Gluten And Cake: What You Need To Know

Visiting a cake bakery is a delicious experience for most shoppers. But it can also be confusing. With all the attention that gluten is given, you may be left wondering why you should care about it and what it has to do with your cake of choice.

Do you really need to choose a gluten-free cake if you want to treat yourself to a healthy baked good? The answer to this question is complex, at best. If you're questioning the whether you should pick a traditional cake or a gluten-free version, take a look at what you need to know about gluten, what it does and if it's something that you should eat.

What is Gluten?

Despite what you may have heard, gluten isn't the 'bad guy' of the nutritional world. It's actually a protein commonly found in barley, wheat, and rye. In other words, it's a protein that you'd usually find in most bread and baked goods.

Are Gluten-Free Baked Goods Healthier?

Gluten has gotten plenty of attention lately — as has the gluten-free diet. The idea that gluten-free products are healthier or in some way more nutritious isn't necessarily true. And it's not based on dietary science. Unless you have a known allergy or sensitivity to gluten, avoiding it won't help you to lose weight or feel 'better.'

Who Should Avoid Gluten?

Anyone with a gluten allergy/sensitivity or a condition such as celiac disease should avoid the ingredient. In these cases, gluten can cause a host of problems, ranging from discomfort to major issues such as liver damage. Keep in mind; only a qualified medical professional can diagnose (and treat) a gluten allergy, intolerance, sensitivity or related condition. Never attempt to self-diagnose yourself.

What Symptoms Indicate a Gluten Allergy or Issues?

There are a variety of symptoms that are gluten intolerance red flags. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation or chronic fatigue. These symptoms typically come with no other medical explanation and will persist until gluten is removed from the diet. Again, only a doctor or qualified medical professional can evaluate and diagnose gluten-related disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, bring them to the attention of your doctor immediately.

Are There Ways to Avoid Gluten?

If you do have a true gluten-related medical issue, you don't have to give up bread, cake or anything else that you would normally eat. Even though you can't eat anything that has gluten-containing flour in the ingredients, you can eat items that are made with substitutes.

Do you have a gluten intolerance? A trip to the cake bakery is still completely possible. Ask your baker for a full ingredient list if you're not sure what the cake, bread, cupcake or another type of food has in it.

For more information, contact a bakery like Sugarland Cakes today!