Gluten Free Delight

We at Tedboy constantly receive inquiries and suggestions that we should be making gluten free products (bread and cakes) as there are customers who are gluten intolerant, or know someone who is on a gluten free diet. So what is this about? Is it an allergy or just a preference in their daily diet?

What is gluten?

Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. 95% bread loaves, buns and pastries (cakes as well!) sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and bakeries have gluten in it. Some of the other common foods containing gluten are cereal, pasta, sauce, snacks and packaged broth.

What does gluten free means?

A gluten free diet helps manage symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten. In recent times, studies on psoriasis also indicate gluten free diet may prevent flare ups. It is also popular among people who believe that this diet will improve health, weight loss and increased energy.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten triggers immune system activity that damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this damage prevents the absorption of nutrients from food.
Gluten sensitivity causes some of the same signs and symptoms associated with celiac disease — including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, foggy brain, rash or headache — even though there is no damage to the tissues of the small intestine. Studies show that the immune system plays a role, but the process isn't well-understood.
Gluten ataxia is an autoimmune disorder that affects certain nerve tissues, and causes problems with muscle control and voluntary muscle movement.
Wheat allergy, like other food allergies, is the result of the immune system mistaking gluten or some other protein found in wheat as a disease-causing agent, such as a virus or bacteria. The immune system creates an antibody to the protein, prompting an immune system response that may result in congestion, breathing difficulties and other symptoms.

What can replace gluten in daily common foods such as bread?

Instead of using wheat flour in baked goods, you can opt to use rice, potato or corn flour that are gluten free! However, the final product will not be as “light” or “fluffy” as the usual bread loaves because gluten helps the dough to “expand” and create more air pockets. Usually these types of flour alternatives create a more heavy and dense texture. Rest assured that it can still be delicious (as long as you get the recipe ratio right!).

Is gluten free a diet?

Calling it a ‘diet’ is confusing to some people as it does not help in any weight loss. It is actually a way of eating to help heal the gut so that the body is able to absorb all the nutrients from the food.

Does Tedboy have a range of gluten free baked goods?

Finally, the answer is YES! After many rounds of trial and error, we managed to bake the perfect (we think so!) gluten free bread loaf. Slightly different from our usual fluffy white loaf, our gluten free loaves are heavier and dense with a tinge of potato aftertaste. For some of us who do not practise the gluten free diet, it comes to us as a surprise–it ACTUALLY tastes good! Even Ted the boss enjoyed the loaf (being made into a breakfast sandwich).

We always had gluten free cake loaves as part of our offerings (to those in the know how). Regulars have been asking for them, so we are re-emphasizing them again this time around, in a gluten free whole cake in which you can get for birthdays, celebrations and more. What’s more, we can even include your own pour-over for the cake, so technically you can say you “made” the cake :)