What is 'gluten-free' and what is its relevance to a vegan diet?

Question

im thinking that this is in referance to wheat gluten? am i totally wrong on that?

but if thats right, i have no idea why wheat would be something to hold out of a vegan diet? i just dont understand...

any answers from anyone???

Answer 1

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, such as wheat, corn, oats, barley, spelt, and other grains.  In my case, I have celiac sprue, which makes it impossible for me to digest gluten in any form, so I avoid it completely (easier said than done)!  Most vegans and vegetarians, however, eat a diet high in gluten, which is a main ingredient in many/most veg foods, such as the mock meats and meat analogs.   Wheat based foods are typically very common in a veg diet, so perhaps you just got some misinformation?  If a person has wheat allergies, or celiac, then they would avoid gluten regardless of what type of diet they eat.  I will say, that it does present a lot of restrictions on a veg diet, but I manage just fine, now that I am used to it.  On the flip side, many strict vegans will avoid ENRICHED wheat (or rice, pasta, cereal, etc) since enriched wheat is "enriched" with animal derived vitamins-a vegan who knows about this would avoid any form of "enriched" wheat, but would likely still eat organic, whole wheat or gluten products.  Its all a matter of degree, I would think.

Answer 2

Gluten is  a protein  found in some grains. Gluten-Free has nothing to to do with vegans.

Answer 3

Yes GLUTEN refers to Wheat as well as Rye, Barley & quite a few other grains.

It is a highly allergic ingredient, in fact there is a disease call Celiac(silly-yak) Sprue Disease. The Intestines are made impotent from the ingestion of even 1/20th of a teaspoon of Gluten. It is majorly serious & untreated even leads to cancers.

Treatment is simple: NO GLUTEN in any from in your diet.

Yes GLUTEN refers to Wheat as well as Rye, Barley & quite a few other grains & anything made with them.

It is a highly allergic ingredient.

Also in fact is a disease call Celiac(silly-yak) Sprue Disease. The Intestines are made impotent from the ingestion of even 1/20th of a teaspoon of Gluten. It is majorly serious & untreated even leads to cancers.

Treatment is simple: NO GLUTEN in any from in your diet.

Now as to how this applies to being Vegan, many people do much better health wise by cutting this out of there diet. Many disease are being found to improve & even disappear on a Gluten Free diet.

MS, Arthritis, are 2, I can think of right off.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2005nl/s...

Answer 4

Some people have an allergy to it.  Vegans who are not allergic certainly would eat it.

Answer 5

They are really totally separate, but because dairy-free and gluten-free are both special dietary needs, you'll find they sort of go hand in hand a lot when you're reading ingredients.

Answer 6

I think it's like wheat free...

Answer 7

Gluten is the protein found in wheat and other grains.  It has nothing to do with veganism.  Most people who avoid gluten do it because they can't digest it; some have celiac disease which can be very serious and some just find that their digestion is improved when they cut back on it.  I think it gets associated with veganism because, as someone pointed out, both are "special diets" and, along with allergies, they get addressed together.  And, of course, some vegans are also gluten intolerant just because some people are.

Answer 8

Nothing to do with veganism. But some people are allergic to gluten.

Answer 9

yeah gluten free is not only wheat free, but also rye, barley, and oats. i'm not sure why they would holf gluten out of a vegan diet, but i hope i helped =)