Is Gluten-Free Diet Actually Good for You?
A gluten-free diet is an exclusion of the significant proteins and fibers in the body mainly found in wheat, barley, rye, and other types of grains. Typically, a gluten refers to the storage of the proteins mostly found in cereal grains. There are two proteins present in a gluten namely the prolamins and glutelin and these compounds can be found in the endosperm of the various cereal grains together with the presence of the starch. The gluten itself is the responsible substance for making a dough elastic and chewy.
Why do some people have allergies when it comes to gluten? Some people are born with an abnormal immune system which may lead to allergic reactions. The most popular allergic reactions that may occur is the ingestion of the gluten. It happens due to the presence of the proteins. Usually, they will experience the following signs and symptoms if they consumed gluten enrich food:
1. Difficulty in breathing
2. Hives
3. Anaphylaxis
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting Sensation
6. Inability to Concentrate
7. Bloated Stomach
This is the reason why they have created a special gluten-free diet for those people with allergic reactions to gluten. In addition, people suffering from celiac diseases, autoimmune disease condition, gluten ataxia, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy are the common diseases which are sensitive to gluten.
You might be thinking that if the gluten-free diet will exclude the fiber-enriched food like wheat, cereals, barley, rye or oats, the body will be lacking these proteins. In this case, you should find alternative solutions that will replace these proteins with their counterparts so that the body will still function properly. To have an idea regarding what food to eat on a gluten-free diet, here are the following things to consider:
a. Vegetables and fruits
b. Lean meat, poultry, and fish
c. Eggs
d. Low-fat dairy products such as milk and cheese
e. Unprocessed nuts, beans, and seeds
For the next group, these are some alternatives to wheat, cereals, barley, rye, or oats, here are the following:
• Amaranth
• Arrowroot
• Bean
• Buckwheat
• Corn
• Flax
• Hominy
• Millet
• Potato
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Sorghum
• Soy or soybeans
• Tapioca
• Teff
What are the common foods that you should avoid?
Gluten is used widely to enhance the elasticity and chewiness of the food. It is commonly present in the popular food that we eat at home or outside. To have some ideas on what food to avoid, here is the general quick view:
• Beer made from Barley (Ale, Porter, Stout)
• Bread (Any kind)
• Bulgur
• Cakes, pastries, and pies
• Crackers, biscuits, wafers, croutons
• Durum
• Enriched Flour, Farina, Graham Flour
• French Fries
• Gravies
• Malt
• Matzo
• Pasta (Any kind)
• Processed food, Canned Food, imitation meat
• Salas dressings, sauces, processed soups, seasoning mixes,
• Processed snacks
• Einkorn
• Emmer
• Kamut
• Self-rising flour
• Semolina
What are the benefits of a gluten-free diet?
A gluten-free diet incorporates several health benefits. Consuming natural or organic food have abundant health benefits in which this is part of the gluten-free diet. It also helps the individual prevented from eating any processed food which may bring harmful effects to the body when consumed daily.
Implementing a gluten-free diet really resolves many types of diseases and improves the way of life. It helps the body recovers from the effects of the processed foods and helps the body to get nourish and maintain a healthy living. Furthermore, these are the amazing benefits of associating your diet with a gluten-free living:
1. Promotes weight loss and healthy digestion
2. Reduce the cholesterol levels
3. Lowers the risks of diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer
4. Boost the energy levels
5. Helps achieve a proper breathing, relax the body, and calm mind
6. Helps you avoid food infused with harmful chemicals, germs, or bacteria
7. Improves bowel movement
8. Helps you avoid arthritis and other joint problems
Are you going to switch on a gluten-free diet?
Well, this is a matter of option for everyone because we don’t encourage everyone to get into a gluten-free diet. Every individual has their own conditions and diet plans. It depends on the condition of their body on what diet plan to choose. Of course, not all diet plans are made for everyone. But for some cases of celiac diseases or autoimmune diseases, this diet really works and affects the overall improvement of the body.
To know more about the details of the diet plans available for you, try to consider consulting a dietitian, nutritionist, or a medical expert. Always find a better solution to recover from many types of diseases, seek a professional advice immediately.
Taking care of the body may sound too disciplinary but this is the only way to maintain and improve the overall health. According to the popular slogan, prevention is better than cure. It is better to take care of the body for a long time than to start taking care of the body after experiencing some signs or symptoms of the disease.
One Comment
Tamra Phelps
I have to admit, I’m a little clueless about the gluten-free craze, lol. I know some people have to do it because of health conditions…but if you don’t have those conditions, I think it would be very limiting.