Gluten Free – Fad Diet or Life Saver?

Gluten free: it seems to be popping up everywhere. No, it’s not the new fad diet. It’s a lifestyle that those with Celiac disease or those with intolerance for gluten have to adopt. In the simplest terms, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats, and rye. It’s a sneaky little bugger though because it pops up in random foods and condiments that you would never think it should be in such as soy sauce, salad dressing, soups, fruit snacks, and more; all of which are products you wouldn’t necessarily associate with wheat-type ingredients.

So why does it sound like gluten-free is the new “it” diet? Celiac disease and gluten intolerance have gotten a lot of exposure lately because of all the research being done and how life-altering the results from these studies have proven to be. According to Celiac Central, three million Americans are affected by Celiac disease, but 95% of those don’t know they have it. So many people suffer from stomach problems. Most of those people, unfortunately, don’t do anything about it. Luckily, with so much exposure and information available, more and more people are learning about Celiac disease and its symptoms, so they are asking their doctors about it, getting tested, and trying out gluten-free diets. The symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person, but the main ones are abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. It has also been closely related to lactose intolerance, headaches/migraines, Autism, and several other health issues. Since the symptoms and related issues can be so widespread, it can be hard to diagnose. On the other hand, someone may notice a few different symptoms that they have and a light bulb goes off in their head, maybe this is the answer to my problems! That was the case for me. I’ve known that I’m lactose intolerant for years. I have a history of migraines, and I have more stomach issues than anyone I know, despite my strict healthy diet and exercise regimen. So I gave it a try.

I did a three day cleanse to get rid of all the gluten in my body, and then I started my two week trial of a gluten-free diet. Well, by day two I could already feel an amazing difference, and I’ve been gluten-free ever since. It took me so many years of suffering before I gave it a try because first of all, I didn’t know much about it, and second, I was tested for Celiac disease years ago but it came back negative. What I didn’t understand is that I could be suffering from Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance/Sensitivity. According to Women’s Health Magazine, nearly 20 million Americans may be affected by gluten sensitivity.

If you’re one of the unlucky people dealing with some form of a gluten intolerance, stick to a gluten-free diet and you’ll love it. It’s worth the hassle. For those of you thinking it’s a new diet option, don’t bother. Not only can it be a pain to stick to, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies if you don’t plan it out well, and it also doesn’t ensure you’ll be eating low-fat, low-calorie foods. In fact, Women’s Health Magazine explains how it can be just the opposite, “Without gluten to bind food together, food manufacturers often use more fat and sugar to make the product more palatable. Consider pretzels: A serving of regular pretzels has about 110 calories and just one gram of fat. Swap them for gluten-free pretzels and you could get 140 calories and six grams of fat.” Now this doesn’t mean that by going gluten-free you have to sacrifice your health or your skinny jeans, it just means you have to do it right, just like anything else. For example, I fill up on lots of fruits and vegetables, rather than prepackaged gluten-free snacks. I almost always cook at home rather than eating out, and I make simple swaps like celery sticks and salsa rather than chips and salsa. So don’t be afraid! Going gluten-free is very doable, and the difference you’ll feel will make it all worth it.