Going Gluten-free

What is gluten and is it healthier to go gluten-free?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and it’s a common protein source and processed food filler.

There are coeliacs, whose intestines can’t process gluten properly and cause serious digestive issues and those that have gluten sensitivities, but if you’re not one of them, cutting gluten isn’t going to improve your health. It’s certainly not going to help you lose weight.

Gluten-free (GF) products are everywhere nowadays so you’d be mistaken into thinking they were a healthier alternative. However, the gluten protein is actually in a lot of wholegrain foods and those products also contain many vitamins, minerals and fibre that our body needs. Cutting out these foods with gluten in, is therefore going to mean you miss out on all these nutritional benefits.

GF, as well as meaning an increased price, also tends to mean more calories and sugars are added to make up for the flavour lost by taking it out. Also, don’t be mistaken in thinking that it means ‘low carb’, as some GF pastas tend to have more carbohydrate than the normal variety.

Naturally gluten-free products like brown rice and quinoa a great option for a healthier carb.

So if you don't need to cut the gluten for health purposes, then save your money!