Gluten Free Diet Many patients with Nephrotic Syndrome may benefit from a gluten free diet because it generally decreases inflammation throughout the body. It is important to first discuss any diet changes with your nephrologist or nutritionist, especially if you have compromised kidney function. What is gluten? Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale and their derivatives. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together. Gluten can be found in many types of foods, even ones that would not be expected. Gluten was not regularly consumed by humans until relatively recently. Many humans have not yet adapted to digesting gluten, which is correlated with the cause of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Where is Gluten Found? Wheat is commonly found in: Bread Baked Goods Soups Pasta Cereal Salad Dressing Sauces Roux Barley is commonly found in: Malt Food Coloring Soups Malt Vinegar Beer Rye is commonly found in: Rye Bread Rye Beer Cereals Tritacale is commonly found in: Breads Pastas Cereals * Triticale is a newer grain, specifically grown to have a similar quality as wheat, while being tolerant to a variety of growing conditions like rye. What is a Gluten Free Diet? A gluten-free diet is one which excludes the protein gluten, thus no wheat, barley, grain, triticale or any of their derivatives.The gluten-free diet is a treatment for celiac disease. Some people who don’t have celiac disease may have symptoms when they eat gluten, however. This is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity who have other autoimmune disorders or inflammatory responses may benefit from a gluten-free diet. Before making any changes to your diet you should contact your nephrologist or nutritionist. How do I start a Gluten Free Diet? Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change, and like anything new, it takes some getting used to. You may initially feel deprived by the diet’s restrictions, especially if you are not having troubling symptoms. It may help to try to focus on all the foods you can eat instead of the foods you shouldn’t eat. You may be pleasantly surprised to realize how many gluten-free products, such as bread and pasta, are now available. Step 1: Remove all foods in your kitchen that contain gluten (if your entire household is not doing a gluten free diet, it may be helpful to divide gluten free food onto a separate shelf in the pantry and fridge). Step 2: Create a meal plan for at least one week that includes 3 meals a day and snacks and make a shopping list NKI’s Printable Gluten Free Shopping List (PDF) Step 3: Take a list of food ingredients that contain gluten including derivatives to help you when reading food labels at the store. NKI’s Printable Sources of Gluten (PDF) Step 4: Keep a journal of how you feel and stick with the gluten free diet for at least 6 weeks. Helpful Resources and Links Printable Shopping Resources: Gluten Free Shopping List (PDF) Sources of Gluten(PDF) Recipe and product sites: Simplygluten-free.com Glutenfreeliving.com Bobsredmill.com http://healthyheartmarket.com/glutenfreefoods.aspx Blogs Glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com mywholefoodlife.com Do you have gluten free resources you love? Please share them with NKI at patientinfo@nephcure.org