Perhaps one of your friends has told you about their gluten-free diet , or you’ve visited the natural foods aisle at your grocery store and noticed an abundance of foods labeled gluten-free , and now you’re wondering if going gluten-free is right for you. First , a little background. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat , rye , spelt , and barley. Obvious sources of these grains are foods like bread , pasta , and pizza , but gluten can also be found in foods like soups , salad dressings , soy sauce , and more. A gluten-free diet is not recommended as a weight loss method , and eating gluten-containing food is fine unless you have a specific health condition where eating gluten is not appropriate. In general , there are two types of people who benefit from a gluten-free diet. It is essential for people who suffer from Celiac disease (where any ingested gluten causes their body’s immune system to attack their small intestine , leading to malabsorption of nutrients (which can then lead to significant health issues such as anemia , weakened bones , nerve damage and other problems) and is recommended for those who are gluten-intolerant (where eating gluten produces uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation , gas , bloating , and more). Not sure if either of those conditions apply to you? Your doctor can help you find out whether you should go gluten-free. When you make an appointment with your doctor , be prepared to update them on your medical history , tell them about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing (such as digestive issues , weight loss or gain , abdominal pain or bloating , and more) , and give them insight into your current diet. This information will help your doctor understand what next steps to take , such as ordering a blood test for Celiac disease , going on a medically supervised elimination diet , or evaluating you for other conditions. Important: Don’t eliminate gluten from your diet until you speak with your doctor. Removing gluten from your diet could affect the results of certain tests your doctor might perform. Plus , if it is not necessary for you to eliminate it from your diet , going gluten-free could make it harder to get the fiber , protein , and other nutrients that many gluten-containing foods provide. If your doctor does determine that you could benefit from a gluten-free diet , make sure to ask for recommendations of ways you can consume the appropriate amount of fiber and other nutrients. For example , you may look to beans as a good source of fiber , and brown rice as a source of healthy whole grains. And remember , lots of healthy foods are naturally gluten-free—fresh fruits and vegetables , plain/unmarinated meats , and many types of cheese and yogurt are safe for those who must be on a gluten-free diet. Go easy on processed gluten-free snacks like cookies and crackers—even if it’s gluten-free , a processed food is still a processed food! Have a question for a ? Email nhess@healthadvocate.com , and your question may be the topic of an upcoming “Ask a ” column!
