Gluten-Free Diet

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It seems like every year there is a new diet that everyone swears by. You hear testimonies of how people have lost over 50 pounds in three months with this new fad diet. One new lifestyle changing diet that I want to discuss is the Gluten-Free Diet. A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale.1 Now you’re probably wondering why should I cut out gluten? I love eating bread, cake, and other foods that contain Gluten. Well, first off, many people have an allergy to wheat products and they do not even know it. In fact, 1 out of 100 people have a gluten allergy, but they are so used to the symptoms that accompany it that they don’t even think twice about it.2 Here are some symptoms that people with a Gluten allergy might experience:

• Itchy skin rashes
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Headaches, including migraines
• Joint and muscle pain
• Mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, and “brain fog”
• Weight gain or weight loss

If you think that you might have a Gluten allergy it is best to talk to your doctor, and get tested for it. In the meantime, switching your diet can help. Those on a gluten-free diet must forgo all products containing wheat, barley, rye, and the various ingredients that contain derivatives of these grains. Those who are gluten-free embrace a diet filled with:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meats, poultry, fish
• Beans, and legumes
• Nuts and most dairy products are naturally gluten-free, and safe for individuals who do not have allergies to these respective food groups.3

Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change, and like anything new, it takes some getting used to. You may initially feel deprived by the diet's restrictions, especially if you weren't having troubling symptoms before your diagnosis. However, the longer you stick with it, the easier it will get.1                 

For more information on a Gluten-Free Diet Click on the link below:

https://www.glutenfree.com/#filters/

References

1. Nutrition and healthy eating. (2014, November 24). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530
2. Reasons to Go Gluten-Free. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/reasons-to-go-glutenfree.html
3. National Foundation for Celiac Disease Awareness. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.celiaccentral.org/Gluten-Free-Food/the-gluten-free-diet/