What are the benefits of Gluten Free?

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Replies

  • honeyandmilk
    honeyandmilk Posts: 160 Member
    I will admit that I roll my eyes at people who go GF who don't have to. Because I have to. If you don't have a medical reason, don't do it. It makes those of us who don't have a choice look like we are jumping on a bandwagon.

    I know this isn't the same thing, but this is what bothers me about being a vegetarian. I am one primarily for ethical reasons and have been for years, but I'm tired of people jumping on the veg*n bandwagon because they think it will help them lose weight, restrict, or make them supremely healthy. Also, it's damn annoying when those same people eat fish or eat a burger once a year as a "treat". It's why some people act like I'm a pain in the *kitten* because I don't want to eat chicken, fish, and mind it if my soup is made with chicken broth.

    people don't have to live their lives based on the way you live yours. and the way they live their lives has NO reflection on you. It actually has nothing to do with you at all.

    If someone wants to become a vegetarian because they want the health benefits, who are you to say that's wrong?

    Because being a vegetarian is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. And, as I said, many of those same people have a burger as a "treat" or will occasionally eat chicken or fish, and then call themselves a vegetarian. They put a label on something and adapt the lifestyle without adhering to it. Some people abandon the lifestyle if it doesn't give them what they want (e.g. weight loss). That makes things more difficult for people who DO adhere to the lifestyle and take it very seriously; we're viewed as a pain in the *kitten* because we don't have chicken "just this once".

    Although I kind of understand where you're coming from, consider this -- You don't eat meat for ethical reasons, but I don't eat meat because of an intolerance. Red meat causes vomiting, and fish poultry make me feel nauseous and give me a headache and body ache (general flu-like symptoms). It's been that way my entire life.

    So would it be fair for me to get angry at you because you are "choosing" to be a vegetarian and I have no choice (other than to make myself physically ill?) Is it wrong for me to call myself a vegetarian because you've decided that my medical necessity is your "lifestyle" and I don't adhere to the other aspects of it (for instance, I will buy leather)?? Should I get angry that people assume that I'm just being vegetarian for ethical reasons, that I could eat meat if I wanted to, and that I must be self-righteous about it and on a mission to convert them to my way of life?

    If people are eating less meat for any reason, I'd say that's a good thing, personally, because most people eat too much of it.

    ...I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. My problem isn't with people being a vegetarian (for any reason) and I obviously support people doing it. My problem is with people who label themselves a vegetarian that aren't. You can very easily limit your meat without calling yourself anything - when you decide to call yourself a vegetarian but continue to eat meat or fish, then you aren't a vegetarian. This skews the view of what a vegetarian actually is, which is immensely frustrating. It makes me feel guilty for refusing fish, soup made with meat-based broths, or sauce that had sausage/meatballs cooked in it. Some people think I'm being picky, strict or an *kitten* when I say no to "Do you eat fish?" or the like. The reason why people believe that vegetarians eat those things is because people label themselves as such and continue to eat them.

    I was by no means saying that "YOU MUST ONLY BE A VEGETARIAN FOR ETHICAL REASONS". All I was saying is that you should only use the label if you are actually vegetarian, not if you still eat chicken or fish or don't care if a restaurant uses chicken broth in their minestrone.

    For the record, I'm not just a vegetarian for ethical reasons, though that's the primary reason.
  • Arianwyn_T
    Arianwyn_T Posts: 52
    I will admit that I roll my eyes at people who go GF who don't have to. Because I have to. If you don't have a medical reason, don't do it. It makes those of us who don't have a choice look like we are jumping on a bandwagon.

    I know this isn't the same thing, but this is what bothers me about being a vegetarian. I am one primarily for ethical reasons and have been for years, but I'm tired of people jumping on the veg*n bandwagon because they think it will help them lose weight, restrict, or make them supremely healthy. Also, it's damn annoying when those same people eat fish or eat a burger once a year as a "treat". It's why some people act like I'm a pain in the *kitten* because I don't want to eat chicken, fish, and mind it if my soup is made with chicken broth.

    people don't have to live their lives based on the way you live yours. and the way they live their lives has NO reflection on you. It actually has nothing to do with you at all.

    If someone wants to become a vegetarian because they want the health benefits, who are you to say that's wrong?

