As you might expect, a gluten-free diet is one that excludes any foods containing gluten (although trace amounts are usually tolerated). But why would you choose to go on a gluten-free diet, what are the benefits, and how effective is it?
What Is Gluten?
In order to get a better understanding of the makeup of a gluten-free diet, it is best to understand what gluten is. You will probably be surprised by the number of everyday foodstuffs that contain it.
Gluten is actually a type of protein, but you won’t find it in non-processed meats. It is typically found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and so on. Unfortunately, for those who required a gluten-free diet, it can also be found in various additives and flavorings. For instance, you may have heard of ‘dextrin’ (it can be found in many ingredients lists). Yep – it’s gluten.
Why Would You Go On A Gluten-Free Diet?
Gluten-free diets are primarily used as a means of controlling or reducing the effects of Coelic disease, and can make a world of difference to sufferers. The disease is directly caused by a reaction to gluten in the body, and so if gluten can be removed from the diet, the symptoms of the disease can be drastically reduced or even eradicated.
However, there is a growing trend of gluten-free dieters who do not suffer from Coelic disease. There is an awful lot of anecdotal (for which you should read completely unfounded!) evidence that gluten-free diets can have numerous benefits – from boosting energy to even treating autism, and many things in-between.
If you suffer from gastrointestinal problems (i.e. issues with digestion) then a gluten-free diet might be an avenue for you to explore. However, it should be noted that it can lead to certain vitamin deficiencies. If you do feel that a gluten-free diet would be a sensible course of action, it is advised that you consult your physician before proceeding.
How Easy Is It?
In a nutshell – not very. Whilst there are a huge range of specific gluten-free products available in most supermarkets, you will have to be very careful with what you choose to eat. For anyone who hasn’t formally been diagnosed with Coelic disease, we would advise that you seek medical opinion before going gluten-free. You may be putting yourself through a completely unnecessary ordeal. Self-diagnosis is never the answer!
If you would like to know more about going gluten-free, then believe it or not, a great resource to start with is Living Gluten-Free For Dummies. This comprehensive guide will give you everything that you need to know about going gluten-free.