Spot the Crossed grain label!
The Crossed Grain label is the fastest and easiest way to identify gluten-free foods.
The products bearing this symbol have passed all the tests included in the certification process and are safe foods for a gluten-free diet.

What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley.
Gluten is the only protein in food that the body cannot digest. Important in baking because it provides the elasticity of baked goods, the indestructible molecules of gluten can cause intestinal inflammation in people with celiac disease (according to the Mayo Clinic).

What is celiac disease?
People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, even in small amounts. Just 50 mg of protein is enough to cause problems by triggering an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine.
It can interfere with nutrient absorption and lead to other health problems such as osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage and seizures.
A related condition called non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause similar symptoms, but without intestinal damage.
(https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916)

Gluten-free diet
"A gluten-free diet is essential for people with celiac disease and those with non-celiac sensitivity to gluten. Diet is the only treatment for these conditions. " (dietitian Lori Chong for Live Science)
A gluten-free diet can also help those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, along with low intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. (https://www.livescience.com/53061-gluten-free-diet-facts.html)
The contribution of nuts, hazelnuts and seeds in the gluten-free diet
As with any diet, it is important for those who follow the diet without gluten to receive a balanced supply of nutrients. Among the vegetarian sources of protein, which provide the body with the amino acids it needs, the first on the list are nuts, followed by seeds, tofu, beans and legumes. Also, a lot of heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can be found in seeds, nuts, avocados, olive oil. (Https://nuts.com/healthy-eating/gluten-free-diet)

GLUTEN FREE IN ROMANIA
For a correct information about the diagnosis of celiac disease, legislation, certifications or national projects and events, we invite you to visit the website of the Romanian Association for Gluten Intolerance: www.arig.ro