Gluten-free diets have caught mainstream attention in a big way, but it’s also a subject that’s widely misunderstood. Gluten is a protein that’s found in wheat, barley and rye, which means that gluten is also in any product that contains these grains as an ingredient.
Many people do have gluten allergies, and therefore need to take the substance out of their diets. In the past several years, more and more people are being diagnosed with gluten intolerances, although the reasons for this are not entirely clear. However, some people have been arguing that no one should be eating gluten. Others claim that cutting gluten out of your diet will lead to weight loss.
On the Today show this morning, Joy Bauer took a stand against a gluten-free diet for anyone who doesn’t have an allergy or celiac disease. “Going gluten-free has been very glamorized,” says Bauer, but explains that going gluten-free doesn’t automatically cause weight loss. Some people start to eat in a healthier manner when they cut gluten out of their diets, which can result in weight loss. However, many processed gluten-free foods are just as high in calories as their counterparts.
Bauer explained the symptoms of celiac disease, and says that anyone who thinks they may have this condition should continue eating gluten until they are diagnosed by a doctor. That’s because the diagnostic tests are only effective if there’s gluten present in the body. “Don’t self-diagnose,” she urges.
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