Tips on Going Gluten Free

In the past five years the idea of going gluten free has gained a lot of publicity and attention from both sides of the aisle. There is always a fad diet that grabs people’s attention and marks an era in weight loss ideas, and some argue that this is what the gluten free industry is accommodating. However, going gluten free is very different than following the Atkins diet or trying out another latest dieting trend for weight loss in Rochester Hills. That is because the gluten free market is actually aimed towards helping people fundamentally improve their digestive health by reducing inflammation, and not directly at supporting weight loss.

Who should go Gluten Free?

This question has received an incredible deal of research attention in recent years. Overall, the answer is that a gluten free diet is ideal for those who are diagnosed with Celiac, an autoimmune disease that makes it difficult for the digestive tract to process foods that contain gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, malt and rye. However, there are many people who find that cutting down on gluten or eliminating it from the diet altogether improves digestive function.

In general, removing gluten from the diet is not a harmful practice, and in some cases can support weight loss much in the same way that the Atkins diet did—by reducing carb consumption. However, with the huge market of gluten free foods that are available now, simply swapping out a regular burger bun for a gluten free burger bun is not the best answer.

Going gluten free isn’t the easiest endeavor, but it is possible by planning your meals ahead of time, paying close attention to food labels, and being mindful of snacking habits.

Here are a few tips for going gluten free:

• Avoid eating out as much as possible. Try to plan social events around non-meal times, or arrange for the meal to be homemade. You’ll also want to bring your own lunch to work and not rely on fast food or cafeteria options.
• Pay close attention to food labels. This is especially important if you do have a sensitivity to gluten, as forms of gluten like maltodextrin are often used as a replacement for traditional sugar.
• Plan your meals way ahead of time to avoid the sudden predicament of hunger. When you know your diet is restricted for any reason, your best bet is to plan your meals long before hunger strikes.

While recent research shows that going gluten free isn’t medically necessary for everyone, there is no research indicating that eliminating gluten from the diet is harmful. Many people report positive health experiences after only several days of cutting out gluten. Before you make any changes to your eating habits, however, it is recommended that you consult with a functional medicine specialist who can tell you if cutting gluten is likely to help you or not.