Gluten Free Diets
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
Common gluten-containing foods
Bread, pasta, pizza, beer, cereal, etc.
Who follows a Gluten Free diet?
People with celiac
People who have gluten sensitivity
If you feel better without it
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the consumption of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.
People who have celiac disease experience severe discomfort or pain when they eat foods that have gluten.
Even something that was prepared on the same surface that gluten was could cause damage
Look for the Certified gluten free symbol on food labels
Gluten Free options/substitutions
Rice
Corn tortilla
Beans
Almond
Buckwheat
Potato
Soy
Should you go gluten free?
Studies show there is little to no nutritional benefit of avoiding gluten for people who don’t have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease
Some people report feeling better after avoiding gluten
Replacing processed simple carbs with complex carbs is a good ideas, whether you’re gluten free or not
If you do chose to go gluten free, make sure you are still getting all of the vitamins and minerals that many bread and cereal products are fortified with
As always, talk to your doctor first
Sources
https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916
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