Truth about gluten?

ashleycx
ashleycx Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
What exactly is gluten? What is a gluten free diet?
I was under the impression that gluten is mostly everything that is grains? My grandmother went on a gluten free diet and eats no wheat at all, I believe, and everything she eats is gluten free (obviously).

Have any of you went on a gluten free diet?
Pros/cons, if any?

Replies

  • jjpavio
    jjpavio Posts: 24 Member
    Gluten is the protein found in wheat, spelt, barley, and rye. Oats in and off themselves are gluten free, but most are processed in plants that also process grains with gluten, so that's why you have to look for oats that are "gluten free".

    Unless you have Celiac's disease or have been diagnosed with a gluten allergy/intolerance, there dosen't seem to be a reason to go gluten free. Doing so means you'd be missing essential B vitamins found in whole wheat, as well as lots of fiber. Plus, many foods made with "regular" flours are vitamin fortigied.

    That said, I have an autoimmune disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and HAVE been told I am allergic to wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, etc. In the last 3 weeks I have started a gluten free diet - well mostly. I eat potatoes - a girl can only give up so much. I have experienced less inflammation and pain, and LOTS less gas pain/belching, etc. So I think that for some people this kind of diet offers real benefits. Using this site helps make sure that I am still getting proper nutrition while doing so.
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    I agree with everything the above poster said. However, most people are not diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. They discover they have it after eliminating gluten from their diet for a few weeks.

    If you think you might be gluten sensitive, you can always try eliminating it. If you suspect you are celiac, you need to be actively consuming gluten in order for the test to have validity.

    Some people just eliminate grains in general. I am mildly gluten sensitive... I bloat when I eat it, but it doesn't make me sick. But I eliminated grains because foods like breads and pasta were the very foods I tended to overeat. I am not good at moderating my intake of those foods, so for me it's best to eliminate them. I now consume them only very occasionally as a "treat".

    I get my fiber and vitamins through increased fruits, veggies, and vitamins.
  • skincy
    skincy Posts: 108 Member
    Gluten is the protein found in wheat, spelt, barley, and rye. Oats in and off themselves are gluten free, but most are processed in plants that also process grains with gluten, so that's why you have to look for oats that are "gluten free".

    Unless you have Celiac's disease or have been diagnosed with a gluten allergy/intolerance, there dosen't seem to be a reason to go gluten free. Doing so means you'd be missing essential B vitamins found in whole wheat, as well as lots of fiber. Plus, many foods made with "regular" flours are vitamin fortigied.

    That said, I have an autoimmune disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and HAVE been told I am allergic to wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, etc. In the last 3 weeks I have started a gluten free diet - well mostly. I eat potatoes - a girl can only give up so much. I have experienced less inflammation and pain, and LOTS less gas pain/belching, etc. So I think that for some people this kind of diet offers real benefits. Using this site helps make sure that I am still getting proper nutrition while doing so.

    You can get plenty of essential B vitiamins and Fiber from fruits and veggies. There is no need to eat processed bread really for anyone. Does not mean you can't if you are not gluten insensative, but there is really no need and your body processes it like sugar, even when its whole wheat. You can get more fiber from fruits.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Gluten is what is in breads to make it rise, particularly wheat breads.

    "Gluten Free" depends on who's doing it. Some people claim they're going "gluten free" and just eliminate bread and grains from their diet. If you have celiacs you have to eliminate ANY product that has even a trace amount of gluten in it which means you need to do your research and read all labels because gluten is hidden in things. I found out from my sister who has celiacs that caramel coloring has gluten in it. Not only that but if you are truly going to go gluten free then you need to be aware of how food is prepared. Again, a person with Celiacs who is going out to eat and wants an order of fries needs to ask the server if the fries are cooked in the same oil that say their breaded wings or mozzarella sticks are fried in. They have to make sure that things are prepared separately etc. so that there's no chance of contamination in the foods that is gluten free.

    It's a tough living and I don't think that people who don't have an intolerance and are simply going "gluten free" just because knows exactly what it entails and how hard it actually is to live a life like that.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    Its a significant inflammatory. Some react more strongly than others. Some don't react much at all, to the point where they probably don't notice it. I cut it out a few weeks back, and just got back from the Dr and my larynx is significantly less inflamed after a year and a half of hoarseness... coincidence? Maybe... but I doubt it.
  • thisisme13
    thisisme13 Posts: 150
    There is no need to go on a gluten free diet if you don't have an issue with gluten. Going gluten free seems to be a fad for people who don't need to be eating gluten free.

    The only reason you would need a gluten free diet if you have a medical need to do so.
  • djfshop
    djfshop Posts: 63 Member
    Another thing to keep in mind. The gluten free replacements, flour, bread, bars,... are usually quite high in calories.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    There is no need to go on a gluten free diet if you don't have an issue with gluten. Going gluten free seems to be a fad for people who don't need to be eating gluten free.

    The only reason you would need a gluten free diet if you have a medical need to do so.

    which you won't know about unless you try it in many cases. ;)
  • thisisme13
    thisisme13 Posts: 150
    There is no need to go on a gluten free diet if you don't have an issue with gluten. Going gluten free seems to be a fad for people who don't need to be eating gluten free.

    The only reason you would need a gluten free diet if you have a medical need to do so.

    which you won't know about unless you try it in many cases. ;)

    This is normally the case. You can usually tell if you have some issues with gluten... sure not always but there are some signs.

    Far too often I see people going gluten free because they think it's healthier or that they will lose more weight. Try gluten free if you think you have issues with it... if nothing changes than go back and try something different. Don't go gluten free because you think you will lose more weight.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    There is no need to go on a gluten free diet if you don't have an issue with gluten. Going gluten free seems to be a fad for people who don't need to be eating gluten free.

    The only reason you would need a gluten free diet if you have a medical need to do so.

    which you won't know about unless you try it in many cases. ;)

    This is normally the case. You can usually tell if you have some issues with gluten... sure not always but there are some signs.

    Far too often I see people going gluten free because they think it's healthier or that they will lose more weight. Try gluten free if you think you have issues with it... if nothing changes than go back and try something different. Don't go gluten free because you think you will lose more weight.

    more or less agree with you. the primary concern with GF is its impact on your health and well-being.

    although in my opinion, if you focus ONLY on improving those two things, your weight loss will automatically follow.
  • chercee
    chercee Posts: 120 Member
    Going gluten-free can be beneficial, but it's not for everyone. I will say this though: even if you don't go totally gluten-free, staying away from the processed garbage is still good for you. (white bread, snack cakes, etc.)

    Gluten-free replacement foods tend to be high in fat, salt, and sugar - no one loses weight eating gluten-free doughnuts (unfortunately).

    Celiac is an autoimmune disease; gluten intolerance is another story altogether, and can be harder to nail down. For me, my severe endometriosis has made it impossible for me to digest even the tiniest amount of gluten. Listening to your body is important. If you repeatedly feel bad after eating something, you probably shouldn't eat it.

    A lot of people are going gluten-free now because they think it's a diet. It's a fad, and it something that really irritates me. When people go gluten-free without going all the way with it (avoiding cross-contamination, not having "cheat" days, etc) they put the rest of us in danger. When someone says they're gluten-free but can just "eat around the croutons," the next customer will then have to deal with the server who thinks eating around the croutons is ok, when it's not. This is what drives me crazy. If I accidentally eat a salad that had croutons on it, and they just picked them out, I would be very, very, seriously ill. No sharing cutting boards, toasters, or jars of PB. It has to be very strict for a lot of gluten-free people, and the faddists just make us all seem like loons, instead of people with health problems. Grr!! (Pardon my rant!)

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