GLUTEN-FREE ANCIENT GRAINS

Course overview

The gluten-free diet is a necessity for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It is also a lifestyle choice for many people. Those on gluten-free diets typically do not consume enough servings of grain products, leaving them at risk for dietary deficiencies and contributing to a lack of variety in the gluten-free diet. Ancient gluten-free grains such as amaranth, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, quinoa and teff are often omitted from the diet due to unfamiliarity with the grains, confusion on which grains contain gluten, and lack of knowledge as to how to cook or use the grains. Dietitians should ensure that their clients are familiar with the ancient gluten-free grains and provide education regarding a gluten-free diet and how to shop safely for gluten-free grains to avoid unintentional gluten contamination.