Proponents of raw foodism claim that this way of eating is a lifestyle change that may help you lose weight, gain energy and feel more focused. If you have gluten sensitivity and are considering a raw food diet, you need to find out whether raw foods are free from gluten. Many raw foods are gluten-free, but the overall diet is not likely to be nutritionally adequate in the long term.
Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy is also called celiac disease or sprue, according to MedlinePlus. If you have gluten sensitivity, your immune system attacks your small intestine when you eat gluten. You are at higher risk for celiac disease if you have autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Gluten sensitivity has no cure, and a gluten-free diet is the best way to minimize damage to your small intestine. Many, but not all, raw foods are free from gluten.
Diet Overview
According to the Cal Dining website of Berkeley University, raw foods are still living because they contain active enzymes. To prevent inactivation of these enzymes before you eat them, raw foods are minimally processed and are never cooked to a temperature over 116 degrees. A raw food diet allows some sprouted grains, but other grains are prohibited on a gluten-free diet, according to MayoClinic.com. Gluten is a protein naturally found in wheat, barley, rye, triticale, graham flour and bulgur.
Food Choices
Raw foods include raw vegetables, fruits, seaweed, olives, nuts, seeds and avocados. These foods do not contain gluten. Raw foods also include sprouted grains, as long as they are not cooked. A benefit of a raw food diet for gluten sensitivity is that the diet excludes processed foods, which are often hidden sources of gluten, according to MedlinePlus. Beer, soups, sauces, pasta, processed meats, dressings and gravies may contain gluten.
Nutritional Considerations
When you have celiac disease, you are at risk for bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, according to MayoClinic.com. A raw foods diet can increase your risk of developing weak bones because the diet does not include vitamin D-fortified dairy products, which also provide calcium. On a raw foods diet, you may not get enough iron, and the consequence is iron-deficiency anemia. If you accidentally eat gluten and the walls of your small intestine are continually destroyed, you may experience nutrient malabsorption and be at risk for folate deficiency.
Member Comments