Why Gluten-Free?

What is gluten, anyway?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and wheat derivites, rye and barley.  Gluten is what give elasticity and the 'sponge' like texture to wheat products and dough made from these flours.

So who needs gluten-free products?

Many people, even in the absence of a clinical diagnosis, find they simply feel better on a gluten-free diet and choose to adopt the gluten free lifestyle to improve their health.  However, there are several groups of people that must avoid gluten for health reasons in order to stay healthy.  These include those with Celiac Disease and those with wheat or gluten allergies.  Also, parents whom have special needs children, from those on the autism disorder spectrum, to children with ADHD and even Asthma, improve drastically on a gluten-free/casein free diet. Now Pam's Gluten Free Kitchen allows these people to enjoy simply irresitible baked goods no matter what their dietary needs!

Why is a "dedicated" gluten-free company important?

Although everyone's body has a different response when coming in contact with gluten, it has been proven in many people that even a teaspoon of gluten can stimulate a negative autoimmune response in those with any of the gluten sensitivities, especially Celiac Disease, so cross-contamination is a serious issue. Only gluten-free baking is done at Pam's Gluten Free Kitchen and we only produce Gluten Free products....NO exceptions!

Celiac Disease? What’s that? I have it.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which gluten triggers the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine which also damages the villi. The result can be very severe especially when it goes undiagnosed.  Severe adominal pain, malabsorption of vitamins and minerals resulting in deficiency diseases and an increased risk of duodenal cancer are just a few of the possibilities that individuals may experience. Other complications include osteoporosis, arthritis, anemia, infertility and miscarriages. Children with undiagnosed Celiac Disease often “fail to thrive” making this disease a huge threat to a growing child's well being. There is no cure for Celiac Disease other than going Gluten Free.  The symptoms can be totally controlled and the damage to the intestine will also reverse itself simply by staying Gluten Free and making sure to avoid ALL dietary gluten including 'hidden gluten' as well.

Celiac Disease must be pretty rare, right?

Actually, Celiac Disease is the most common hereditary autoimmune condition in the United States today. It has been diagnosed in approximately 1 out of every 133 Americans but it is believed that the prevalence is closer to 1 out of 100. This means that between 0.5 and 1% of the American general population is affected with celiac Disease, which translates to 3+ million people. It is believed that there will be another 500,000 new diagnoses of Celiac Disease in the next five years. Additionally, it is estimated that 7 million Americans are allergic to wheat.

Can we accommodate other dietary restrictions?

YES!  Every one of our products is Gluten Free & Nut Free however some of our baked goods are Dairy/Casein Free and Egg Free as well. Upon request we can also accommodate Soy Free and when ordering any custom cakes we give our customers the option of natural or artificial coloring so if there is a sensitivity to colors, they won't have to worry about it with our products!  Please be sure to let us know about other allergies when you order so we can help you make the right decision.

Why would a “normal” person want Pam's Gluten Free Kitchen products?

Our products are made with the freshest ingredients possible and without any added aritificial coloring or preservatives which means our products are of the highest quality.   Although there are many products on the market today that are of poor quality and therefore give Gluten Free a bad name, this does not apply to our products.  You can ask any one of our customers, that when it comes to our products, Gluten Free does NOT mean taste free.  We make it a point to test any new products we produce on non Gluten Free individuals (without telling them that what they are sampling is Gluten Free) to get honest feedback.  There are also many health benefits from being on a Gluten Free diet so you don't necessarily have to be diagnosed with something that makes the Gluten Free lifestyle mandatory.  Food is a central part of everyone's life so imagine not being able to participate in enjoying everyday items that most people who are not Gluten Free take for granted because gluten must be avoided.  Not being able to bring cupcakes to school for your birthday, or even worse your child feeling left out because they can not eat what the other kids eat or not being able to eat your own wedding cake. The goal of Pam's Gluten Free Kitchen is to increase the quality and accessibility of gluten-free products so that at family celebrations and other social gatherings everyone can enjoy and share the same delicious desserts and breads. Our gluten-free baked goods are simply irresistable!