Gluten Free Does Not Mean Clean Eating!
For the last few years, going “gluten free” has become more and more popular by the average consumer. Unfortunately, most Americans are so caught up in the fad and don’t have the proper knowledge to really understand what gluten is and its effect on the body. Most people switch to a gluten free diet because they think that is the answer to some sort of weight loss fantasy. Gluten is a substance that is present in cereal grains, especially wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. Some people, like myself, have a gluten intolerance, (Celiac Disease) which causes illness when consumed, thus why the “gluten free” diet was created.
However, following a gluten free diet does not necessarily mean you are being healthy or better than someone who does eat foods contained with gluten on a regular basis. With the gluten trend growing drastically, the food industry has created substitutes like “gluten free” bread, pasta, cereals, pretzels, ice cream, potato chips and the list goes on and on. But what most people don’t know, is that those foods still contain the same amout of carbohydrates, if not more than the regular brands that do contain gluten. If someone does not have an actual gluten intolerance, it would make sense to buy a food that is made in whole grains and not the gluten free alternative because those foods high in whole grains contain a great fiber content, which at the end of the day is what leads to weight loss and a lower caloric intake (Read blog post on fiber for more details on that)
On the other hand, there has been research done on the effects of what gluten does to the body and researchers say that preventing it can help with brain disorders and foggy memory. Minimizing intake can help with people who have mental disorders like Autism, Schizophrenia and Epilepsy. But, for the average consumer, consuming gluten in a regular diet filled with whole wheat and grains will not have any adverse effects.
If you are trying to lose weight the right way, don’t go with the “gluten free” fad that the majority of the uneducated population chooses to go with. Fill your diet with foods high in fiber, whole grains and lean proteins and you will see the results you are trying to achieve.
