Let me start this article by saying the obvious: “Just because a gluten-free diet has become a craze doesn’t mean that it is healthy.
According to their advocates, a gluten-free diet means better living, healthier, and more energy. It all depends on the product you are replacing gluten with. Although avoiding gluten is a health trend these days, most products that are labelled “gluten-free” are not healthy.
What is Gluten and Why Is It Important?
Gluten is an naturally occurring component in some grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Gluten is responsible for both the structure and elasticity of the food, according to food experts. Therefore, when we mention gluten free, it involves using additives to maintain the structure and elasticity of the food and most of these gluten free products are full of fibers like carboxymethylcellulose and stabilizing gums, i.e. Guar or xanthan. Gluten-free flours can also be highly refined which means they are deficient in nutrients.
Gluten-free capitalism
Manufacturers seem to be capitalizing on gluten all the time. Gluten-free products are being created at a pace that could be called capitalist, based on the belief that gluten-free foods are healthier. This is the famous ‘health halo effect’.
Research also suggests that gluten-free products are often charged higher than traditional products because of their popularity.
Who should eat a gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease is a condition that requires a gluten-free diet. Because their bodies are unable to digest gluten, ingestion can cause an inflammatory response that damages intestinal cells and could lead to serious health problems.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivities are also possible for people who have not been diagnosed with celiac disorder but still react to gluten. The problems that gluten can cause in this condition are less severe than those with celiac disease. Both conditions can be treated with a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-free diet
Individuals with gluten intolerance can eat a gluten-free diet. There is no reason to avoid gluten. This involves replacing gluten-containing baked goods like pizza, bread, and pasta with gluten-free grains such as rice, quinoa and corn. But cakes and crackers can be gluten-free, but is this healthy? It is important to do your research on healthy substitutes before you make any decisions.
Common myths regarding the gluten-free diet
Gluten-free diets are promoted as weight loss and as healthier for general population. These claims are false. Only people suffering from gluten-related disorders are eligible for the gluten-free diet. These conditions are not supported by the claim of a ‘healthy diet’.
These are some common myths that have been dispelled about the gluten-free diet.
There is no relation to Diet Quality
Gluten in a meal does not necessarily indicate quality of the diet. The quality of the diet is determined by the overall food choices. Gluten may be present or absent.
Changing to gluten-free is not a healthy
A person who eats highly refined flours can switch to a gluten free diet and eat more fruits, vegetables and other healthy gluten-free foods. This will make them healthier. There are no health benefits to switching to gluten-free foods that have lower fiber, vitamins, or minerals than those containing gluten.
A gluten-free diet can be more caloric than a regular one. It contains high amounts of fat and sugar to counter the flavor and texture changes. This may lead to weight gain.
The dangers associated with a gluten-free diet
- Without medical reason, removing gluten from your diet can have adverse health effects.
- A diet low in gluten and high in processed alternatives can lead to chronic disease. Numerous studies have confirmed that processed foods are linked to the development of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Gluten-free diets can increase your risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. They also affect hormone levels, which can negatively impact your mood. Your mood regulators, such as cortisol and dopamine, oxytocin, oxytocin, and serotonin, are not released at the optimal levels, or get blocked. This can lead to depression.
- Your cardiovascular health is as important as the air that you inhale. No pun intended! The number one killer of people worldwide is cardiovascular disease. Cancer is second. Consuming a diet that is gluten-free and high in processed foods increases the chance of getting such diseases.
- As we mentioned, gluten-free alternatives made from highly processed foods can lead to weight gain. This leads to obesity and eventually diabetes.
- Avoiding gluten-free foods can increase your risk of developing diseases and decrease your life expectancy.
Our bodies need to be nourished, right down to the smallest cells. Our path to health and disease is determined by what we eat. This article is a perfect example of the famous phrase, “We are what we eat”.
Conclusion
There are many gluten-free alternatives made with healthy ingredients such as almond meal, quinoa and eggs. If you are trying to avoid gluten, all you have to do is to be educated and review the available healthy alternatives. Happy healthy living, everyone!
