Myth: Gluten-free foods are fattening.
Truth: Eating gluten free, cookies, cakes, breads and other sweet and starchy treats is just as detrimental to weight loss as eating those same foods with gluten. Just because something says it is gluten free does not make it healthier; it just means different flours were used to create it. You still have to look out for bleached flours, sugars, and trans fats when making healthy gluten-free choices. In order to truly enjoy the health benefits of a gluten-free diet try making treats with whole foods and other gluten-free whole grains like rice, quinoa, teff, almond flour, and coconut.
Myth: People who are gluten-free have an eating disorder.
Truth: Most people who are eating a gluten-free diet are doing so for their health. Gluten is a highly inflammatory protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Since so many processed foods and restaurants use these products in their foods, people who have celiac disease, gluten sensitivities, or chronic/autoimmune disorders have to be very careful about how their food is prepared. This means they have to ask lots of questions about their food and be selective about what they eat when they are away from home.
Myth: Gluten-free foods are expensive
Truth: Breads, pastries, baked goods, crackers, and other processed gluten-free foods that replace their gluten counter parts are more expensive. However, to eat a healthy gluten-free diet means that you eat more vegetables, a variety of gluten-free grains, potatoes, meat, beans, and nuts. When you eat a balanced diet that consists of these items, you can really keep your pricing close to what you spent before.
Myth: You must have celiac disease or a gluten allergy to benefit from a gluten-free diet.
Truth: While people with celiac disease and gluten allergies are going to benefit from a gluten-free diet, gluten is inflammatory to a majority of people. More case studies and research studies are showing that people who are non-celiac are still gluten sensitive. What’s more, accurate testing for gluten sensitivities is still being perfected. In some cases people who do suffer from gluten sensitivity are missed. One of the best ways to benefit your health is to go gluten free for 60-90 days and see how you feel. If you feel better, it’s likely that gluten is not beneficial to your body.
