To Be or Not To Be Gluten-Free?

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Gluten is often blamed for weight gain, bloating and stomach struggles, but is it really all that bad? Read on to see if you need to eliminate it from your diet before hopping on the bread-banning bandwagon.

By Leslie Goldman

Should You Be G-Free?

What do celebs like Zooey Deschanel, Emmy Rossum, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Chelsea Clinton have in common? They all follow gluten-free diets, thanks to severe wheat allergies that, if left untreated, can result in bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, malnourishment and even infertility and osteoporosis.

"Going g-free" has been trendy for a few years now, with proponents claiming that ditching wheat can melt away pounds, elevate sports performance and evaporate mental fogginess. The industry has exploded, mushrooming 27 percent since 2009 and surpassing $6 billion in sales in 2011, according to Mintel research. "Gluten-free is the new low-carb," says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet (Rodale) ?and a nutrition advisor at Golden Door Fitness Resort and Spa in San Marcos, Calif. But unless you are one of the 1 percent of Americans who truly suffer from actual Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself in the presence of gluten - a protein component found in wheat, rye and barley - or the 5 to 8 percent who are gluten-intolerant, eradicating gluten from your diet will not help you lose weight or boost energy. In fact, "many gluten-free products are packed with sugar and fat," Bazilian warns.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com >>

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bufedaduzuki wrote:

like Philip replied I'm amazed that any body able to profit $6294 in a few weeks on the internet. did you read this web link ======grand4.com=====

5/15/2013 11:59:03 AM Report Abuse

littlecoop4201 wrote:

people with a wheat intolerance suffer too, so to the person who said it's NOT celiac disease - no. it's not. i also have celiacs AND i happen to have empathy for those who have an intolerance. suffering is suffering is suffering. maybe you show try some empathy.

8/12/2012 06:31:51 AM Report Abuse

psbell3 wrote:

For those of you who also refuse to do research about gliten, here's a start; the definition of gluten: Gluten: A protein found in wheat or related grains and many foods that we eat. RESEARCH, RESEARCH. RESEARCH!!!

8/3/2012 07:29:01 AM Report Abuse

psbell3 wrote:

The author should really learn all the facts about a gluten free diet. Celiac disease is NOT the only disease affected by gluten. There are other autoimmune diseases that are affected as well (i.e. RA,MS) This article can be very misleading to someone who hasn't done their research. Maybe if the author(s) suffered through an autoimmune disease they would be more understanding. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!

8/3/2012 07:13:35 AM Report Abuse

4petesake1 wrote:

This article is not one bit misleading! Gluten as it is highly processed in our country is bad... Period!! I am 53 and chose to try gluten free and it has changed my life. No more occasional stomach pain, no more hot flashes, no more night sweats, diminished joint pain. Our foods in this country are so highly processed it truly disgusts me. We are so educated on what is healthy yet one of the most obese and unhealthy countries in the world.

8/2/2012 11:34:09 PM Report Abuse