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Call it a new food trend, but the gluten-free diet is really not a food trend to keep you fit and sexy. Sadly, the word gluten seems to be looked at as a bad word these days, and although it doesn’t carry any nutritional value, the food that contains gluten generally do. Celiac disease is an auto-immune disease that damages the lining of the digestive tract, and gluten is the general source to trigger this disease. The gluten-free diet was introduced to celiacs to give them the chance to enjoy food while knowing what to avoid and such. However, the diet seems to be gaining attention as a new weight-loss program like the Atkins diet, where all forms of carbohydrates are eliminated. Here are a couple of facts about gluten and everything associated with it to help you decide if it’ll be the right choice for you.
A Gluten-free Diet Won’t Help You Lose Weight
A lot of people believe that going on a gluten-free diet would help you lose weight and shed off fat, but that’s hardly the case. And Italian research that was conducted concluded that going gluten-free is merely just a placebo for making healthier options. People would only lose weight because of the ‘excitement’ in adapting and opting for a healthy lifestyle by cutting down on complex carbs, exercising and reaching for more vegetables. There really isn’t much of a different when you swap gluten-free bread for actual bread – there’s possibly the same calorie count after all. Only venture into a gluten-free diet if you have celiac disorder.
Going Gluten-free Isn’t Cheap
The Malaysian diet consists of complex carbs, and although rice does not contain gluten, it’s still just about in all of our everyday favorites – breads, crackers, cookies, cakes, pizza and even beer. You could consider going for the gluten-free flour, but they do cost a lot and it’ll require baking your own bread. Unless if you have the time, then looking for a gluten-free cafe or restaurant is going to be tough. And even if there was one, it’ll cost you a fortune to dine.
Celiacs Endure More Than Bloat
One of the most common symptoms of celiac disease is recurring painful bloating, but it goes beyond that too. They can often suffer from liver disorders, iron deficiency anemia, pain in the joints, skin rashes, and foul-smelling stool. It can also affect the mental health, causing psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression too.
Gluten Sensitivity Does Not Equate to Celiac Disease
Some people are in fact sensitive to gluten, but that does not mean they suffer from Celiac Disease. The Gluten-free diet has been glamorized but gluten has always been apart of the human diet for centuries, so what makes it more serious now? If you do suffer from gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet is not necessary as you’ll lack essential vitamins, minerals and fiber. It’s only essential for people who suffer from celiac disease, so don’t simply take your chances as you’ll suffer from lack of nutrition.