    Because being a vegetarian is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. And, as I said, many of those same people have a burger as a "treat" or will occasionally eat chicken or fish, and then call themselves a vegetarian. They put a label on something and adapt the lifestyle without adhering to it. Some people abandon the lifestyle if it doesn't give them what they want (e.g. weight loss). That makes things more difficult for people who DO adhere to the lifestyle and take it very seriously; we're viewed as a pain in the *kitten* because we don't have chicken "just this once".

    Although I kind of understand where you're coming from, consider this -- You don't eat meat for ethical reasons, but I don't eat meat because of an intolerance. Red meat causes vomiting, and fish poultry make me feel nauseous and give me a headache and body ache (general flu-like symptoms). It's been that way my entire life.

    So would it be fair for me to get angry at you because you are "choosing" to be a vegetarian and I have no choice (other than to make myself physically ill?) Is it wrong for me to call myself a vegetarian because you've decided that my medical necessity is your "lifestyle" and I don't adhere to the other aspects of it (for instance, I will buy leather)?? Should I get angry that people assume that I'm just being vegetarian for ethical reasons, that I could eat meat if I wanted to, and that I must be self-righteous about it and on a mission to convert them to my way of life?

    If people are eating less meat for any reason, I'd say that's a good thing, personally, because most people eat too much of it.

    ...I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. My problem isn't with people being a vegetarian (for any reason) and I obviously support people doing it. My problem is with people who label themselves a vegetarian that aren't. You can very easily limit your meat without calling yourself anything - when you decide to call yourself a vegetarian but continue to eat meat or fish, then you aren't a vegetarian. This skews the view of what a vegetarian actually is, which is immensely frustrating. It makes me feel guilty for refusing fish, soup made with meat-based broths, or sauce that had sausage/meatballs cooked in it. Some people think I'm being picky, strict or an *kitten* when I say no to "Do you eat fish?" or the like. The reason why people believe that vegetarians eat those things is because people label themselves as such and continue to eat them.

    I was by no means saying that "YOU MUST ONLY BE A VEGETARIAN FOR ETHICAL REASONS". All I was saying is that you should only use the label if you are actually vegetarian, not if you still eat chicken or fish or don't care if a restaurant uses chicken broth in their minestrone.

    For the record, I'm not just a vegetarian for ethical reasons, though that's the primary reason.

    Okay, fair enough -- sorry for the misunderstanding.
  • geojeepgirl
    geojeepgirl Posts: 243 Member
    Im thinking just about anythig can be called a fad, since making lifetime changes are hard. But I do think it is a legitimate statement that more people are discovering they have some level of gluten intolerances and thats why its being talked about more frequently to get back to the original post.

    For me this is the benefit of being gluten free....no more moderate to severe stomach aches, no more bathroom issues, and no more migraines. Plus not sure if this is gluten related but definitely lifestyle change related, cholesterol has gone down over 40 points and triglycerides have gone down about 30 points. To me those are the benefits.

    Edit: fix grammer..darn tablet keyboard ♥
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    Phew...Okay. LOTS of information, and I would like to thank every last one of you. This is NOT a troll post...it was a legitimate question. I totally UNDERSTAND doing GF for medical reasons, like Celiac Disease, or other things related (However, I was unaware there was an intolerance, but that makes perfect sense).

    I was referring to those who are doing it for "weight loss" or because they claim it is healthier. I've never been bothered by gluten, yet I've never tried cutting it out of my diet, so who knows. I am lactose intolerant, however, so I can totally understand. It irks my nerves when people don't eat diary because they think it's the "healthy" thing to do. What I would give to eat a piece of cheese without feeling like my tummy will explode from gas lol.

    I was confused by this, so by the sounds of it, there aren't any health benefits, besides having CD or an intolerance. THAT is what I wanted to know. When I said "fad diet", I meant people who were doing it that didn't have CD. I know several people who have talked about going GF who did not have a gluten intolerance, rather they thought it was the healthy thing to do.
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
    I was referring to those who are doing it for "weight loss"

    The idea that gluten = weight gain is probably the single mst prominent thing that pisses me off since my coeliac diagnosis. It is PAINFUL having to explain at a restraunt or cafe or even to just a friend; as soon as "can't eat gluten" is said, generally eyes are rolled and it's:
    "Like that Kim Kardashian/Miley Cyrus diet, right?"
    Or even worse - the dreaded:
    "Oh yeah, my sister does that too to help her maintain her weight".

    Ugh.
  • joleenl
    joleenl Posts: 739 Member
    I would disagree that it isn't a fad, by definition. But thank you for your post. I don't know much about gluten, or Celiac Disease, so I wanted to better understand. Definitely not trying to knock GF, just really curious, and uninformed.

