Going Gluten free?
If you’re coeliac, you should follow a strict gluten free diet as advised by your doctor. While it was once thought to be a problem only for those with coeliac disease, gluten has also been linked to non-coeliac gluten intolerance, which afflicts many more people. Many irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers also find that a gluten free diet relieves their symptoms.
What’s sourdough got to do with it?
Sourdough is made with the naturally occurring yeast and bacteria found in flour. When combined with water, enzymes naturally present in the flour break down its starch. Yeast and bacteria feed on the resulting sugars - this is the fermentation process and it makes your bread delicious!
Many of the simple sugars from the grain are eaten up, so sourdough bread is better for your blood sugar levels compared with other breads. It's actually a low GI food, despite the carbohydrate content. It's simple, natural, real bread, and we love it. Not only does it taste great, it's also kinder on our tummies!
Not all sourdough is gluten free!
Sourdoughs can be made from many different grains, and the most commonly available are made from grains which contain gluten. The sourdough process does not eliminate this gluten, although most people can digest sourdough more easily than commercial bread. This is partially because sourdough is kinder on the gut, but also because the commercial bread making process adds more gluten and enzymes to speed up the process.
What about gluten free sourdough?
Well, this may be doubly beneficial because the gluten is not present (for those that have an intolerance/allergy), and sourdough itself is more easily digestible. However, getting gluten free sourdough right isn’t the easiest task. Most people don’t want to spend a couple of days making a loaf of bread or constantly care for a live sourdough culture. Our freshly baked range and easy baking mixes make it much simpler to enjoy gluten free sourdough at home.
The many benefits of our gluten free flours
Besides being 100% gluten free and made with sourdough starter, our delicious breads and mixes contain some amazing ingredients. These superfoods and ancient grains are easier to digest and each have their own health benefits.
Sorghum
What is it? A magical grain that's a veritable powerhouse in nutritional terms. Besides containing heaps of vitamins, a single serving gives you nearly half your recommended daily intake of fibre!What's in it? Vitamins: niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, protein, fibre, anti-oxidants.
Benefits: Improves digestive health, helps build strong bones, promotes red blood cell development, boosts energy
Teff
What is it? The ultimate super food - a small grain with a long list of health benefits. With numerous high profile Hollywood fans, it's no wonder teff is being hailed as the 'new quinoa'!What's in it? Protein, carbs, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, iron, copper, aluminum, barium, thiamin, vitamin B1 and vitamin C (not normally found in grains)
Benefits: Provides easily absorbed iron, helps you regulate bowel movements, contributes to lower blood pressure, shown to reduce symptoms of PMS and help you lose weight
Buckwheat
What is it? While many people think that buckwheat is a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel.What's in it? Manganese, copper, dietary fibre and phosphorous. It also contains two flavonoids with significant health-promoting actions: rutin and quercitin
Benefits: Good for your cardiovascular system, linked to lower risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also help prevent against atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity.
Tapioca
What is is? Tapioca is a tasty starch extract derived from the cassava plant, the useful part of which is the root.What's in it? Carbohydrates, "good" cholestrol, protein, B-complex vitamins (including folic acid, pantothenic acid, folate, and B6), fibre, iron, manganese, calcium, copper, and selenium.
Benefits: Promotes increased circulation and red blood cell count, protects against birth defects, improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, prevents diabetes, improves metabolic activities, protects bone mineral density, prevents Alzheimer’s disease, protects heart health and maintains fluid balance within the body.
Millet
What is it? Although it's commonly associated with being a main ingredient in bird feed, millet is grown the world over as a foodstuff for livestock and humans.What's in it? Protein, dietary fibre, starch, high vitamin B content, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and magnesium.
Benefits: Beneficial to heart health, helps keep cholesterol in check, magnesium offers protection against diabetes, aids digestive health and detoxes the body.
Gluten free Oats
What is it? Scientifically called Avena sativa, oats are a hardy cereal grain. They are naturally gluten free, but are often processed in plants with other gluten containing cereals. The descriptor gluten free oats, is used to denote that they have been processed in a gluten free environment..What's in it? Manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, copper, biotin, vitamin B1, magnesium, fibre
Benefits: Oats have huge amounts of dietary fibre, which contributes to their healthy cholesterol lowering properties. They can help lower the risk of heart disease and colorectal cancer, as well as helping to lower blood pressure.