Most People Shouldn't Eat Gluten-Free

[xchrom]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=most-people-shouldnt-eat-gluten-free



Many Americans are considering cutting back on the amount of gluten in their diets or avoiding it altogether. However, nutritionists say that if this is not done carefully, the diet can be unhealthy.

In a recent poll, 30 percent of adults said they wanted to "cut down or be free of gluten," according to The NDP Group, the market-research company that conducted the poll. That's the highest percentage of people to report having this goal since the poll began asking the question in 2009, NDP says.

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, including wheat, rye and barley. It's found in most breads, cereals, pastas and many processed foods, according to WebMD. People who havea condition calledceliac disease develop an immune reaction to gluten that damages the intestine, and so they need to avoid the protein. About 1 percent of the population has celiac disease.

For most other people, a gluten-free diet won't provide a benefit, said Katherine Tallmadge, a dietitian and the author of "Diet Simple" (LifeLine Press, 2011). What's more, people who unnecessarily shun gluten may do so at the expense of their health, Tallmadge said.

[hlthe2b]

1. Actually those on moderately low carb diets (low glycemic index) are generally gluten free

Last edited Tue Mar 12, 2013, 12:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Maybe not intentionally, but as a byproduct. And it is hard to argue that restricting the diet to signficant amounts of low glycemic index vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean protein/fish and healthy fats is "detrimental to health"...

I realize the author is speaking to those who substitute high gluten products (pasta, breads and other baked products) with gluten free varieties, but really ought to be a lot more precise in their language/discussion.

[Lex]

5. Yes, it's a poorly written article.

I eat a low carb diet, very rarely eat wheat, and I eat plenty of fiber in the form of greens, low carb vegetables, berries, nuts, flax, chia, etc.

I don't need wheat in my diet at all, despite what "nutritionists say." I feel much better without it, in fact.

[hlthe2b]

6. Yes, ditto...

the energy lows following eating are gone, as is the heartburn and general sluggishness-- and I've finally been able to steadily drop my excess weight without worrying about every calorie.

[chervilant]

2. Some MDs promise

miraculous weight loss for those brave enough to go gluten free (for example, 'Wheat Belly,' by Dr. William Davis).

One thing I've learned in my half century on this planet: we're all different with regards to which foods our bodies tolerate--and how our bodies digest each food. When we learn to 'listen' to our bodies, we can learn to eat well.

[Iwasthere]

3. BINGO

Listen to your body! And no one can truthfully say they feel good or healthy after eating a 1 pound cinnimon roll...

[Warpy]

4. Going gluten free is a pain in the ass and certainly no miracle cure

for much of anything unless one is celiac. Celiac disease is life threatening and has to be taken very seriously.

I'm an even rarer bird, one who developed an allergy to wheat. If I eat it, I get an itchy rash and start to wheeze. Unlike celiacs, I can tolerate very small amounts of it here and there. The reaction is just bad enough that I don't tempt fate.

Substitute baked goods run into serious money, though, so I can't imagine doing this on a whim or because some guy wrote a book promising if you avoid wheat you'll turn into a supermodel and learn to cha-cha overnight.