Gluten Free: Craze or Healthier option

Ok so I have been wondering for a while what is with the craze of Gluten free products. I f I am going to try something I like to know the benefits and risks of radically changing my diet. I understand if you have a gluten intolerance to have gluten free food but why are people who have no problem with gluten choosing to no longer eat it.

This is what I have found

One in 100 Australians suffer from some form of coeliac disease and having a gluten free diet can be expensive costing around an extra $500 a year and experts warn that people self-prescribing the diet can lead to both risks and malnutrition.

For starters, going gluten free means saying no many common and nutritious foods. Gluten is a protein found in wheat ,barley and rye. Gluten itself doesn't offer special nutritional benefits. But many whole grains that contain gluten do. They're rich in an array of vitamins and minerals , such as B vitamins and iron as well as fibre. Studies show that whole grain foods, as a part of a healthy diet may help to lower the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.

The risks of going Gluten free

Completely eliminating gluten requires adopting a whole new diet. You would have to give up most breads, crackers, breakfast cereals, conventional pastas and a whole range of processed foods made with a small amount of gluten.

Unfortunately gluten-free products tend to be low in a wide range of important nutrients, including B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and fibre. Also not all gluten free food is being marketed healthy and there has become a misconception that gluten free food means healthier. Some gluten free foods are high in saturated fat, sugar or cholesterol. Also can be high in calories but contain very little in the way of nutrition. It is very common that people start gluten free for weight loss but end up putting on more weight.

There’s little point in taking that risk unless you genuinely have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Choosing gluten-free foods has another drawback. Most gluten-free alternatives, such as pasta and bread, are significantly more expensive.
 
Benefits

Basically if you have an allergy to gluten, gluten free food is beneficial for your health and if you think you may have a problem with gluten get tested. Otherwise gluten won't affect your life and is not generally the healthier option.

So if you are going thinking of going gluten free probably best just to stick to eating healthier option foods and everything in moderation.