What is a Gluten-Free Diet?

It's interesting how the world is divided into different food groups. Or I should say different food economies. In Asia it's all based on rice. In Europe it is wheat-based and in North America and parts of South America, everything is based on corn.

Of the three, corn is probably the least nutrient rich and the most unhealthy, especially the way we have it set up now with corn and soy being the top ingredients in our food and most of it processed.

But some people are allergic to these three staples You hear a lot about a "gluten-free" diet. But what exactly does that mean?

According to The Healthy Planet Magazine:

"Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Individuals that have celiac disease will experience a toxic reaction when they consume gluten that can cause intestinal damage, poor nutrient absorption and potentially serious complications."

Like a lot of other allergies, intolerance to products containing gluten can take a very tiny amount to cause a reaction. That's why a person who has been diagnosed with gluten intolerance should first consult a registered dietitian before starting a diet.

Some folks that are interested in losing weight think that a gluten-free diet will help them accomplish this goal. Following a gluten-free diet is very time consuming and can be very expensive, and since it's not necessarily a healthier diet, those without the intolerance should not attempt it. If you want to lose weight, then maybe a diet with calories restrictions is the way to go.

If you have to follow a gluten-free diet then be sure to take your magnifying glass with you to the grocery store. Even some items such as toothpaste and prescription medications can contain gluten as one of the ingredients.

The new food labeling laws will help some. Many have wheat highlighted in bold to help those on a gluten-free diet. And all is not lost, there are many delicious foods that are labeled as gluten-free, and more and more food manufacturers are considering making gluten-free products.

"Fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, eggs, beans and nuts and oils are all gluten- free." The secret here is to buy these foods in as much of an unprocessed and natural state as possible. And that's really not such a bad idea for the rest of us either.

To find these sorts of foods, you may want to avoid the supermarket where a lot of the food is highly processed and visit your friendly neighborhood farmer's market.

Source: http://www.thehealthyplanet.com/jan2011_what.htm