    Is gluten just in wheat, or is it in other products?

    If you're forced to eat a certain way because your body doesn't digest wheat, how is that a fad? it's no different from taking medicine to treat an illness - it's what you have to do to stay healthy. For people with Celiac it's not a choice. Fads are - by definition - not necessary to your health.

    Gluten is found in a number of grains:

    Barley, including barley malt
    Bran
    Bulgur
    Farina
    Kamut
    Orzo
    Semolina
    Spelt
    Wheat

    and in anything with wheat, wheat flour, white flour, etc as an ingredient. tons of processed foods also include it.

    Oh please, I know SO many people that jump on the GF train without seeing a doctor, conducting tests, seeing a nutritionist, etc. They just decide one day that going GF will change their life and make their body some high powered machine. Then when that doesn't work, they keep experimenting (e.g. going dairy free, cutting out meat, cutting our fruit, etc). Messing with your body without guidance is incredibly irresponsible and could lead to further intolerances and digestive issues. Also, going GF pretty prevalent in EDs now because it's a way to restrict the diet and avoid carbohydrates under the rouse of being GF. To say that it is helpful to many people is correct, but to say it isn't a fad is a total falsehood.

    A fad or no fad is irrelevant. I quit wheat and dairy. My nails and hair are stronger. My acne is gone. Bloating is gone. I lost some weight. I have more energy. I've never looked better and never felt better. I don't think I have a dairy intolerance but I was diagnosed by a doctor with PCOS. Quiting dairy seemed to help with the hormone imbalance associated with PCOS. Now wheat, I know I'm not celiac, but I believe I am intolerant on a certain level. Wheat makes me bloated and makes me retain water and makes me feel sluggish. I don't need a doctor to tell me how I feel. I don't give a poo if you call it a fad, it works for me and I'm not turning back.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Benefit of Gluten Free: Gluten intolerant people can eat pizza.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    It's a fad. I'm a celiac, and while its nice that I have more options now... its also very annoying when people think I can compromise on the GF diet like a vegetarian who decides they aren't one for five minutes to eat a steak. My immune system will tear me alive if I am exposed to even nearly microscopic amounts of gluten. It's not a lifestyle for me, its medical necessity to treat an autoimmune disorder, the same as diabetics have to control sugar. (these two disorders have some genetic commonality, btw)

    Also, celiac disease has nothing to do with gluten intolerance. Totally different mechanisms involved. It's not a spectrum... if you don't have the HLA immunological type that predisposes you to celiac disease, you will never get it, ever. That isn't to say that intolerance doesn't exist, just that it has nothing to do with celiac disease, it has different causes. Celiac disease is a genetic immunological disorder that's been around and known in the historical record for thousands of years, and is more prevalent in certain populations that didn't have much exposure to wheat (or its relatives) in the diet. It is highly irresponsible to go on a gluten free diet and treat it cavalierly if you actually have celiac disease, because total compliance to a gluten free diet is absolutely necessary to treat the disease. Also, I gained weight when I went GF, and while I have lost a lot of weight now too... it's got nothing to do with gluten free, plain old portion control and exercise is responsible for that.

    Since when was orzo, farina, etc grains? That one really caused me to face palm.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member

    Also, celiac disease has nothing to do with gluten intolerance. Totally different mechanisms involved. It's not a spectrum... if you don't have the HLA immunological type that predisposes you to celiac disease, you will never get it, ever. That isn't to say that intolerance doesn't exist, just that it has nothing to do with celiac disease, it has different causes. Celiac disease is a genetic immunological disorder that's been around and known in the historical record for thousands of years, and is more prevalent in certain populations that didn't have much exposure to wheat (or its relatives) in the diet. It is highly irresponsible to go on a gluten free diet and treat it cavalierly if you actually have celiac disease, because total compliance to a gluten free diet is absolutely necessary to treat the disease. Also, I gained weight when I went GF, and while I have lost a lot of weight now too... it's got nothing to do with gluten free, plain old portion control and exercise is responsible for that.

    This is what I was sorta thinking while reading some of the responses. While I understand that some people it just may not react well with their bodies, as far as I remember learning in biology sophomore year in high school, heh, that Celiac is genetic, not an allergy type thing.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505

    This is what I was sorta thinking while reading some of the responses. While I understand that some people it just may not react well with their bodies, as far as I remember learning in biology sophomore year in high school, heh, that Celiac is genetic, not an allergy type thing.

