Gluten free: good idea?

[Anonymous]

I am thinking to go gluten free is it beneficial?

[MapleFairy]

Gluten does mess with the body's ability to process nutrients, so eliminating or moderating gluten in your diet would be beneficial. In order to do this in a healthy way, you will need to gradually reduce the amount of pasta and breads that you use. Your first goal might be to only eat those foods once a week, and eventually get it down to once a month. Going gluten free doesn't mean you need to miss out on grains, though.
If you love rice, then you'll love Asian and indian food! Meals that have rice, spices and veggies/tofu are absolutely delicious and fun to make. Plus, it's cheaper than a frozen meal or going out to eat.
Pinterest has some awesome ideas for "overnight oats", some which honestly sound like desserts! Chocolate? For breakfast? Yeah! It works because you don't use a lot of chocolate when you make a chocolate one. It's mostly oats and fruit. I love pb&j oatmeal! There are even overnight chia puddings which I have not tried yet but also look delicious.
Oat flour is easy to make and to work with- just grind oats up in the blender and woolah, oat flour. You can use this to make breads or cookies or whatever you want!
Basically, if you're wanting to do homemade things that are gluten free, you've got options and it's very healthy! If you just want to buy gluten free products, then it will not be beneficial for you; gluten free cookies and breads are higher in sugar. Gluten free pasta is a good option though.

[Southern_Shorty]

I am one of those who NEEDS to stay away from Gluten. It's hard. Everything I want has Gluten in it. Yes, you can find alternatives for it, but it isn't the same. And even then... some items labeled Gluten free aren't! Mine is so bad that when I walk into a bakery or even the bread aisle at Walmart or Publix, it gets hard to breathe. I have to make sure I don't ingest it or I get dizzy and that rolls into a headache.

If you want to remove Gluten, you have a lot of work to do. It's in soups, bread, cookies, cakes, meatloaf, fries, barbeque sauce, and all kind of stuff. Be leery of caramel color and artificial sweeteners. Places cook with seasonings that cause reactions and then you have to worry about cross contamination.

It's not impossible, but you will definitely need to be more aware. Is there a reason you're wanting to go Gluten free? I can tell you for health reasons, I feel so much better.

[DodgersGM]

Well, it's only really necessary if you've got some type of medical condition (i. e. celiac's, gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, wheat allergey, etc.).

That said, it's a good idea for most people to moderate their intake of grains, as they're often high in phytic acid (anti-nutrients) and they're not all that nutritious to begin with.

If you do want to have bread once in a while, you should opt for an organic sprouted variety. Something like this one:

kamilahslist.files.wordpress.com/.../...-bread.jpg

[Kuraj]

Gluten is contained within wheat and grains, most of which are heavily processed empty carbs high in calories.
Even if avoiding gluten won't have any positive effects on you, avoiding crappy foods you don't need in the first place isn't gonna hurt you.

[xHoneyxBeex]

Unless someone has an actual medical reason to avoid gluten, I don't see any health benefits to it. If you want to avoid carbs such as bread or pasta to lose weight then sure, go for it. But gluten encompasses MUCH more than just bread. It's a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye so it is found in ANY foods that contain wheat flour. This would be breads, pasta, baked goods, some soups, sauces, gravy, crackers, anything that is fried, cereal, granola, tortillas, beer, etc.

I have Celiac Disease so I literally *can't* eat gluten or I get sick and I have NEVER understood why anyone would make the choice to limit their diet this way.

[Levin]

What are you trying to accomplish exactly?

As someone who flirts with gluten free, I wouldn't recommend it. Gluten free products tend to be refined white flour and sugary too (high GI). You'd be better off eating a variety of *whole* grains in my opinion. Try not to eat one thing. Most health issues can be cleared up by fostering better lifestyle and emotional habits, and eating less refined, processed and chemicalised products.

[Elzie_Sky]

Honestly. I truly think gluten free is a good choice. I was never diagnosed with a gluten allergy, but going gluten free, I had a lot more energy, my skin was better, my mind was better and my poops were better. ^.^

That being said, I ate mostly meats, nuts, fruits and veggies. I don't like almond flour or that crap, that is like eating 300 almonds or something.

[becca123]

It's just another fad buzz-word, the "cause du jour." Some people may be allergic or intolerant, the rest do it just to be super annoying in restaurants.

Seriously, unless you're allergic to gluten, leave that diet alone. No benefit.

[Jack_S]

What the other guy said, only if its gluton free.

That being said, its not a bad idea to cycle through dietary habits.

[HentaiMaster23]

Gluten free is only helpful if your alergic to gluten, otherwise your spending ridiculouse amounts of money, to maybe get a little healthier, it's crazy expensive to go gluten free

[Jayded1]

It has no benefit unless you are intolerant, which you are not. You would have known years ago if you were, it is rare and its symptoms are big, not minor.

[SunsetRose]

Speaking as someone that must eat gluten free, don't do it unless you have to.

[Zendrya]

It is only beneficial if you are gluten intolerant... otherwise it isn't good for you

[Anonymous]

Just a fad. Gluten is protein, which is vital for health.

[reptocarl]

Only if you're allergic to it

[ShaeNielson]

Your brain needs carbs.