By Amber-Ray Davidson, Student NutritionistWhat is gluten anyways? Gluten is a protein made up of two components: gliadins and glutenins. Where is gluten found? The "Big 3" sources of gluten are wheat, barley, and rye. (Check out the awesome glossary of grains and flours to learn about the sources of gluten) Is it like...safe? I heard it was unhealthy.
If you don't have celiac disease, wheat allergy, or gluten sensitivity (all of which should be discussed/confirmed with your health care provider), then you are cleared to go ahead and eat foods with gluten. The UCLA Division of Digestive Disease has a useful site on the signs and symptoms. Only 1% of the American population have been diagnosed with celiac disease, and 83% of Americans with celiac disease have been misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. So why is "gluten-free" such a big thing these days? ....it's trendy. Plenty of "resources" on blogs and non-credible sites will advocate that a gluten-free diet will help you lose weight and will stop you from poisoning your body and make you a super healthy person overall. The "good feels" that many claim to get from removing gluten from their diet is likely attributed to cutting out the excess calories associated with gluten-containing foods. However, cutting the gluten usually comes with cutting out foods with important nutrients, such as fiber, iron, folate, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and zinc. Plus, why cut out so many fun foods if you don't have to? So, what's the final verdict? If you feel really terrible whenever you eat food that contains gluten or you just really want to know if you have a reason to go gluten-free, go to your health care provider and get checked on. If you find that you are not diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or sensitivity, or wheat allergy, then great. Eat gluten foods in moderation (just like everything else). If you are looking to be healthier or lose weight, do some concrete research (think government agency sites, official organizations, articles written by registered dietitians (RDs)) or look into finding a registered dietitian in your area that can guide you in nutrition counseling!
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