Should you go Gluten Free?

Surely you’ve heard about gluten-free diets. Surely you’re encountering more and more labels touting their “Gluten-Free” status. Surely you’ve thought to yourself, “should I be eating this gluten stuff?”

First of all let’s discuss what gluten actually is. Gluten is a component in some breads and grains that binds it together. It’s what makes bread elastically delicious, giving it a chewy, dense texture. Gluten is found in all products made with wheat, and due to processing and transportation techniques, it is often found in grains that naturally do not contain gluten, like oats.

So why do some people need to go without gluten? The most serious cause is Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder, which affects roughly .5% of the population, and causes extreme health issues and even death if improperly diagnosed. The next steps down are gluten intolerance and wheat allergies. Intolerance means that one’s body simply doesn’t know what to do with the stuff. Intolerance often results in bloating, excess gas and digestion issues, but does no other harm – other than a possibly embarrassing bathroom situation (ahem). A wheat/gluten allergy is similar to any other allergy, meaning that the symptoms cease when the allergen has left the body, without negative lingering effects.

If you experience frequent: indigestion, bloating or uncomfortable digestive issues, gluten could be the culprit for the aforementioned maladies. One way to find out is to go without. Eating gluten-free for at least one week (two is best) is sufficient to test for a gluten intolerance or wheat/gluten allergy and incorporate natural healing techniques. What the heck has gluten in it, you ask? There are dozens of resources online, in bookstores, and in doctor’s offices to see all the hidden sources of gluten. It’s in more than you’d think.  

If going gluten-free for a week clears your system of its woes, you’re on your way to finding an answer. Reintroducing gluten into your system is the real test, which is often accompanied by a reaction. Many food allergies go undiagnosed, so if you feel the problem may be more serious than indigestion, ask your doctor about getting tested for celiac disease or a wheat/gluten allergy.

Weight loss is another viable reason to steer clear or gluten. If you don’t have an allergy or intolerance to gluten going without it usually just means you’re going without carbohydrates like: breads, pasta, pizza, cakes, cookies, etc. Cutting these often nutritionally void food items could benefit your overall health and help you shed pounds as well. 

FeelGoodNow Contributor: Lucy Anne Kagan

When she isn't studying food policy or working with non-profit Apple Seeds Inc., to educate children about healthy eating habits, Lucy spends her time in a cowboy hat, riding pretty ponies through the wilderness. She has a propensity for running and wishes she lived in a world where fast food was non-existent, naps were mandatory, and all cows ate nothing but grass.


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