Do you also believe that gluten-free diets are actually good for you? Well, that may not be so. Gluten is a type of protein mainly found in wheat, barley, and rye. Just about one percent of the entire population suffers from a condition called coeliac disease for which doctors advise a gluten-free diet. But somehow, ever since research showed a relation between the disease and gluten, it is widely believed that gluten-free diets are healthy for all! According to nutritionist and founder of Truefarm Foods Ian Marber “Gluten-free doesn’t mean healthier and many products that are free from gluten have more fat and sugar in them, which is used to add the texture that gluten might have added. One has to look out for such elements and remember that gluten isn’t bad for us; it is harmful to people with coeliac disease.”
Here are some myths about gluten that we need to be aware of:
1. A gluten-free diet is not necessarily gluten-free: Even while the label says it’s gluten-free, it might not be!
2. Gluten-free means healthy: Nutritionist Neha Sahaya says “People assume removing gluten from their diets will help them reduce the number of unhealthy foods they eat. However, foods which contain gluten have important nutrients for your health. Certain minerals and vitamins like folate, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, and more are found in them”
3. Gluten-free diets are low on carbs: Foods which don’t have gluten are not necessarily low carb like potatoes, sugar, fruits
4. Everyone should go gluten-free: Nutritionist Neha Sahaya says“Many people want to go gluten-free thinking it will help them, but they need to medically check themselves for a gluten allergy. If a person has been eating gluten most of their life, it is unlikely that they are allergic to gluten.” So think before you want to go for a gluten-free diet.