As we begin the new year, we are encouraged to make, and try to keep, some resolutions. Some want to exercise more, others want to be more involved with school or work and most people want to eat healthier and/or lose weight. This brings to light all of the possible diet options that are out there. There's Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, multiple different diet pills, organic diets and finally, going gluten free. For those who don't know, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some people, like me, have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that reacts to gluten, and have to maintain a gluten free diet to prevent damage to the small intestine. There are also others who have to be gluten free even though their reaction is not autoimmune, but regardless they have to stay gluten free. There is now an aisle in most grocery stores that is catered to the gluten free population (which is about 1% of America, or 1 out of every 133), which is great because we can enjoy many treats and necessities without worrying about getting sick. However, there are many, many people who decide to go gluten free as a diet plan as mentioned before. This "diet plan" though can be very flawed, though, for a couple of reasons.
The first reason that a gluten free diet should not be used as a weight loss or diet plan is because gluten free is not a synonym for healthy. Many people think "Oh it's healthy because it's gluten free!" This is more wrong than most people notice. There are plenty of gluten free carbs in the world like rice, potatoes, corn, among others. Are potato chips healthy? What about french fries? Both of these carbs are very much gluten free when bought in the store, but that does NOT make them healthy. Also, most fats and sugars are gluten free. You can have all the ice cream, bacon, red meat, and chocolate you want, given that they aren't made with gluten products.
Another reason that going gluten free isn't always a great move is that it is difficult to get the hang of it at first. If you are not working with a doctor or watching what you eat very carefully, it is easy to not be eating all the nutrients you need. Sure, you get your fruits and veggies because those don't change, but what about complex carbs? Now it is easier because there are more options than there were five years ago, but it can still be frustrating to find all the vitamins that you need without having a trained eye.
Lastly, being gluten free was not designed as a weight loss plan. Being gluten free is more a lifestyle than a diet. For most who are gluten free, it is a necessity that they have to maintain for the rest of their lives. A gluten free diet is designed to give a celiac/gluten sensitive person everything that a regular person gets in their diet. Sure it eliminates a lot of fast food, but that is about it. The same way that vegetarians aren't all stick thin because of their diet, gluten free people are not all the same size. Body shape and weight vary just as much as it does in the rest of the population.
Being gluten free by choice is not bad, if you know what you're doing. Making sure to eat enough of everything off the food pyramid is as important here as it is in any other diet. Going gluten free is not an automatic weight loss. Also, make sure to remember that just because it's gluten free, does not make it healthy.
