There are so many diet fads these days because people have become more conscious about their health. However, some don’t research about the pros and cons of a particular diet before they try it out. Moreover, they aren’t aware of their health conditions, which make it more challenging to find the best regimen to suit their needs.
One type of diet that has gained traction in recent years is the gluten-free diet. As implied by its name, it entails avoiding food that are made from wheat, barley, and rye, such as pasta, bread, and even beer and ale.
If you’re planning to try this diet plan, you should do your research and learn the gluten facts and myths that you should know about. It’s best to consult your doctor so that you’ll know whether this type of regimen will benefit your health.
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A gluten-free diet is only mandatory for people who have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune condition that mistakenly sees gluten as a foreign threat. Patients who suffer from this condition may experience sharp stomach pain or discomfort, bowel movement problems, bloating, and skin rashes when the body tries to fight off gluten proteins.
This attack can damage the walls in one’s gut, hence the digestive issues. It can also result in nutrient deficiencies and even anemia.
Gluten poses a real threat to the health of people with celiac disease. However, some who don’t suffer from this condition think that following this diet can help them shed off some pounds.
For those with celiac disease, as well as gluten sensitivity and wheat allergy, you may even gain weight when you use this meal plan because your stomach would start to heal. This would improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Plus, some gluten-free alternatives have a higher fat and sugar content to compensate for the flavor and texture.
Foods that are based on wheat, barley, malt, and rye are primary sources of carbohydrates. When you go on a diet that avoids them altogether, you should make sure to find replacements since neglecting to do so could lead to nutrient deficiency.
You risk losing amino acids, B vitamins, and iron by eliminating these fortified foods from your daily diet. Fortunately, you can mitigate this possibility by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Beans, legumes, eggs, fish, and poultry are viable sources of protein as well.
If you still want to go on this regimen even if you don’t have gluten sensitivity, you should also make sure to pick the best health products. This way, you can ensure that your body still gets optimum nutrition.
On the other hand, some people with gluten allergies would rather live with digestion problems rather than live a tasteless and boring gastronomic life. Unless you live on a high-carbohydrate diet, switching to a gluten-free diet shouldn’t be such a chore.
It’s universally acknowledged that humans must eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you already follow this, it shouldn’t be too challenging to avoid glutens. You can also find lots of gluten-free recipes online to help you make the journey more bearable.
Lean beef, chicken, and seafood don’t contain gluten. Potatoes, eggs, and corn are safe to eat as well.
Research is your number one tool when you follow this diet plan. You shouldn’t rely only on the gluten-free tag for packaged food. This is because companies aren’t required to use the term on the label, which means that doing this when going for groceries can significantly limit your choices. Conversely, you may also mistakenly consume food with gluten, which can be life-threatening for those with severe celiac disease.
Additionally, remember that something ‘wheat-free’ might not necessarily mean ‘gluten-free.’ With this, it’s better to learn about ingredients that are safe for you to eat so that you can scour the supermarket aisles with confidence.
Conclusion
Going on a gluten-free diet is ideal for people with celiac disease since the autoimmune condition poses health hazards. However, people who don’t have gluten sensitivities or allergies, but are thinking of following this regimen to lose weight, it might not be effective for shedding off the pounds. You should also make sure that you don’t miss out on vital nutrients that are provided by wheat, barley, and rye.
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