Is Your Gluten Free Diet Healthy?

You don't have to be a coeliac to benefit from a gluten free diet.  In fact more and more of us it seems are finding benefits from cutting out the gluten grains wheat, barley and rye.  If you are finding these grains difficult to digest it's important to seek advice from your GP or nutritionist to rule out coeliac disease and ensure you are optimally nourished.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition affecting 1 in 100 of the population, whereby an immune reaction to the ingestion of gluten leads to damage to the mucosa of the small intestine. If diagnosed it is important you cut out all forms of gluten - and this is for life. However recent research published in an Irish Medical Paper by two gastroenterologists has shown that in some cases of coeliac disease other intervention may also be needed to control the symptoms, reduce inflammation and enable the gut to heal 

While this case study used medications to reduce inflammation there is also a role for nutritional supplementation to promote healing of the gut, lower inflammation and reduce the presence of gluten peptides in the gut.  In addition as nutritional deficiencies are common whenever there is compromised digestion it is important to seek nutritional support to ensure you are optimally nourished.   At Advance Nutrition as well as helping you plan a healthy diet we will support you nutritionally - helping address underlying imbalances, enabling the body to heal and function optimally.

Advance Nutrition specialises in all forms of allergy free diets including gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy and corn free, specific carbohydrate diet and GAPs diets.  We treat everyone on an individual basis and recommend key supplements if necessary to optimise your health.  Contact us for information about how we can help you

We also produce a whole range of allergy free from recipes which are healthy and nutritious - visit our website and check out my latest web blogs for some great recipes

FREE FROM AWARDS UPDATE

We've had a fantastic time over the last couple of weeks tasting a huge range of wonderful Free From Foods - from superfoods, pastries, breads, cakes, drinks, ready meals, desserts and more!.  We discovered some amazing new products too that I can't wait to try again. 

The shortlist will be announced in a couple of weeks and the winners announced in April.  For further news about the shortlists keep checking my facebook page as I will post details as soon as they are revealed.

Don't Forget to Enter our Kara Prize Giveaway!

If you're looking for a healthy, nutritious alternative to dairy then you must try Kara Coconut Milk.

Made from freshly pressed coconut milk.  Kara is naturally free of lactose, cow’s milk protein, soya and gluten. Ideal for anyone with lactose, cow’s milk protein, soya or gluten intolerance. It is also fortified with calcium and most importantly tastes fantastic.  Not only great as a drink it is perfect for adding to a whole range of sweet and savoury recipes.

If you want to try this great drink for FREE then enter our prize giveaway competition - closing date is this Saturday 18th February 2012 so get entering.  All you have to do is email me your name and address or send me a message on facebook or tweet me @ AdvNut

We have packs of Kara to give away to three lucky readers - so get posting!

Loving Super Greens

I love super greens - they are packed full of nutrients and health promoting benefits.

We all know we should eat our greens but the reality is many of us fall short. So if you’re looking for an easy way to supercharge your health over the winter months try adding some green superfoods. 

These gorgeous green foods are readily available as capsules and powders making them convenient to use, with no messy juicing required. Since a little of the concentrated powder goes a long way in terms of nutrition, you can easily sneak them in a whole range of recipes. 

A keen favourite is Spirulina. Protein rich (contains 60% protein) spirulina is an edible blue green algae which contains a wide range of vitamins including C,E, B complex and beta-carotene plus iron, essential amino acids, fatty acids and enzymes.  Easy to digest and assimilate it is great instant health booster.

I love Creative Nature's spirulina powder.  Whether you simply add it to juices, smoothies or incorporate it into recipes it is a fantastic health booster.

If you fancy trying this great spirulina powder you're in luck - the lovely lovely team at Creative Nature are offering 3 packs as a prize giveaway.

Yes another great giveaway.  Enter today by emailing me your details or Facebook me or tweet me @AdvNut

This is the perfect gift to supercharge energy levels and optimise your health so get posting!

Want to try it in a recipe?  See my blog and try my delicious spirulina energy bars - gluten and dairy free and so so healthy!!

Want to see me Cooking Gluten Free Recipes?

Looking for some healthy gluten free ideas?  Then book on to my Gluten Free Solutions Cookery Day on March 11th.  Held at CNELM in Wokingham, Berkshire this will be a fantastic day for trying a whole range of delicious dishes.  Whether you are looking for great tasting breads, muffins, cakes, pastries or new ideas for making the most of gluten free grains and flours this is the perfect day for you.  

The day runs from 11am until 4pm and costs just £50

During the day you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of dishes and receive nutritional tips and ideas too.

To book contact Chris Neil at CNELM.  Places are limited so book your place today  

If you can't attend remember you can order my gluten free e-books for additional healthy recipe ideas

Flipping Good Gluten Free Pancakes

Yes it's nearly pancake day.  My kids love pancakes and as Isaac is gluten and dairy free we love experimenting with new mixes and flavourings.  Last weekend we made up a huge batch of delicious, healthy protein packed blinis - gluten and dairy free.  We will definately be making these again on Tuesday!!

Find the recipe on my blog and ENJOY!!

Wishing you all a Healthy, Happy Week

Christine