Millions of Americans follow a gluten free diet.  Some do because they are gluten sensitive or have food allergies.  Others follow a gluten free diet because they have celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a disorder that makes the body reacts to gluten.  When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, there is a reaction by the immune system to the gluten which can damage the villi of the small intestine.  When the villi are damaged, numerous health issues can arise along with malnutrition from the bodies inhibited ability to absorb the nutrients from food

Following a gluten free diet can be difficult, especially in the beginning.  You have to be aware of all of the ingredients on the food that you eat.  You even have to know about the ingredients that are not posted on the label. 

Gluten contamination occurs when the food you are eating was at some point in contact with a gluten containing food.  This can happen during the processing of the food if the gluten free foods were on the same line as a food containing gluten.  It can happen during the packaging foods as well.  It can even happen in the kitchen from gluten free foods coming into contact with countertops, cooking wear or even the oven when they have been in contact with foods containing gluten.

It is best to use a gluten free guide while shopping to ensure that your foods are gluten free and have not been gluten contaminated.  A good gluten free shopping guide can save you a lot of time, guesswork, and can improve your health from reducing the risk of containing gluten containing foods.