The fact that there is such a thing as gluten free bread is a food engineering miracle. Keeping that fact in mind may alleviate a bit of the taste of your first slice. Gluten free bread is heavier and gluier than regular gluten saturated bread. But don’t despair. Over the weeks, your taste buds will change and begin to enjoy gluten free bread. You have to stick to your gluten free diet, though.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, like wheat, rye, oats and barley. So any foods made from these grains are off limits to those with gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. There are at least three million sufferers, known as Celiacs, in America alone, according to the National Institute of Health. It is unknown exactly why a body used to gluten suddenly rejects it. It is thought that perhaps overindulgence in gluten-rich foods like cake, bread, cereals, crackers and pasta might throw a body’s digestive system off.

Gluten intolerance usually strikes in adulthood. The diet changes necessary can seem overwhelming at first. Food and beverage companies have been quick to help meet the needs of Celiacs. And so there is gluten free bread. Instead of being made of wheat flour, gluten free bread is usually made of rice flour and/or corn flour. It is easily available in many major supermarket chains in England. Supermarkets in America are beginning to stock gluten free bread, too, but you might have to hunt for it in health food stores like the chain Whole Foods Market.

Or, Make It Yourself

If you have a bread maker and an adventurous spirit, you can make your own gluten free bread. Even if you don’t have a specialty bread making machine, you can use any loaf, cake or muffin pans you have lying about. Bread doesn’t have to always be in the classic loaf shape in order to be tasty and nutritious.

There are many gluten-free recipes available online and in the bookstores. If you go to www.celiac.com, you can find recipes for bread machines or for pans and tins. You can also find dessert bread recipes like Banana Bread and gingerbread. You can even find recipes for Irish soda bread, cornbread and pancakes. You might have a hard time finding the gluten free ingredients if you do not live near a big city. Rice flour can sometimes be found in Asian foods specialty stores. Online, there is The Gluten-Free Mall.