GLUTEN - What is it? PLEASE EXPLAIN!

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in wheat and a few other grains. It's the "stretchy" component in wheat bread doughs. If you separate the gluten from the carbs in the wheat, you get seitan, a vegetarian protein or meat substitute. It doesn't occur naturally in other foods, but of course it may be added during processing.

What does it do? Aside from giving bread dough a wonderful texture? Like other proteins, it provides amino acids that your body needs to rebuild itself as it get damaged and worn out and to repair muscles after workouts.

If you don't celiac disease or some other diagnosed gluten sensitivity issue, I don't see how it would benefit you to adopt a gluten-free diet, other than to make your life complicated and possibly lighten your wallet, since many gluten-free products cost most than conventional products. Also, many of the foods in the store labeled gluten-free are at best merely offering a reassurance to those who do have celiac disease that no gluten was added in processing, since the conventional product is not traditionally made from wheat and would have no gluten unless some small amount was added in processing. It's like purely plant-based foods that are labeled "cholesterol-free."

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in wheat and a few other grains. It's the "stretchy" component in wheat bread doughs. If you separate the gluten from the carbs in the wheat, you get seitan, a vegetarian protein or meat substitute. It doesn't occur naturally in other foods, but of course it may be added during processing.

What does it do? Aside from giving bread dough a wonderful texture? Like other proteins, it provides amino acids that your body needs to rebuild itself as it get damaged and worn out and to repair muscles after workouts.

If you don't celiac disease or some other diagnosed gluten sensitivity issue, I don't see how it would benefit you to adopt a gluten-free diet, other than to make your life complicated and possibly lighten your wallet, since many gluten-free products cost most than conventional products. Also, many of the foods in the store labeled gluten-free are at best merely offering a reassurance to those who do have celiac disease that no gluten was added in processing, since the conventional product is not traditionally made from wheat and would have no gluten unless some small amount was added in processing. It's like purely plant-based foods that are labeled "cholesterol-free."

AGREE!

What does it do? Aside from giving bread dough a wonderful texture? Like other proteins, it provides amino acids that your body needs to rebuild itself as it get damaged and worn out and to repair muscles after workouts.

Now I want to make homemade soft pretzels...and bread.. And log them as muscle repair food in my food diary.

I buy the gluten free chicken pot pie at the health food store, because it has cornbread for the top crust..and it is delicious! I think next time I make chicken pot pie I will try cornbread on top instead of the pastry dough.

But what exactly is Gluten? What does it do? Is it in all foods? Would I benefit from a gluten free diet? (I have PCOS?)

If your not allergic to Gluten (which at 24 you would know by now) then no, don't do gluten free no need.

Since you've already gotten some really good responces on what gluten is, i will share my insight as a non-celiac gluten intolerant person to the gluten free diet.

Many people see weight loss results by cutting gluten becuase they are stepping away from processed foods and eating more fruits and veggies. It has nothing to do with gluten. Whole wheat is something your body needs for fiber. When you don't eat gluten it becomes very hard to eat your daily amount of it. Basically, you can only have oats, rice and corn based fiber products.