Gluten-free diets are one of the latest diet trends. These diets require avoiding all products that contain or may contain a protein called gluten. Although they are definitely beneficial for people with certain health conditions, they can be restrictive and expensive without providing any real benefits if you do not have one of these conditions.
What's Involved
Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley. However, sometimes it is also found in unexpected places. Malt vinegar, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable protein, malt or malt flavor, modified starch, vegetable gum, emulsifiers, flavorings, plant protein, hydrolyzed ingredients, oats, starch, soy sauce and stabilizers may all contain gluten. If you must avoid products with gluten, do not consume these items unless you confirm with the manufacturer that they don't contain gluten.
Who Benefits
If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet is beneficial. In fact, for those with celiac disease, it is essential for good health. Children with autism and people with rheumatoid arthritis may also benefit from a gluten-free diet. However, a gluten-free diet won't necessarily benefit other people, such as those who want to lose weight.
Nutrition Implications
Although a gluten-free diet can help reduce the symptoms of certain diseases, you may have difficulties getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals if you don't plan this type of diet carefully. Pay particular attention to vitamin D, the B complex vitamins and iron. Gluten-free baked goods are often higher in sugar, fat and calories than those that contain gluten, so they may lead to weight gain if you are not careful.
Considerations
Since so many foods contain gluten, it can be difficult to follow a gluten-free diet. If you have tested negative for celiac disease but have some of the symptoms of this condition, a gluten-free diet may help you. Try it for a week or two and keep track of any symptoms you may experience. If eliminating gluten from your diet helps, you may be gluten sensitive, so it may be worth the trouble to avoid gluten.
References
- Fox News; Looking Beyond a Gluten-Free Diet; Jennifer Cerbasi; April 2011
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Gluten-free Diet; Frank W. Jackson, M.D.
- CNN Health; Will a Gluten-Free Diet Improve Your Health?; Carina Storrs; April 2011
- "Good Housekeeping"; Should You Try a Gluten-Free Diet?; Rachel Meltzer Warren, M.S., R.D.
- Medical News Today; Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Benefit From Vegan, Gluten-free Diet; March 2008
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