it may be worth at least questioning whether it is good for our health to be consuming such vast quantities, especially with much of today’s wheat containing significantly more gluten, often with additional harmful chemicals such as glyphosate (round up).  

Finding gluten free products was once a significant challenge for those requiring to avoid this protein for known medical reasons. That is, those suffering with Coeliac Disease (CD), an auto-immune disorder whereby gluten triggers an inflammatory immune response which destroys the small villi inside the intestinal walls, leading to severely impeded nutrient absorption and consequent nutrient deficiency. The symptoms may be acute, for example diarrhoea and abdominal pain with even minute quantities of gluten exposure, or there may not be any obvious symptoms for a number of years.

Here are some quick tips for starting out on your gluten free lifestyle:

 • Avoid highly processed, pesticide and preservative-laden products

 • Try not to consume gluten at every meal i.e. you can reduce rather than eliminate to begin • Keep a diet and symptom diary to observe symptom patterns, after eating gluten containing products, e.g. fatigue, headaches, digestive disturbances, ‘foggy brain’

• Experiment by abstaining from gluten for a period of time (ideally one month) and record any difference you notice in symptoms, energy levels etc

Even if you do not yet experience any symptoms, it can be beneficial to reduce gluten intake, without having to cut it out entirely. If you’re unsure of where to start we recommend downloading the Healthy Luxe app for lots of healthy gluten free recipes and be inspired by how easy and delicious gluten free eating can be! Many people who begin to reduce their gluten intake feel lighter, clearer and more energised.