Creative, clean and allergens-free

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I used to hate spending time in the kitchen. Whenever my mom or grandma would call me to help them, I ran away. Now, I am a wife and mother myself, and I'm faced with gluten and dairy allergens on a daily basis. It is up to me to make meals, breads, pastries and treats as creatively, healthy and yummy as possible.

Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye.

Gluten intolerance is sometimes confused with Celiac disease or thought of as a food allergy. While avoiding particular foods is a treatment strategy for both, these are not the same conditions.

Food intolerances such as gluten, involve the digestive system. When a food allergy, causes the immune system to overreact to a particular food, it causes symptoms that are potentially serious and can have an impact on your everyday life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine, and it cannot absorb enough nutrients. This may lead to malnutrition to a lack of vitamins/minerals.

The intestinal damage often causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating or anaemia. It also can lead to serious complications if it is not managed or treated. In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.

There's no definite cure for celiac disease. But for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and help the intestines heal.

It seems that adopting a gluten-free diet in South Africa has transformed into a popular trend rather than addressing a genuine medical concern. The incidence of obesity is increasing, and many individuals are experiencing unexplained illness, often due to insufficient understanding about gluten intolerance.

Eliminating gluten from your diet can be both intimidating and costly if you lack the knowledge and skills needed to enhance your health and that of your loved ones.

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