Is gluten free diet a fad or does it have legitimate health reasons?

Asked by: Colby Hamilton

But for the vast majority of us, eating a diet free of gluten isn’t recommended. Although gluten itself doesn’t have much nutritional value, many whole grains that contain gluten do. And those provide nutrients essential to good health, including fiber, iron, and calcium.

Is gluten-free a fad or real?

The gluten-free diet craze has been called the fad diet of this decade, comparable to the low-fat, no-fat craze of the 80s and 90s. Though losing popularity as a diet craze, there is still a lingering stigma that “gluten-free” means healthier food options.

Is gluten-free still a fad?

The gluten-free craze continues in the United States, fueled by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and well-debunked books like Wheat Belly. By 2016, Americans are expected to spend more than $15 billion on gluten-free products, with up to one-third telling pollsters they’re trying to cut gluten from their diets.

What are the legitimate reasons to eat gluten-free?

A gluten-free diet is recommended for people with celiac disease, gluten-sensitivity or the skin disorder dermatitis herpetiformis. A gluten-free diet may be helpful for some people with irritable bowel syndrome, the neurological disorder gluten ataxia, type 1 diabetes and HIV-associated enteropathy.

Is gluten-free just a trend?

No longer. These days, a gluten-free lifestyle has become one of the most popular diet trends in the U.S. One in five people now reduce or eliminate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley or rye, in their diet, according to a 2015 Gallup poll. Avoiding gluten is crucial for people with celiac disease.

What are the negative effects of a gluten-free diet?

4 risks to a gluten free diet

• Lack of fiber. America, as a whole, has a fiber problem. …
• Increased type 2 diabetes risk. …
• Lack of essential vitamins and nutrients. …
• Weight gain.

Are gluten-free diets healthier?

Despite popular trends, there is little evidence that a gluten-free diet has health benefits for people who do not have a gluten intolerance such as celiac disease or nonceliac gluten sensitivity. A gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease.

Why are so many people gluten-free now?

“People are eating a lot more processed food rather than whole foods,” she says. “Gluten goes through a lot of processing, which makes it even less tolerable for those with sensitivities or allergies.”