The newest nutrition trend is here—the gluten-free diet! This fad is gaining traction in the weight loss community, especially among celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow. New alternatives to foods that contain gluten have also entered the marketplace to keep up with this trend. However, does eliminating gluten from your diet really produce noticeable results? Her Campus Alabama is here to answer all your questions about the gluten-free diet trend!
What is Gluten? Can Some People Not Consume Gluten?
Gluten is a protein substance found in grains like wheat, barley and rye, and it can be used in other foods to add flavor and texture. People who have celiac disease, a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine, cannot consume foods that contain gluten without experiencing adverse effects. There is currently no cure for celiac disease, but those who suffer from the condition can adopt a gluten-free diet to suppress symptoms.
Some people find that eating gluten upsets their stomachs or produces other unpleasant side effects. However, this does not mean you have celiac disease! This condition, known as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity, was not widely acknowledged as a legitimate ailment by doctors until recent years. Unlike patients with celiac disease, people who have gluten sensitivity do not experience damage to the lining of their small intestine from consuming gluten, but they may experience discomfort.
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Should I Try A Gluten-Free Diet?
The gluten-free diet is being adopted by plenty of people who don’t suffer from either celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Many omit gluten as a way to lose weight or feel healthier.
Contrary to popular belief, gluten does not cause weight gain. But there is a hidden benefit to limiting gluten in your diet! In an interview on Forbes.com, author and gluten-free expert Jacqueline Mallorca explained, “the reason that many people find that their health improves dramatically if they scrupulously avoid wheat for a week or two is simple: they are, ipso facto, side-stepping highly processed junk foods, and probably losing a few pounds in the process.” Gluten is used in many processed foods to add texture and flavor, and limiting these high-calorie foods will benefit your health and can lead to weight loss.
A strict gluten-free diet, however, may not be the wisest choice for those without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Dr. Joel Mason, a professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts University, told The Boston Globe that the gluten-free diet is “not an ideal weight-loss plan” and that many gluten substitutes are high in calories and fat. He added that the diet is also short on vitamins and nutrients, including B vitamins, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and magnesium.
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How Easy Is Implementing a Gluten-Free Diet?
Eating only gluten-free foods is not a simple task. Elaine Song, a junior at The University of Alabama majoring in management information systems (MIS,) said one of her friends is currently on the diet due to stomach issues but would prefer to not be on it. Elaine also added that while her friend did lose some weight, maintaining the diet was not easy. Gluten-free meals are hard to find in restaurants and manufactured gluten-free foods in grocery stores are often more expensive than their gluten containing counterparts.
Simply put, the gluten-free diet is not for everyone. If you believe that you may have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, talk with your doctor and ask him or her to run tests specific to these conditions. If you do not have either condition but want to see if a gluten-free diet will improve your health, talk with your doctor before making any major dietary changes, and only begin eliminating gluten if he or she says it is safe. As with all diet changes, supplement any lost nutrients with multivitamins or vitamin-rich foods and listen to your body!
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