In the last decade, following a gluten-free diet has become trendy. Yet, some medical conditions make avoiding gluten necessary. This makes dining out extremely difficult as many food options, like pizza, contain wheat. However, Mario’s Pizza makes grabbing a bite out easy by offering gluten free pizza.

Reasons For Avoiding Gluten

Gluten is the name of a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. Foods containing gluten cause unfavorable reactions in some people when ingested. The severity of the response depends on the person’s diagnosis:

• Allergy
• Intolerance/Sensitivity
• Celiac
• Ataxia

Generally, a person can have mild, severe, or even deadly reactions depending on their diagnosis. While reactions for each manifestation may differ, all expressions require a restricted diet.

Symptoms may include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, rash, or headaches. Persons with Celiac Disease can react similarly, but small intestinal damage will also occur. Finally, ataxia is a neurological disease where your immune system attacks parts of your brain in response to eating gluten.

Top 5 Health Reasons For Adopting A Gluten Free Diet

Aside from a disorder, many people choose to adopt a wheat/gluten free diet for other health reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the main causes.

1. Your Digestive System Will Thank You

Humans cannot digest gluten completely. Moreover, people who eliminate gluten from their diet often replace it with readily digestible foods. Thus, a gluten free diet is easier on your digestive system allowing nutrients to pass through to your cells quicker.

2. Less Bloating And Gas

Generally, eating starchy foods like wheat, produce gas in the large intestine. Replacing this grain with other foods may lessen your bloating and gas.

3. Reduce Insulin Spikes

The American diet contains a lot of refined white flour which is a high-glycemic food. When you eat high-glycemic food, your body digests it quickly causing a spike in insulin. Eating too many of these types of foods leads to many diseases including type 2 diabetes.

4. Clearer Skin

Although not all scientists agree, some people have found relief from acne when removing gluten from their diet. Some researchers argue that gluten causes inflammation triggering acne outbreaks.

5. Lower Cholesterol

Eating too many simple carbohydrates, like refined flour, can negatively affect your HDL or good cholesterol levels. In addition, a diet high in simple carbohydrates may raise your LDL or bad cholesterol.

Eating Out On A Gluten Free Diet

Whether your health dictates a change, or you just feel better eating gluten free, dining out now becomes a challenge. A large portion of the American diet contains wheat flour, a source of gluten.

Flour thickens soups, gravies, and other sauces. Baked goods such as bread, cakes, cookies, and pizza contain flour.

Sometimes, spotting gluten is difficult. Often, manufacturers derive ingredients from a gluten-containing grain. Malt flavoring or extract is a good example of hidden gluten.

Mario’s Pizza understands your frustration in adhering to your diet. Occasionally, you want to be able to share a slice of pizza with your friends. Or grab a hot delicious pie on those nights you don’t have time to cook.

That’s why we offer 2 different types of gluten free crusts. Our rice flour-based crust tastes similar to what you’d expect in a traditional pizza crust. We also offer a cauliflower crust that’s packed with nutrients for an even healthier option.

FAQs About Mario’s Gluten Free Pizza

Adhering to a gluten free lifestyle can be challenging. At Mario’s Pizza, we want you to feel confident when choosing our restaurant for your meal. To ease your concerns, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions.

How Do Your Chefs Avoid Cross-Contamination?

For those individuals with celiac, the process of unintentionally transferring gluten to your food is a real concern. Even a minute amount of gluten may cause a severe reaction.

However, we realize some people are extremely sensitive to the slightest amount of gluten. Moreover, we do make our gluten free pizza in the same kitchen as our regular pizza so there is a risk for cross contamination.

Can I Get Toppings On My Gluten Free Pizza?

We offer plenty of toppings to keep everyone happy, even our gluten free patrons. Ask your server which ones are gluten free when you place your order.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet after your pizza, stop by Ava’s Cupcakes for a gluten free dessert. With 2 convenient locations, Ava’s always has some gluten free cupcakes ready for sale.

What About The Rest Of My Family?

You may be ready to chow down on one of our delicious gluten free pizzas. However, not everyone in your family may need to avoid gluten. The rest of your family may be able to enjoy our regular fare.

Mario’s Pizza has an extensive menu filled with salads, subs, calzones, strombolis, Italian entrées, and of course NY-style pizza. Plus, we have a kid’s menu with smaller-sized portions of their favorites priced at $5 or less. Moreover, we offer weekly specials to meet your budget.

In addition, we have a loyalty program to reward you for enjoying our delicious food. To join, you can download the app or let us know the next time you order. Then you can start earning points for doing what you love best, eating at Mario’s Pizza.