Gluten Free is Not an Answer to Weight Loss.
Ok! The new fascination and push for Gluten Free diets and gluten free products has become a huge hot button issue for me!
A Gluten Free diet is a diet that should ONLY be followed by individuals with a diagnosed, Wheat Allergy or Celiac Disease. There should be no other reason to consume a gluten free diet. We need gluten!
- It is not a way to lose weight long term.
- It is not healthy for properly functioning body systems.
- It is a waste of your money.
The industry has added the gluten free label to products. They advertise that they are looking out for us. They are not looking out for us they are making a lot of money off of us and our hunger for the quick fix when it comes to diet. We continue to get fatter and fatter and we desire a quick easy fix.
Gluten free is not the answer and it can be dangerous when followed by someone who is not allergic to wheat products and their elastic proteins. I am going to take the next few paragraphs to educate you on what Gluten is and why we need a diet with gluten.
Gluten is found in many of the grain complex carbohydrates. It is found in wheat, Kamut, spelt, barley, rye, and some oats. (complex carbs). Gluten is the elastic protein in the complex carbohydrate (good carbs). This is the component in the complex carb that makes it such a great energy source(fuel) and appetite suppressant. The binding glue (gluten) that holds the carb together is also the item that keeps us full longer and provides us with sustained energy.
Individuals with Celiac disease can not effectively process that binding glue causing, diarrhea, GI problems, and sometimes severe anemia among with other problems.
Gluten Free is generally filled with corn, potatoes, rice, tapioca, soybeans, and starches. (simple carbs) These simple carbs lack the binding glue. This lack of gluten is one of the reasons they are so quickly and easily digestible. This is the quick fuel, the sugar fuel.
It is recommended that the average individual should fill their diet with complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Research has proven that we should limit simple carbs (bad carbs) because they do not provide sustaining energy and do not provide the overall health benefit of their cousin the complex carb.
A diet that is gluten free tends to be a diet that is missing a good portion of the complex carbs and fiber needed for a well rounded, balanced, healthy diet. Two pieces of our diet that have been proven to decrease cancers, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and fatigue syndromes.
If you have been tested and diagnosed by a physician to have Celiac disease or a life threatening wheat allergy then you should educate yourself on the best way to eat a well rounded gluten free diet. This is very difficult and requires diligence and dedication. You should seek guidance and support from a registered dietician who specializes in Celiac disease. When speaking to individuals with diagnosed celiac disease they often can not believe that people are choosing to eat gluten free. A true gluten allergy can be more challenging to live with day in and day out than diabetes.
In closing… We need complex carbs. We need whole grains. Eating gluten free is not the answer to clean eating or complete health. Save you money and remember real whole food is your best choice.
