At Festal Cafe, we serve a menu that is made with delicious, natural whole foods that are 100% free of gluten.
What is gluten you ask? Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten acts as the “glue” that holds the grain together and allows it to keep its shape. As such, common foods that contain gluten are breads, cereals, pasta, baked goods, crackers, salad dressings, candy, alcohol and more!
You may be wondering why having a gluten-free menu is important to us. After experiencing some health problems of our own, we began studying the effects of nutrition and learned a great deal about how gluten can potentially be a common allergen and how that can cause an array of symptoms within our bodies. It was very surprising information to encounter, seeing as so many of us are consuming gluten on a daily basis and may not be aware of its detrimental effects.
You may like to read How Are Gluten Free Foods Made?
Gluten sensitivity is a disorder in which the body cannot tolerate gluten. It is not life-threatening; however, it can be uncomfortable and can affect your daily life. There is a wide variety of symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity. Here are some of the most common ones:
· Abdominal Pain
· Bloating
· Diarrhoea
· Constipation
· Nausea
· Headaches
· Brain fog
· Joint pain
· Fatigue
· Neuropathy
· Depression
· Skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and acne
· Anxiety
· Anaemia
As you can see, this is a long list of symptoms. These signs and symptoms may or may not show up immediately following gluten consumption and some symptoms may be more severe for some people than others.
The reason gluten can have such a profound effect on the body is that it is an extremely processed grain in North America. This makes it difficult for our bodies to digest. Since some digestive tracts are not able to break down the gluten-containing grains, it can create a lot of damage to the digestive tract, which can cause the intestinal wall to become damaged and inflamed. This condition is sometimes called Leaky Gut Syndrome and can lead to the inability to absorb nutrients from the diet.
You may be wondering, “well should everyone go gluten-free”? Good question! Some critics consider going gluten-free to be a fad-diet, however for people with Celiac Disease, going gluten-free is an absolute must. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. People with celiac disease have intestinal damage when they eat gluten. People who are gluten intolerant - while they may experience symptoms similar to those with celiac disease, do not have the intestinal damage or antibodies found in those with celiac disease.
Read more about Who Should Eat Gluten Free Food?
If you are experiencing any of the above common symptoms of gluten intolerance, it could benefit you to try a gluten-free diet. You may be surprised by how much better you feel! Luckily for you, there are a ton of resources available with tons of information and recipes so that will help you get started on your journey.
At Festal Cafe, the best gluten free restaurant in Vancouver, it is our joy to educate and encourage our customers to try a new way of eating in a way that supports their health and wellness. It is our goal that all customers alike - whether Celiac, gluten sensitive, or just a regular old foodie enjoy the freshness and flavours of our nutritious and delicious food!