    Yes. Sometimes it is easier to tell a server you have an allergy, but it is an incorrect way to describe celiac disease. True gluten allergies are dangerous like peanut allergies (think epipen for anaphylactic shock), and a whole lot rarer than celiac disease.

    Wheat and some of its relatives can be mildly inflammatory for people, this is true... but not true for all -- barley is pretty benign on the inflammatory scale for non-celiacs, while it elicits the same reaction as wheat and rye for celiac sufferers. And preparation can reduce the problems significantly, especially the use of sourdoughs for rye and wheat flour when making bread.
  • phergert55
    phergert55 Posts: 8
    before she tries a GF diet, have her doctor to a blood test.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    It's a fad. I'm a celiac, and while its nice that I have more options now... its also very annoying when people think I can compromise on the GF diet like a vegetarian who decides they aren't one for five minutes to eat a steak. My immune system will tear me alive if I am exposed to even nearly microscopic amounts of gluten. It's not a lifestyle for me, its medical necessity to treat an autoimmune disorder, the same as diabetics have to control sugar. (these two disorders have some genetic commonality, btw)

    Also, celiac disease has nothing to do with gluten intolerance. Totally different mechanisms involved. It's not a spectrum... if you don't have the HLA immunological type that predisposes you to celiac disease, you will never get it, ever. That isn't to say that intolerance doesn't exist, just that it has nothing to do with celiac disease, it has different causes. Celiac disease is a genetic immunological disorder that's been around and known in the historical record for thousands of years, and is more prevalent in certain populations that didn't have much exposure to wheat (or its relatives) in the diet. It is highly irresponsible to go on a gluten free diet and treat it cavalierly if you actually have celiac disease, because total compliance to a gluten free diet is absolutely necessary to treat the disease. Also, I gained weight when I went GF, and while I have lost a lot of weight now too... it's got nothing to do with gluten free, plain old portion control and exercise is responsible for that.

    Since when was orzo, farina, etc grains? That one really caused me to face palm.

    lol who said they were grains themselves? simply said they contain gluten, which they do. relax, and get off that high horse for a split second. ;)
  • babyangelica2010
    babyangelica2010 Posts: 117 Member
    I will admit that I roll my eyes at people who go GF who don't have to. Because I have to. If you don't have a medical reason, don't do it. It makes those of us who don't have a choice look like we are jumping on a bandwagon.

    I know this isn't the same thing, but this is what bothers me about being a vegetarian. I am one primarily for ethical reasons and have been for years, but I'm tired of people jumping on the veg*n bandwagon because they think it will help them lose weight, restrict, or make them supremely healthy. Also, it's damn annoying when those same people eat fish or eat a burger once a year as a "treat". It's why some people act like I'm a pain in the *kitten* because I don't want to eat chicken, fish, and mind it if my soup is made with chicken broth.

    people don't have to live their lives based on the way you live yours. and the way they live their lives has NO reflection on you. It actually has nothing to do with you at all.

    If someone wants to become a vegetarian because they want the health benefits, who are you to say that's wrong?

    Because being a vegetarian is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. And, as I said, many of those same people have a burger as a "treat" or will occasionally eat chicken or fish, and then call themselves a vegetarian. They put a label on something and adapt the lifestyle without adhering to it. Some people abandon the lifestyle if it doesn't give them what they want (e.g. weight loss). That makes things more difficult for people who DO adhere to the lifestyle and take it very seriously; we're viewed as a pain in the *kitten* because we don't have chicken "just this once".

    Although I kind of understand where you're coming from, consider this -- You don't eat meat for ethical reasons, but I don't eat meat because of an intolerance. Red meat causes vomiting, and fish poultry make me feel nauseous and give me a headache and body ache (general flu-like symptoms). It's been that way my entire life.

    So would it be fair for me to get angry at you because you are "choosing" to be a vegetarian and I have no choice (other than to make myself physically ill?) Is it wrong for me to call myself a vegetarian because you've decided that my medical necessity is your "lifestyle" and I don't adhere to the other aspects of it (for instance, I will buy leather)?? Should I get angry that people assume that I'm just being vegetarian for ethical reasons, that I could eat meat if I wanted to, and that I must be self-righteous about it and on a mission to convert them to my way of life?

    If people are eating less meat for any reason, I'd say that's a good thing, personally, because most people eat too much of it.

