NBC Show: Parenthood generating interest into wheat allergies
Tuesday's episode of Parenthood on NBC included a character's experience with getting a possible wheat allergy diagnosis.
- During the show, Jabbar, an elementary-school aged character goes to the doctor with his parents after suffering from a series of rashes on his legs. His parents, Jasmine and Crosby, have no clue what could be the source of their son's rash, but Jasmine decides to schedule a visit with an allergist. During the doctor's appointment, Dr. Joe suggests the family try a 30 day wheat-free diet for Jabbar since he suspects it is the cause of the rashes.
Gluten free hits prime time televisionThe writers of Parenthood are not afraid to show the more challenging aspects of life. The show, which airs on Tuesday nights at ten on NBC, follows the c- It's not odd if you're reading this and start asking yourself what the heck gluten-free is or means. Not to worry, my hope is after you read this you will gain a better understanding of gluten-free and what people think about it.
When Jabbar's father, Crosby, asks what a gluten-free diet means, the doctor gives him a snarky look and responds, "A diet without wheat." But, it's not a question that's too far off. Many don't realize how many foods include wheat, until you start reading nutritional facts labels to see the specific ingredients.
How to Read a Food Allergy Warning Label : NPRA food with a "gluten-free" label may not be gluten free at all. Such products may contain trace amounts of the wheat protein - enough to trigger a reaction in some people. The FDA is currently considering an industry-wide standard definition for "gluten-free."- According to the Gluten Free Network, research shows 15 percent of the U.S. population suffers from some type of wheat or gluten sensitivity. This sensitivity ranges from intolerance, like Jabbar, or the most severe end of the spectrum with Celiac Disease.
Lately, more and more restaurants and grocers are including gluten-free or wheat-free items. Some say it's just another food trend sweeping healthy cities others, like suffers of wheat allergies, see it as an answered prayer. Whatever the case, wheat allergies have been getting more attention as featured on shows like Oprah in 2009, The View and now Parenthood.
Gluten-Free TV | Celiac ChicksI'm sure you are familiar with the saying, "Timing is everything." Well, I think it is time for gluten-free to go mainstream on TV. What do you think? I have a little secret to tell you. It's actually a funny story. Last Fall I just happened to meet the top dog of a huge food channel.Although many people watching the Tuesday episode of Parenthood might think just like Crosby and not think wheat can be a serious allergy, as the episode continues, we see a very real scenario where Jabbar's gluten/wheat-free diet contributes to relieving his rash.
Hopefully, this episode signals a peak in interest towards gluten-free and acts as a source to answer questions rather than leaving viewers hanging after this one episode gf debut.
If you are left hanging, there are dozens of sources out there to help answer any questions you have about gluten/wheat free allergies or the low carb lifestyle.
- The Mayo clinic website offers tons of information on how you can find out if you are gluten intolerant or other helpful resources like recipes and articles about wheat-alternative lifestyles.
Gluten-free diet - MayoClinic.com
Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more.- Since wheat is one of the top ingredients containing gluten, there are tons of resources out there for you to find alternative flours and bases for your favorite meals.
