IS A GLUTEN FREE DIET HEALTHIER?
The free from aisles in supermarkets have exploded with an abundance of gluten free products and I often hear of people (and new clients) choosing gluten free products with the belief they are making healthier choices. This month, I wanted to provide more information for you to make your own informed decisions on whether this is true....
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye and is commonly found in foods such as bread, pastas, cereals, flours, cakes, biscuits, ready meals, soups and sauces.
When should we avoid gluten?
In people with coeliac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. Therefore, immediate elimination of gluten is essential in managing the disease. For those with a gluten intolerance or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, removing gluten from your diet can lead to a reduction in symptoms as well.
However, for the majority of the population, eliminating gluten unnecessarily has not been shown to have any health benefits the media promise and can in fact increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. When following a gluten free diet, the majority of the convenient gluten free alternatives such as breads, pastas, cookies, cakes etc, have been stripped of their nutrients and are instead filled with stabilisers, additives and emulsifiers, often containing artificial sweeteners and binding agents which have been shown to negatively affect our gut bacteria.
Consuming these foods just because they are gluten free does not necessarily make them healthier. However, by increasing your intake of naturally gluten free whole grains (buckwheat, rice, quinoa, oats etc), other grains (spelt, rye, whole wheat), fruit and vegetables, you will naturally consume more fibre and micronutrients that our gut bugs love which will also benefit mood, appetite, digestion, energy and weight management.
If you are coeliac or want to consume less gluten, I would recommend choosing naturally gluten free foods which are much more nutritious than gluten free substitutes.