    ...I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying. My problem isn't with people being a vegetarian (for any reason) and I obviously support people doing it. My problem is with people who label themselves a vegetarian that aren't. You can very easily limit your meat without calling yourself anything - when you decide to call yourself a vegetarian but continue to eat meat or fish, then you aren't a vegetarian. This skews the view of what a vegetarian actually is, which is immensely frustrating. It makes me feel guilty for refusing fish, soup made with meat-based broths, or sauce that had sausage/meatballs cooked in it. Some people think I'm being picky, strict or an *kitten* when I say no to "Do you eat fish?" or the like. The reason why people believe that vegetarians eat those things is because people label themselves as such and continue to eat them.

    I was by no means saying that "YOU MUST ONLY BE A VEGETARIAN FOR ETHICAL REASONS". All I was saying is that you should only use the label if you are actually vegetarian, not if you still eat chicken or fish or don't care if a restaurant uses chicken broth in their minestrone.

    For the record, I'm not just a vegetarian for ethical reasons, though that's the primary reason.

    That pisses me off too. I've been a vegetarian for over 3 months now and when I told my friend I was a vegetarian she asked me if I still ate poultry and fish. When I told her no, she said that vegetarians still eat it. She is convinced I'm wrong and that I can still eat it.
  • MommaRoseFitness
    MommaRoseFitness Posts: 87 Member
    To be honest, if you don't have an intolerance or Celiac Disease then you should not be Gluten Free. Doctors have said that over and over. But if people have stomach issues it is good to limit the amount of Gluten because it can cause bloating.
  • peckish_pomegranate
    peckish_pomegranate Posts: 242 Member
    Gluten free is totally a fad. Most people can safely eat gluten! People have been eating wheat, rye and barley for thousands of years. Gluten free foods are trendy and profitable because everyone wants to think they're doing something extra for their health, but in reality, there's nothing significant going to be gained from going on a gluten free diet unless you are part of the small percentage of people with a serious gluten sensitivity or a disease.

    If you're wanting to do something to improve your health, do something you KNOW will- like more organic foods, more whole foods.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    To be honest, if you don't have an intolerance or Celiac Disease then you should not be Gluten Free. Doctors have said that over and over. But if people have stomach issues it is good to limit the amount of Gluten because it can cause bloating.

    sigh... doctors know very little about nutrition. they're only required to take one nutrition course over the entirety of their training, and that course is based in information from the FDA, USDA, and other big business and pharma-based entities.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    Gluten free is totally a fad. Most people can safely eat gluten! People have been eating wheat, rye and barley for thousands of years. Gluten free foods are trendy and profitable because everyone wants to think they're doing something extra for their health, but in reality, there's nothing significant going to be gained from going on a gluten free diet unless you are part of the small percentage of people with a serious gluten sensitivity or a disease.

    If you're wanting to do something to improve your health, do something you KNOW will- like more organic foods, more whole foods.

    the wheat we ate thousands of years ago is essentially a completely different species than the wheat we've genetically engineered today. there are very few similarities, and today's wheat is much more difficult for the human body to digest.
  • hsandall
    hsandall Posts: 106 Member
    I have RA and just found out I have a gluten intolerance from trying it out myself after looking up the symptoms. I had all of the following for the last few years: Migraines/headaches, "Brain fog", fatigue, joint pains not being controlled by my meds, acne, bloating, severe constipation, and depression. For soooo long people/doctors told me "its just your RA" but my blood work was great and I did not have a flare-up for a year....I thought I was crazy since I went to GI for my horrible constipation which nothing would help!!!!!
    Finally 3 months ago I decided to try it for 2 weeks and see....My symptoms were better the next day....The best being no headaches/migraines!!!! I have sooo much more energy and feel great!!!! Gluten free is not for the faint of heart though...Its really tough to stick with....Please don't do it to lose weight, eat right and exercise to lose weight!!!!!
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    Gluten free is totally a fad. Most people can safely eat gluten! People have been eating wheat, rye and barley for thousands of years. Gluten free foods are trendy and profitable because everyone wants to think they're doing something extra for their health, but in reality, there's nothing significant going to be gained from going on a gluten free diet unless you are part of the small percentage of people with a serious gluten sensitivity or a disease.

    If you're wanting to do something to improve your health, do something you KNOW will- like more organic foods, more whole foods.

    the wheat we ate thousands of years ago is essentially a completely different species than the wheat we've genetically engineered today. there are very few similarities, and today's wheat is much more difficult for the human body to digest.

