/24-7PressRelease/ - WESTCHESTER, IL, April 19, 2008 - While many consumers struggle to find the right balance of healthy foods in their diets, for some, it is a medical necessity. With varying degrees of severity from wheat allergies, to celiac disease, to autism, finding the right products to satisfy a gluten-free diet is no easy task. Gluten-Free Grocery opens its doors this week in Chicago� s western suburb of Westchester as the only store to meet just that need.
The store carries more than 500 different gluten-free products and makes it possible for gluten-intolerant consumers to have a one-stop-shopping location. Gluten is found in most common foods, previously making shopping for those with this dietary restriction a difficult chore. Every item in the store is hand selected and safe for those with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance or wheat allergy.
Diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2004, store owner Cindy Erwin quickly learned that there is no cure for Celiac, only the requirement of a lifelong adherence to a diet without gluten. Individuals with Celiac disease have a toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten. It damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat and other grains, including rye, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut and spelt, and foods made from those grains. They are also found in food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce, flavorings, artificial colors, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and oats that are commonly cross-contaminated with other grains.
Gluten also is getting significant attention in the autism community. Parents, doctors and researchers are finding that some children have shown improvements in speech and/or behavior when placed on a gluten-free diet. While still in the early stages of discovery, there have been promising results for some individuals.
"We set out to create a store that not only offers high-quality gluten-free foods, but to create a shopping experience for consumers where they can confidently chose items without having to wonder if they will have to call the manufacturer to find out if there are any ingredients that could be dangerous to eat," said Cindy Erwin, Gluten-Free Grocery co-owner.
Gluten-Free Grocery offers a travel program to eliminate the need of packing gluten-free food when on the road. Consumers can order food to be shipped to their vacation or business destination, or call ahead and have selected products delivered to local Chicago-area hotels. (some restrictions apply).
Gluten-Free Grocery also supports Celiac Disease and Autism research. Members of the GFG frequent-buyer program can elect to have 3 percent of their pre-tax purchases donated to either Celiac Disease or Autism research.
Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Mike and Cindy Erwin, Gluten-Free Grocery is located at 1922 Mannheim Rd., Westchester, Ill., 60154. The store is accessible from Interstates 290, 294, 88 and 55. For more information, visit: http://www.gfgrocery.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Cody
jennifer.cody1@gmail.com
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