Labels indicating what is in your food are everywhere – written in restaurant menus, on wrappers, even at the dining halls. Many Americans have become more conscious about what they eat for multiple reasons: allergies, to watch their weight, or to have a special diet, just to name a few.
I’ve grown up aware of nut allergies, but a craze I have noticed especially recently is people going gluten-free. Have an upset stomach? Many now turn to this diet as a first resort to resolve the issue.
Two to three million Americans, less than 1% of the population, have Celiac Disease, but another 18 million Americans have gluten sensitivity, so they experience discomfort without the intestinal damage.
But what about the rest of the population? Whatever their issue is, some claim after trying the new trend, “Oh, I feel so much better!” or “I have much more energy!”
I would believe this, depending on how someone else goes about it. To reap the weight-loss benefits most are going for, you must cut out or reduce carbohydrate intake. There are many gluten-free breads, pastas, cakes, and other products. It doesn’t make sense to replace your gluten-filled unhealthy foods with the gluten-free version. Eating these does not help you lose weight or become healthier. It’s actually often worse because there are fewer vitamins and more sugar. This in turn can result in weight gain. There are also still just as many, sometimes more, carbohydrates in gluten-free replacement products. Just look at the nutrition facts.
A low-carb or simply, a generally healthier diet would be a more appropriate label for someone not replacing what they previously ate with gluten-free labeled foods. There are some foods, however, that now include a gluten-free label when they are obviously gluten free. Yogurt is clearly dairy. Popcorn is clearly corn. There is no wheat, barley, or rye in these products.
My question is if people actually feel better physically or mentally when they cut out gluten for reasons other than intolerance or Celiac. It makes sense that eating healthier with more fresh foods, protein, and carb-less foods will make your body feel better because you are treating it better. But, if someone limits unhealthy food intake, I would think that they would feel more confident and all around better about themselves because they know they are doing their body a favor by not indulging.
Call it what you want, a gluten-free diet, a low-carb diet. In my opinion, going gluten-free can be an outlet for people to more easily tell others they are on a diet, or a way to accept it themselves.
Our society can be so judgmental. It’s possible people are embarrassed to say they are on a diet because it is shows they are insecure about their bodies or lifestyle. Wanting to live a healthier life should be something to be proud of.