    If this is so, why were the statistics I learned in, what was it, 2008, in my sophomore year in high school biology, so different today? Seems as though this "gluten free" thing picked up the last few years, not the last 50.
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
    Gluten free is totally a fad. Most people can safely eat gluten! People have been eating wheat, rye and barley for thousands of years. Gluten free foods are trendy and profitable because everyone wants to think they're doing something extra for their health, but in reality, there's nothing significant going to be gained from going on a gluten free diet unless you are part of the small percentage of people with a serious gluten sensitivity or a disease.

    If you're wanting to do something to improve your health, do something you KNOW will- like more organic foods, more whole foods.
    the wheat we ate thousands of years ago is essentially a completely different species than the wheat we've genetically engineered today. there are very few similarities, and today's wheat is much more difficult for the human body to digest.
    If this is so, why were the statistics I learned in, what was it, 2008, in my sophomore year in high school biology, so different today? Seems as though this "gluten free" thing picked up the last few years, not the last 50.

    40+ years ago I had people telling me that my allergies were in my head. They didn't exist. My father started studying allergies and added it to his medical practice. Many people back then thought allergies were something that didn't exist and mocked doctors who pursued this line of study. The reality is that until something is understood and medical tests start to appear we don't really understand something all that well. It's why certain medications suddenly get pulled off the market because "Oops. We didn't understand." Now, Celiac's and Gluten sensitivities are becoming more obvious because doctors are checking for it when people come forward with a set of symptoms that match this problem. The two are very different. One involves a sensitivity to wheat that causes symptoms, the other is an immune disorder that wrecks havoc with the digestion system. They are not the same and are diagnosed differently. I have an allergy to wheat which causes wide spread rashes that can cover my body, migraine's, brain fog, psoriasis, and more. I was diagnosed and my last allergist told me to not even bother trying to rotate my diet. I truly have to just avoid it. I wish this were a fad but it's not. Unfortunately, I'm also allergic to just about everything in the environment - to the point where the nurses gasped on seeing the results of my allergy tests.

    Based on your definition of a fad, that's like a clothing style. I suspect that what you're seeing is more and more people realizing they have a problem with wheat and they are actually treating it based on their symptoms. It's not a 'fad'. A fad is something like women wearing shirts that go off the shoulder, daisy duke shorts, guys wearing skinny jeans (stealing their girlfriends) or a special weird high heel. That is what they call a fad.

    For us, this is life changing - and not an easy lifestyle. There may be people out there who are curious and they try it because they have similar symptoms. For some, they find a solution, for others...they try it and realize it's not worth it once they find out the expense of doing this diet. It's NOT cheap. You buy a loaf of bread for $3 dollars or less...mine is $6 dollars or more. Who in their right mind is going to eat this way considering the cost? No one. The reality is that people who do get away from wheat are doing so for usually medical reasons. Doctors are directing diabetics to reduce carb intake - particularly wheat- due to sugar spikes. The doctors now know more because of medical studies. You're talking a difference of 6 years - in those six years we've moved on to Android phones and skinnier laptops. Progress does happen. That's why schools update their books every 4 years.

    Here's an interesting document by a hospital that gives you a perspective of possible numbers who may have Celiac's.

    http://www.uchospitals.edu/pdf/uch_007937.pdf

    Ironically, this is from information from back in 1999. That shows you this is something that's being checked out and explored over the past 20 years. You'll see there are many diseases even listed that seem to be connected to Celiac's - hence why maybe it's more prevalent that in the past.

    Another article from CNN that talks more about it. This hopefully will help you understand why people get annoyed with the 'fad' label because of the health issues that are being treated. It's the equivalent of being back in the Victorian age and being told as a woman that you're suffering from something called "hysteria". Seriously, that's why everyone here is trying to make sure you understand - this is not a fad!

    http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/12/gluten.free.diet.improve/index.html
  • stargazer008
    stargazer008 Posts: 531
    I understand that gluten free looks to be like the latest trend in the nutrition world though it is very real, a small percent of the world suffer from it. So if you do have an allergy/intolerance to gluten, you will see great benefits in your health if you go gluten free.
  • jiggy_gibby
    jiggy_gibby Posts: 197
    A fad, my *kitten*. Pay attention to others, and maybe just maybe you'll learn a thing or two.

    Food intolerance is felt by a large number of people, most of whom will never realize it. In our house, we have 2 of our 3 daughters who struggle with food insensitivities. Their symptoms have been basic GI type issues: Chronic constipation, nighttime stomach pains, things like that. Stuff that people would say, "You should eat less cheese or bananas". After years of this, things became so bad for one of our daughters that she ended up in the hospital. They had to put her on an iv and totally clear her stomach out so it could start healing.

