Gluten-Free Challenge: Are You Ready?

Do you know someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance and wonder about their diet?

Does your family or friends have the impression that a gluten-free diet tastes bad?

Do you want to be supportive of someone following a gluten-free diet?

You are invited to take the Gluten-Free Challenge.

Gluten-Free meals can taste great! Sign up for the Gluten-Free Challenge (www.GoGFChallenge.com) to learn more! Starting April 21st, you will receive a “Recipe of the Day” and “Tip of the Day” for a month. Use these tasty recipes and tips to learn about gluten-free eating. On the weekend of May 22, we challenge you to eat gluten-free for the weekend. Dine with a gluten-free family member or friend to show your support and awareness of celiac disease, gluten intolerances and being gluten-free.

Bring everyone to the table to enjoy the same food.

Sign up for the Gluten-Free Challenge (www.GoGFChallenge.com) now! Win prizes while you learn and support people living a gluten-free lifestyle!

The Gluten-Free Challenge is a joint awareness project of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America and Pamela’s Products.

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Are you ready for the challenge? Here are some FAQ from the Gluten-Free Challenge website.

Living gluten-free or living with someone who is gluten-free can be confusing. We hope these Frequently Asked Questions (and the Gluten-Free Challenge) will change that. For more information visit the Gluten Intolerance Group.

What is gluten?
The quick and easy answer is that gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and (sometimes) oats. (Oats need to be certified gluten-free to ensure that they are, in fact, gluten-free).

Why is avoiding gluten important?
For some, gluten can be toxic. There are many conditions such as Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and other illnesses that render gluten toxic to the body. Although some people have chosen to avoid gluten simply because they feel better, it is generally a medical condition that needs attention. If you believe that gluten is making you sick please check the Gluten Intolerance Group's website for more information.

What is the treatment for Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?
A lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.

If I need to follow a gluten-free diet, or one of my friends or loved ones does, what food can we eat?
There are amazing options for living gluten-free and enjoying the food. Gone are the days of dry, crumbly cookies and bread that tasted like the packaging it came in. There are companies such as Pamela's Products that have devoted themselves to delicious gluten-free food, and you can create your own wonderful dishes. The following grains & starches are allowed (taken from the Gluten Intolerance Group's website): Rice, Corn, Soy, Potato, Tapioca, Beans, Garfava, Sorghum, Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat, Arrowroot, Amaranth, Tef, Montina®, Nut Flours.

The following grains contain gluten and are not allowed: Wheat (durum, semolina, kamut, spelt), Rye, Barley, Triticale. For a more complete list visit the Gluten Intolerance Group's website.

Where can I find more recipes?
Visit the Pamela's Products website and click on Recipes. Also, check back to our "How's It Going" blog for other participant's comments. You can also search online for gluten-free recipes or visit your local bookstore and pick up a gluten-free cookbook.

What if I'm the only gluten-free person in my family?
GREAT! Invite the other members of your family to join you in the challenge. We don't want to make them live gluten-free forever, just for one weekend. Our hope is that they'll gain a better understanding for what you face everyday.