to be Gluten free?! yes? no?

Beauty0619

I've noticed that a couple of MFP friends are "gluten free". does that change anything in the caloric intake? is it less carbs? what? Can someone please enlighten me?

cheetahcub2010

Unless you have a gluten intolerance, it's really not a good idea health wise to go gluten free.

vim_n_vigor

Gluten free just means that they either can't or are trying not to eat foods containing gluten. You can eat high carb or low carb while gluten free, just like you can while eating gluten. Most people who are gluten free are because they are allergic or overly sensitive to it.

angel79202

Unless you have a gluten intolerance, it's really not a good idea health wise to go gluten free.

Yup I agree there..also it's really expensive..my friend has to do it and wow!

Nerdy_Rose

If I had a choice, I would *not* be gluten-free. I am gluten intolerant and was really sick for over a year before I figured it out. I would give my pinky finger to have regular bagels again....

CAlivinMO

Most gluten free foods are actually higher in caloric value so it is not necessary unless you suffer from Celiac disease or are affected by a sensativity to gluten. Stick with a healty well-balanced diet and you'll be fine!

bhb301

Gluten free diet means either they are allergic to wheat, gluten or have an intolerance. It causes a lot of medical issues so if you do you have to avoid gluten all together. So Bread, pasta, crackers, cookies etc are out.

lesliemk

Unless you have a gluten allergy/sensitivity it's not really necessary. I'd just suggest going with sprouted grain breads and such, much easier on your digestive system and better for you.

Beauty0619

Gluten free just means that they either can't or are trying not to eat foods containing gluten. You can eat high carb or low carb while gluten free, just like you can while eating gluten. Most people who are gluten free are because they are allergic or overly sensitive to it.

Oh!! gotcha!! I see that's expensive as well! Does it alter the taste of the food?

Drunkadelic

Unless you have a gluten intolerance, it's really not a good idea health wise to go gluten free.

Based on what?

I'm gluten free with no gluten intolerance. But I'm also completely grain free because my diet is mostly Primal. So far, it has done wonders for me.

So I say YES! But you have to be willing to get rid of wheat...

jamk1446

There is plenty of gluten-free junk available so gluten-free itself doesn't mean lower calories or necessarily better for you. But if you are swapping out gluten-foods for naturally gluten-free foods- meat, eggs, veggies, fruits it can definitely impact your caloric intake as well as your general health.

Whether you have a clinical need for going gluten-free, like celiac disease or gluten intolerance, or not, some people have found they feel better cutting it out of their diets anyway. But just to jump on the gluten-free trend without understanding why or using it as an excuse to eat more nutritionally devoid foods won't give you much health benefit.

Nerdy_Rose

Gluten free just means that they either can't or are trying not to eat foods containing gluten. You can eat high carb or low carb while gluten free, just like you can while eating gluten. Most people who are gluten free are because they are allergic or overly sensitive to it.

Oh!! gotcha!! I see that's expensive as well! Does it alter the taste of the food?

Yes. It also alters the consistency, since gluten provides elasticity in dough. It's pretty difficult to find normal-tasting gluten-free products, so I usually just avoid bread stuffs.

SuperKatie

I wouldn't be gluten free unless I was forced. It's nice to have a sandwich on whole grain bread and not get sick afterwards. I did notice a large drop when I stopped eating it, but that's b/c I lost so many other foods as well.

LeonaB17

I have recently gone Gluten Free - If you want some insight from a medical professional - I recommend you read the book Wheat Belly. A very good read and very informative!!

Drunkadelic

I have recently gone Gluten Free - If you want some insight from a medical professional - I recommend you read the book Wheat Belly. A very good read and very informative!!

Second

kerriknox

I recently went gluten free as well. Not due to an intolerance, just for health reasons. I have not found it more expensive or a problem. I think it may be more expensive if you are eating processed foods and buying the gluten free option but if you cut out processed foods as well then there isn't a huge difference.

I bake with coconut flour now and althoug it is a different consistancy to wheat flour I find it is just as good.

I am not sure why the other posters have said it is not a good idea - everything I have read indicates that eating gluten is what is not a good idea. Not the opposite.

NiciS72

Most of the folks on here who you see are GF do it because of health issues not just a lifestyle change. Some reasons for that are: Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, Wheat Allergy, Autism, etc. etc.

That said, the comment that it is not a good idea healthwise is incorrect. For example: People with celiac disease are more likely to have:

Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren syndrome
Addison's disease
Down syndrome
Intestinal cancer
Intestinal lymphoma
Lactose intolerance
Thyroid disease
Type 1 diabetes

Also, the statement that most GF foods are higher in calories is not true. Some are, but you really have to look at the labels. For example when we went GF 2 years ago my husband lost 30 pounds as I only cook GF. Tell me why that happened with not other changes?

As one poster said you can do low or high carb and be GF. It is more expensive if you plan on replacing all your foods with GF options i.e. bread, pasta, cereal, etc. HOWEVER, if you choose to go low carb and or eat clean, it really isn't more expensive.

If you are still interested in doing so for a change, feel free to friend me and/or e-mail me with questions!

momof8munchkins

There is plenty of gluten-free junk available so gluten-free itself doesn't mean lower calories or necessarily better for you. But if you are swapping out gluten-foods for naturally gluten-free foods- meat, eggs, veggies, fruits it can definitely impact your caloric intake as well as your general health.

Whether you have a clinical need for going gluten-free, like celiac disease or gluten intolerance, or not, some people have found they feel better cutting it out of their diets anyway. But just to jump on the gluten-free trend without understanding why or using it as an excuse to eat more nutritionally devoid foods won't give you much health benefit.

This