    We've been struggling with this for My God, years. We started thinking early on there's probably some food issues involved and started experimenting with the removal of various foods. Never with any luck. Doctors (and we took both daughters to MANY!!!) told us "Don't worry they'll grow out of it. Till then just keep pumping this drug in them". Oh no no no no no... FINALLY we found a doctor who ran some food insensitivity tests on our second daughter. Turns out though she doesn't have celiac's, she is sensitive to gluten. Amongst other things. The "other things" include corn, soy, dairy, citrus, apples, and grapes just to name a small handful. Holy cow was it a long list.

    We removed all the offending foods from our family's diet. This was NOT easy. And in no time flat, both children's symptoms disappeared. We found foods that are designed to help build GI health. It's taken a year, but we've slowly been able to reintroduce the offending foods one by one. It took a while for success to start, but with patience and diligence, we've gotten everything back on our daughters' diet but wheat. This one we're waiting a while before we start tackling it.

    While all this was going on, we started finding loads of people - young and old - who have various food insensitivities. Most of them have pretty severe problems. One person can't have corn, rice, or gluten. Another can't have dairy. Many have celiac's. My daughter has had a classmate with celiacs in her last 2 years. And all our kids know people with peanut/treenut issues. A friend just contacted me to say her son was just diagnosed with celiac's. I've been giving her tips and tricks that we've been able to figure out over our difficult journey. It's what the old pros do with the terrified newbies.

    This isn't a fad. This isn't some new weight loss diet. This isn't the cool new way to eat. This sure as sunshine isn't stylish.

    This is difficult. It's occasionally nightmarish. It's battles and yelling. It's crying because your kids can't have what everybody else has. It's not understanding why what's happening is happening. It's missing endless time from work and school visiting one doctor after another. And being endlessly frustrated with the lack of answers. It's not being able to go to restaurants anymore. It's constantly worrying if the person who said, "Oh no, there's no dairy in that" really knows what the hell she's talking about. It's starting to feel queezy and wondering what you did wrong. It's spending 2 hours at a grocery that should only take 30 minutes because you have to read all the labels. On EVERYTHING. It's paying 4 times the price for gluten free pancake mix. It's going down a grocery's brand new "Gluten Free" aisle and noticing that much of their stuff isn't gluten free at all, and wondering what kind of screw up got put in charge of this. And in my family's case, it's sitting on my child's bed stroking her hair as she cries in pain, trying really hard to not let her realize I'm crying too.

    Fad. I could only be so lucky.

    Trijoe, What a compassionate and caring father! Thank you for showing what it means to love your child and the sacrifices you make as a parent. Your girls are lucky to have you!
  • Unknown
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  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    To the OP: If you are thinking of going gluten free for whatever reason, keep in mind that simply replacing your bread with a gluten free bread filled with sugar and other junk will not be healthier, or just because a box of cookies says gluten free on the label, it does not make it "healthy" for those with zero problems digesting gluten. It is the people who think that gluten free = healthier for those who can digest gluten (my father is one of those people) that have made it a "fad."

    All that being said, if you have chronic digestive issues, or headaches, or sinus problems, "brain fog," etc. then trying an elimination diet (including gluten) is not a bad idea. As others have mentioned, celiac and gluten intolerance are not the same thing. I was diagnosed years ago with IBS and had migraines and chronic sinus problems since I was a child. My GP never took my complaints seriously and told me I just had to live with it while prescribing various medications. I also used to have a severe cow's milk intolerance, which I apparently grew out of because I was no longer violently ill at the slightest taste of cow's dairy. (Note: this is not lactose intolerance.) After trying an elimination diet at the suggestion of my chiropractor (I was seeing him for migraines), I found that my IBS got about 90% better and my sinus problems cleared, as did the brain fog (I'm still working on the migraines). HOWEVER, in my case, the intolerance for me was not gluten, which I discovered by reintroducing the foods. I can still eat wheat and other grains that have gluten in them, but not "junk" breads that are highly processed. I do not have any reactions when I eat sprouted grains and I also don't eat a lot of wheat in general. So...my point is, going "gluten free" for "health" reasons is a good idea just to see how your body reacts (and then reintroduce them), BUT, that's not the only thing you should be eliminating, in my opinion.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    There is more public awareness to celiac's disease. That is why some may want to label it a fad. However I went through 10 uncomfortable years of visits to the specialist before anyone thought to test me for celiac. And guess what, I am celiac, and now that I eat gluten free I no longer have unexplained rash, constant intestinal discomfort, compromised immune system, brainfog, and tiredness.
    There are many gluten sensitive or wheat sensitive people out there as well that do better without a diet heavey in wheat.
    Reasons why it is more common? Our diets have changed, our food sources have changed. In the past, we ate many types of grain, and many different types of wheat. Now most products in the grocerey store are from one type of genetically modified wheat, specificaly modified to contain more gluten.
    Also in speaking to a proffesional baker he admitted that most healthy breads contain added gluten. For the reason that people want their healthy bread to be the consistancy of the white fluffy wonder bread. In order to make the loaf rise and not fall apart, you add more gluten.....
    If gluten has no affect on you then be happy, but please don't make people feel small or "fadish" for investigating what makes them feel healthier and happier.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505

