Researchers Investigate Type of Wheat for Gluten-Free Diets

Yes you read it right.  Researchers have been taking time looking into a type of single grain wheat to see if it is okay for someone on a gluten-free diet.

I know, it is a hard word to digest as even a possibility, but before you start worrying too much, here’s the skinny.

Researchers just published a study in BMC Gastroenterology where scientists tested out Triticum Monococcum (TM). It is an ancient grain also known as Einkorn Wheat.  Researchers want to see if people with celiac disease could tolerate it.  You might be thinking, “Wheat? Are you kidding me?”  Here’s why they are looking into it — researchers believe this kind of wheat may have the capability of NOT being harmful to people with celiac disease.

So what did they find out?  Researchers thought it was tolerated well enough to continue with further study.

This is  not the first study on the subject. Back in 2006, celiac.com reported on this very grain. Back then, the article said “Einkorn is the oldest and most primitive cultivated wheat, and recent studies have shown that it appears to lack gliadin toxicity and may be a safe wheat alternative for those with celiac disease”.

Neither I nor researchers want folks with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease to start consuming this product.  More research is necessary in this area.

It turns out it probably isn’t that easy to find on your grocery store shelves anyway.  I did find a website that sells the Einkorn berries and they request that you grind them yourself to create flour.  Einkorn is considered an ancient grain that has not been touched by the massive hybridization that regular wheat has in the last several decades.  Supporters of Triticum Monococcum aka Einkorn wheat say is high in protein and other vitamins and minerals.

It will be interesting to watch this research develop.  Another highly nutritious grain would be great for people with celiac, but certainly not worth if it is not safe to eat.  We will wait and see on this one.

Tags: celiac, diet, Einkorn, gluten-free, lifestyle, Triticum Monococcum, wheat

I had a crazy moment a few weeks ago when I noticed a rack of  Goodbye Gluten Bread on sale at my local Cub Foods store. The grocery store had set it out in an attempt to draw attention to the new product.  A picture says a thousand words — but it didn’t take that many words in this photo to see how very wrong this sign was.

Exhibit A:  Can you spot two
areas where the sign is wrong?
Signage spotted May 11, 2013 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the errors the way I see it (click on the image to make it larger):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First off, the brand name is not Goodbye Gluten FREE….as far as I am concerned that could be the name of every gluteny bread on store shelves.    It is gluten free bread entitled Goodbye Gluten.

Secondly, WHEAT is NOT an option for people on a gluten free diet!  Believe me if Goodbye Gluten knew that Cub Foods had this kind of ad saying the gluten-free bread had wheat  in it, I think they would NOT be happy.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry.  That was the way a lot of the folks who commented on the picture via The Savvy Celiac Facebook Page felt too. Some thought it was funny, others were surprised, not surprised or even offended.  I can see why some folks might laugh….I did as well, but at the same time, it’s mortifying, proving the lack of education of the gluten-free lifestyle within a company that in the last three or so years has really tried to capitalize on the gluten-free trend.

So I couldn’t help myself, I had to get a hold of the company.  I explained that this is unacceptable.  Anyone who may be new to gluten-free diets may very well NOT by this product based on the signage.  And the sign is a twist of the knife to people who are gluten free reminding them that they can’t eat wheat.

I did send my picture to the marketing brand manager who replied relatively promptly saying “The Goodbye Gluten sign has been corrected.  Thank you for alerting us.  We apologize for the mistake.”

Sure enough, I saw it Monday in all its glory.

Exhibit B: Corrected signage
seen May 20, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glad Cub finally got it right.

Tags: bread, celiac, Cub Foods, gluten-free, wheat

It is a good day.  Disney Channel did the right thing late last night when it pulled its episode of Jessie.  

The episode depicted the stereotypical “nerdy” kid as being gluten free.  Then both kids and adults on the show picked on him for it. I wrote more in depth about the episodes contents  yesterday.  You can see that article here.

But this morning Disney Channel’s Facebook page reported this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are more than 500 comments from people both for and against pulling the episode.  Many of the comments are very harsh from people who are clearly uneducated about the issue.  If you want to read them you can do so on their Facebook page.

What I liked about Disney Channel’s statement was that it was direct, apologetic and didn’t make any excuses.  Thank you Disney for making the right decision.

 

 

Tags: celiac, Disney Channel, gluten-free