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Gluten seems to be the buzz word these days. The gluten-free industry is booming, food allergies skyrocketing and we’re more confused than ever. So what is gluten and what’s the fuss about anyway? What Is Gluten? Gluten is a protein found in food processed from wheat and other grains such as barley and rye. It’s what gives dough it’s elasticity and provides a chewy texture. These days you can find gluten hidden everywhere. The obvious foods are bread, cakes, pasta and so on but you can find gluten in fried foods, soy sauce and even in hot dogs! Gluten has gotten a bad rep but let’s look at why this has happened, whether or not to avoid gluten and how you can check if you have a sensitivity to it. Is Gluten Causing Me Health Problems? Modern wheat is not the same as it’s ancient counterpart (for more information on how wheat has changed check out my previous post here). If you find you suffer from the following symptoms it’s a good idea to check if your body is sensitive to gluten. Bloating Diarrhoea or constipation Nausea or vomiting Pain (in stomach and joints) Headaches Skin irritation Fatigue Lactose intolerance. Should You Avoid Gluten To Be Safe? If you have coeliac disease then you must avoid gluten but apart from that it’s not absolutely necessary. Avoiding gluten when you don’t react to it is another stress in itself because you also need to ensure you’re still consuming the right nutrients. Yes, gluten-free products are growing but they mostly taste like cardboard and are expensive. Gluten is not exactly the nutritious component, but gluten is found in many nutrient-rich food items such as spelt. The problem is really deciding which gluten products to consume. Choose complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates – the more refined the worse it is. Often the whiter it is the more refined it is so a product like WonderWhite Bread is really not so wonderful. Be sure to incorporate other gluten-free grains to benefit your health like buckwheat and quinoa (for healthier wheat options check out my previous post here). Bare in mind as well that many gluten-free products are made with substitutes such as cornstarch and rice starch which are highly refined and will cause your blood sugar to spike (not so healthy). So how do you know if you’re gluten intolerant? How To Test Gluten Intolerance The best way to check if you’re having issues with gluten is to go on an elimination diet. This requires you to eliminate all gluten products from your diet for at least two weeks then slowly re-introduce it into your diet one at a time. It’s a great idea to keep a food journal and track what you ate and how you felt after each meal. If you feel better while not consuming gluten, and feel worse once it’s been re-introduced you’re likely to have some sort of sensitivity or allergic reaction so check what you ate. Be conscious of the symptoms mentioned above. If you have numerous symptoms and they’re severe, it’s best to seek the advice of a good naturopath or nutritionist. They can also conduct allergy tests if you can’t be bothered to do it yourself. Key Takeaways Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. If you’re suffering from digestive problems go on an elimination diet to see if gluten is the cause. There’s no need to spend on pricey gluten-free products if you’re not allergic to it. Know someone affected by gluten? If you thought this article was useful, please share it. For more natural health tips visit our blog at: http://www.alkalife.com.au/blog
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