Friday, June 27, 2008

Sources Of Hidden Gluten

With Abbi's recent test results we had to look at the bigger picture. Hidden Gluten. Let’s examine the house first. Do you toast your gluten-free bread in the same toaster that is used for wheat-based bread? Do you use a wood cutting boards, gluten may become embedded in them—use a marble cutting board instead. Beware of knives. At breakfast, do the gluten-consuming members of your family spread peanut butter on their toast, and then double-dip to get a little more peanut butter out of the jar? When they double-dip, some of their wheat crumbs may be getting into the jar and will eventually contaminate the dollop you retrieve from the jar If so, get a peanut butter jar just for the gluten free members of your family. Let's look at Non-food items, that pose gluten challenges. The glue used on lickable envelopes and stamps often contains gluten. Self-stick labels and stickers may contain gluten. Do you use latex or rubber gloves to wash dishes? These are often dusted with wheat or oat flour. You should also check with your doctor, dentist, request that they use unpowdered gloves. Gluten also hides in art supplies, such as paints, clay, play dough, and glue. It is also present in many personal items such as lipstick, lip balm, sunscreen, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, skin lotions, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Household products such as cleaning solutions, detergents, even bars of soap may contain gluten. Check medications, frequently they contain gluten. Pills may be dusted with flour during manufacturing and capsules may have the gluten present in the oil inside. Reading labels takes practice. Always read labels, even if its something you purchased in the past, manufactures could change the ingredients.

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