The good thing about the internet is that anybody can have a voice. The really bad thing about the internet is that anybody can have a voice.
There’s an old axiom that says “I read it on the internet, so it must be true.” It is meant to be said with dripping sarcasm and I’ve noticed lately more than ever the amount of staggering misinformation online, especially when it comes to gluten and celiac disease.
I sign up for Google Alerts for the terms “gluten” and “celiac”. If you’re not familiar with Google Alerts, I get emails at the end of each day from Google that lists a handful of articles that Google has deemed “relevant and important” written about gluten and celiac.
It keeps me informed and allows me to have the best damn blog about celiac disease and gluten on the entire internet (also said with dripping sarcasm.) How Google selects these articles is beyond me, but some of what is sent to me is really unbelievable and downright dangerous.
I’m going to pull a few quotes from articles I received last just last night. Read em and weep.
“Gluten free diets have become increasingly more popular in the last years. This type of diet is recommended to those who suffer from celiac disease.
Dude’s note: No, the gluten free diet is not “recommended” for those with celiac disease, it’s mandatory. If you don’t go 100% gluten free, it can lead to a miserable and shortened life.
“Recent studies have shown that a gluten free diet is beneficial not only for those diagnosed with celiac disease, but for every individual who wants to stay healthy.”
Dude’s note: This is insane. Yes, I’ve said in the past that most people are better off without gluten. But just removing it from your diet means nothing. What you are replacing it with means everything.
“Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, and other grains”
Dude’s note: Gluten is NOT found in oats. There are arguments that oats are prime suspects for cross-contamination during production, but oats do not contain gluten on their own.
“Eating gluten free foods help you lose weight.”
Dude’s note: There is now steam coming out of the Dude’s ears. A statement like is exactly why eating gluten-free has become a fad diet.
“Celiac disease is becoming more common because people need attention. It’s super rare for anyone to actually have this.“
Dude’s note: Where do I even start with this one? Super rare? Really? 1% of the population is super rare? I think the possibility that this author’s brain cells actually function is super rare.
“If you have celiac disease, the cost of gluten free food is tax deductible.“
Dude’s note: Now wouldn’t this be nice if I could write off my $8 bag of four bagels? But what you actually need to do is compare the cost of your bagels with a normal bag of bagels, subtract the difference and then THAT is your write off. Yep, for every food item you buy. Honestly, who’s got the time?
“Redbridge beer is a clean beer with solid body and nice, subtle finish.“
Dude’s note: Redbridge beer sux.
So there you have it. And this is just one day’s worth of Google Alerts.
So the lesson for all you kids out there is don’t believe everything you read…unless of course you’re on my website.
Gluten free tax deductions got me thinking about this… in some parts of the UK, gluten free food is a PRESCRIPTION! Wouldn’t that be nice!! In parts of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, it’s a FREE prescription! http://www.coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-diet-lifestyle/food-on-prescription
I know…crazy. How nice would that be? If that idea was brought up here, we’d need a super-committee to lock themselves in a chamber for four months just to consider it.
I like Redbridge beer lol, mind you what do I know, I love your website!!! I wouldnt know what real beer tastes like. I do miss getting my gluten free prescriptions.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Amanda! If nothing to compare it to, Redbridge is drinkable.If comparing it to real beer, it’s…ummm…disappointing.
LOVE this post! There is so much misinformation about Celiac Disease and gluten free that it boggles my mind. I’ve had 2 GI doctors tell me that I can cheat whenever I want and that I have “mild” Celiac Disease and that i “might benefit from the Gluten Free diet.” Needless to say, I never saw those doctors again! It just makes me mad.
It really boggles the mind the ineptitude of some of our medical “experts”. The problem is that, while you were smart enough to walk away and find another doctor, many won’t. And they will surely pay the price.
did you see these articles? These make you want to weep:
http://www.fox21online.com/?q=healthreport/gluten-free-another-fad-diet
and
http://community.supplysideshow.com/blog_page.php?BlogIcode=337
I saw the Fox one and just read the other one. Look…I don’t disagree with what they say. Gluten free is becoming a fad diet. And it’s infuriating to people like us. But society as a whole is gullible. And once the media feeds into something, it takes on a life of its own.
God I wish I had that redbridge beer right now….
You’ve got this right and wrong in some places. It is very plausible that a gluten-free diet is better for weight loss and overall health considering that you will be avoiding wheat which is greatly beneficial to be rid of.
I had the omission pale ale & it was great! Before that the only beer I would drink was greens. I like the amber & the dark, but its expensive. I don’t know how much omission is yet cause I had it at a restaurant. I didn’t have any reaction to omission, I am pretty sensitive but you could be worse than me.
My Position on such things is VERY VERY simple.
IS Gluten something occurring naturally in those food? If it is, then its good.
Forget about all those rubbish research. Just like then they say the egg yoke is bad, I mean nature put the egg yoke and white in the egg and now some scientists decided that the yoke is high cholesterol and bad for me? I of cos dont believe those bull shit. I ate them both, gladly. All i know the last time I visited a doctor is in 1993 for chicken pox. for the last 22 years, i only visited dentist a few times.
Now back to gluten, if its something naturally occurring in food, I would say, Dont fear those BS research, eat it. Of cos unless u have celiac disease which they had concurred its due to these “gluten” thingy which I of cos have my doubts because U know how the western pharmaceutical and how corrupted they are.
Who knows what causes it in the first place.. just because a doctor or research said its autoimmune and u can inherit it means its gospel truth. Sorry, I am not convinced.
So as for me, I am all for gluten bread and food.
I am here because my friend keeps telling me gluten free is good for weight loss which of cos I have realised by now its baloney.
Hello!
I’m a 21 year old celiac, I was diagnosed at 17 and I’m living in England, UK.
Just wanted to say a little something regarding gf prescriptions – you don’t wish you had them. It’s all lovely and free until you turn 19 and each prescription item is a little under £9. Whether that be one bag of flour, a 2 pack of naan breads, anything, each item is the same price – it’s much cheaper in the shops. And then, our range of gf products is nothing compared to the wonderful US (or Italy). Most shops just about manage a loaf if bread and a pack of biscuits and I usually have to travel across town to find a superstore with a bigger range. Furthermore, there are maybe 3 fast food chains I can order from and not many places I can eat out on date night. Please, love the US and the ‘fad diets’ that have made gf products more readily available to you!
PS: I will look into moving to Ireland
Love this site! Keeping a sense of humor about a diagnosis of celiac is quite helpful (no more good bread?=instant depression!). Arndrea, I also appreciate your post. The amount of misinformation about the gluten free diet/lifestyle is pervasive now that it has become a fad, and that can be terribly frustrating. However, you present the other side of the coin. The amount of GF products that are available to us in the US has soared. I prefer to eat whole foods that have always been naturally GF (veg, fruit, meat, some grains etc), but I do enjoy baking with GF flours and indulging in a box of GF free donuts etc every now and then! It is hard to be patient when people are ignorant or misinformed (especially family!), but if i hadnt been disgnosed with celiac/DH, I would probably be ignorant about it as well.