Gluten is a protein commonly found in bread products and can be an additive in products such as salad dressings. Those with celiac disease are unable to digest gluten. It aggravates their intestines and causes a number of painful symptoms. A gluten-free diet restricts several foods. If you're following the diet, you may lose weight. But that depends largely on the choices you make.
Fewer Refined Carbohydrates
Following a gluten-free diet means you must avoid baked goods like cookies, cakes and pies that contain gluten. If these are a staple in your diet, switching to a gluten-free diet can lower your overall calorie intake. But many gluten-free baked goods, including brownies and cookies, are available at grocery stores. If you just replace high-calorie regular carbohydrates with their gluten-free counterparts, your prospects of losing weight are slim.
Fewer Food Choices
A gluten-free lifestyle means you have fewer choices. In addition to wheat-containing baked goods, you must avoid products that have gluten as a thickening agent. Fewer processed foods can be beneficial if it means you turn to foods like grilled proteins, steamed vegetables and brown rice. But you may find such a diet too restrictive, which can hurt your chances of long-term success with this diet.
Stable Blood Sugar
You may find that following a gluten-free diet helps you keep your blood sugar stable, reducing your cravings. "Many who go on a gluten-free diet may lose weight and feel better, but it has nothing to do with avoiding gluten," dietitian Susan Dopart, wrote on the Huffington Post. "Just cutting out starchy, processed forms of carbohydrate or limiting carbohydrate intake helps with lowering insulin resistance, which leads to weight loss and improved energy."
Side Effects
You may experience side effects on a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free grains do not have as much fiber as their gluten-containing counterparts, which can affect your digestion. You may also miss out on iron and vitamins found in gluten-containing foods. These aspects can make staying on the diet harder and tempt you to go off it.
References
- "Health"; Do Gluten-Free Diets Take Off Pounds; Dee Sandquist, MS, RD; July 2009
- Dummies.com: How the Gluten-Free Diet Fosters Weight Loss
- Fit Sugar; Will a Gluten-Free Diet Help You Lose Weight and Feel Healthier?; Leta Shy; May 2011
- "Huffington Post"; Is a Gluten-Free Diet Really Healthier?; Susan B. Dopart, M.S., R.D.; March 2011
- "New York Daily News"; Following Gluten-Free Diet Without Having Celiac Disease Can Be Harmful to Health, Experts Say; Rosemary Black; May 2010
Member Comments