Gluten free is all the rage these days. Hollywood has embraced it (gag). Companies are plastering “gluten free” all over their products, even if they have always been gluten free. So called “experts” are comparing it to the South Beach Diet.
As somebody with severe celiac disease, I watch this all with frustration and amusement.
So let’s put this to an end and answer the question once and for all.
Why go gluten free?
Well…I will assume if you want to or need to go gluten free, you fall into one of the following categories.
- Everybody else is doing it. Well, that’s just sad.
- I want to lose weight. Not quite as sad, but still misinformed. A gluten free diet is NOT a step toward weight loss. If you’re not eating gluten, but still taking in more calories than you are burning, guess what? That’s right. Eventually, you won’t be able to see your feet.
- I want to give up some of those foods anyway. We’re getting better here. The fact is, a lot of foods with gluten are unhealthy. Pizza, bread, cakes, sauces, cookies, cereals, and the list goes on. If you can give up a lot of these foods, AND YOU EXERCISE, you will indeed by healthier.
- I have a gluten intolerance/allergy. Do your best to remain completely gluten free. You may have all of the symptoms of celiac disease, but you aren’t actually doing damage to your body if you ingest gluten. Eating gluten will make you feel bad, but it won’t kill you either. But do you want to feel bad? I know I don’t.
- I have celiac disease. Ding, ding, ding. We’ve got a winner. If you’ve got celiac disease, you must, must, must remain completely, 100% gluten free for the rest of your life. Not an easy task as gluten is everywhere, but you’ve got no choice. Stop cheating. Stop procrastinating. Stop in the name of love. No more gluten for you.
So why gluten free? It depends on your health, your needs and your motivations. Personally, I think everyone is better off without it in their diets. But I’m a little biased as it turned my life upside down five years ago.
So what category do you fall under?
When you say everyone is better off without gluten in their diet, is that something a medical professional or certified nutritionist told you? Because it is my understanding that if you are not allergic to gluten, it is a healthy part of your diet, and by eliminating it one might be missing out on some important nutrients.
Gluten is not a healthy part of your diet. Is it the evil the media makes it out to be? No. But if you limit your gluten AND replace what you’re missing with other HEALTHY choices, it is my opinion you are better off. And as I said, it is not so much the gluten that’s the killer, it’s the many unhealthy foods that gluten is in.
Gotta say Gluten Dude I am really enjoying your website! Good reading, honest straight forward, no bullshit!
I also agree that a lot of unhealthy foods have gluten in them, but for us non-allergic folks some of that food is fine in moderation. For example bacon, love it, is it healthy? No, of course not. I only eat it a few times a month, but it’s great. Cake… well same situation, I don’t eat it all the time. I agree with Michele that your claims in this article are unsupported.
Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for your approach, so many people are going “gluten-free” these days, but I have a close friend who has CD and I know the plight she endures. I feel like it’s a slap in the face for someone with CD when someone who has a “small” gluten allergy or a “slight” sensitivity claims that gluten has caused them some discomfort after they eat an enormous meal… maybe eat healthier… god.. I am not claiming to know how CD feels, but from what I have read and heard, CD is a real biiiaatchh!!!
Cheers!
Thanks Jared. And I still love bacon too. Everything in moderation 🙂