    lol who said they were grains themselves? simply said they contain gluten, which they do. relax, and get off that high horse for a split second. ;)

    Orzo can be made GF, its just pasta in the shape of rice.

    Farina is well... a kind of flour. And again, not dependent on the type of grain, its a style. Schaer makes a GF variety.

    As for who said it, you did.
    Gluten is found in a number of grains:

    Barley, including barley malt
    Bran
    Bulgur
    Farina
    Kamut
    Orzo
    Semolina
    Spelt
    Wheat
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    side note to the poster above me. I too was mis-diagnosed as IBS before being propperly diagnosed as Celiac.
  • TrishLG
    TrishLG Posts: 173 Member
    Wheat is no longer wheat as God intended. Man has re-engineered it. I grew up on pastas and breads.
    I brought my children up on both made from scratch.
    Then one time I was hospitalized for a proceedure. So I did not eat for a run of maybe 48-72 hours. I was shocked to see that the arthritis in my hands had all but disappeared.
    I guessed correctly that something I was eating was inflaming my arthritis, so I began just eating things that people usually have no issue with, greens, meat. The arthritis stayed calm, I could still bend my fingers without pain.
    I added back rice, ok,
    Anyway,it turned out that I could not have wheat, potatoes, nuts, eggs, corn, cured or processed meat products (nitrates), dried fruit (sulphates), MSG in prepared foods, the night shade vegetables. Also Celebrex and Aleve. I took them for pain, but they were causing the inflamation.

    They put pepper in topical meds because the pepper opens the pores to let the medicine in.
    As we get older, our senses dull, vision, smell, taste, hearing, so we tend to add hot pepper to our food.
    Mean while, doctors discovered something called leaky bowel syndrome.
    My theory is that pepper opens the walls of the intestine just as it allows meds to absorb through the skin, it causes undigested food into the body through the much thinner than skin intestine walls.
    The immune system goes on the attack for these foreign particles, then go after the joints.

    Now I have added back all foods except hot pepper in any form, peanuts, and wheat. No disease, just can not tolerate either.
    So now, without hot pepper in any form, the only two things that will still inflame the arthritis are wheat, peanuts, and those poison chemical additives.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Farina:

    http://www.nuts.com/cookingbaking/grains/rice/organic-farina-gluten-free.html

    For pasta making -- http://www.schaer.com/en/gluten-free-products/farina/

    Orzo -- http://www.delallo.com/products/delallo-gluten-free-pasta-–-corn-rice-orzo

    Bran is just the hard outer layer of cereal grains, not all of which are in the wheat family.

    Semolina -- there are alternatives made with buckwheat.
  • jiggy_gibby
    jiggy_gibby Posts: 197
    It is not a fad to people who are diagnosed with celiacs and to people who are not diagnosed but who had results/relief from other GI symptoms.

    My GI doc told me gf was "a fad"; in fact, he was pretty dismissive about a food based approach to treating ulcerative colitis other than a low residue, low fiber diet. He is the president of a medical college- I went to him because I heard he was the "best"!

    However, I spoke to my primary doc and she encouraged me to try a food based approach. Hell yeah I have improved. Been flare and symptom free for 2 years now. WITH NO MEDS. And I eat high fiber foods now that my intestine has healed!

    GF is not easy at first, not cheap and you will not lose weight if you use the gf products which are often made with potato or rice flours.

    OP, finally, DO I care what other people think, maybe like you who wonders if it is a fad? Nope. If you think it's a fad, fine... but really, if someone else is doing it for their health or their own reasons, they why should it matter to you?

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