Is Gluten-free a Fad?
Everywhere you look you see product labels proclaiming the gluten free status. Even items that are naturally gluten free now say Gluten free on the label. It’s a good marketing ploy because of the popularity of the diet. But, does this mean that Gluten free is a fad diet?
The Truth about Gluten
According to WebMD.com, approximately 5 percent of the population is thought to be suffering from Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a condition in which the body is unable to process gluten, a type of protein in wheat. This condition can manifest in many ways such as bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, body pain, and even intestinal cancers. It can cause very serious problems in the sufferer. In order to get relief, those suffering from Celiac Disease must try to remove all gluten from their diet.
Another five percent of the population is thought to be gluten intolerant. Meaning that gluten causes some symptoms or problems such as skin rashes and stomach issues but is not life threatening. In these people lowering the amount of or eliminating gluten from the diet can help with the symptoms and improve the quality of life vastly.
Giving up gluten has many benefits and can cause no harm. Therefore, even those who have no intolerance or disease can go gluten free. As long as they replace the potential vitamins that might be missed by eliminating gluten such as some B vitamins, they will most likely feel better.
Is This Fad Bad?
Certainly, companies are going to use Gluten free in their marketing endeavours. They are always on the lookout to see where and how to jump on the newest bandwagon sweeping the nation. It’s just good marketing.
So while it may be considered a fad, it won’t harm anyone. In addition, giving up gluten can help improve the quality of life for many people. As time moves forward more and more gluten free alternatives will most likely appear on store shelves. The trick is to try to only use ingredients that are as close to nature as possible. Avoid getting caught up in using too many fake processed foods.
Benefits of Giving up Gluten
Many people who give up gluten do not experience any difference in their lives at all, but some might argue that the reason is because they didn’t give it enough time. Unlike some allergies, it can take a long time for the gut to heal from the damage caused by the gluten. This is especially true if for those living with Celiac Disease.
To really experience the benefits of giving up gluten, make it a goal to give up gluten for at least a full year to see what the long term effects are. Many people report clearer skin, improved digestion, weight loss, and other benefits of going gluten free – but only if they remember that gluten free baked goods are still often high in fat and calories and should be limited when eating.