Is Gluten-Free a Fad Diet? Yes. Here's Why

So, is gluten-free a fad diet? Yes. And just like most fads, the gluten-free trend will soon pass. Marketers don’t want you to know that around 93% of consumers aren’t even mildly affected by gluten. Gluten-free diets only help you lose weight if you cut out pizza or other unhealthy foods made with gluten.

The gluten-free craze is just another trend

Wheat, barley and rye contain gluten. It’s a strong, sticky, stretchy protein that helps wheat flour morph into many different foods such as al dente pasta, fluffy waffles, crisp pastries and chewy artisan bread. These unique properties are the reason it is commonly used in many foods and food products, with a few good substitutes.

About 30% of Americans report following a gluten-free or reduced diet. Accordingly, the gluten free market has skyrocketed from $11B to $23B in the last four years.

55% who follow a gluten-free diet do so because they think it is “healthier” and 27% do so to lose weight.

I recently saw a rather ridiculous advertisement for “gluten-free salt” and thought to myself: “What salt has ever had gluten? Wheat, rye and barley don’t grow in the ocean or 300 feet underground in a salt mine!”

Gluten-free is a fad diet. A risky one.

The gluten-free fad has actually in many ways helped to undermine people’s health decisions since there are literally hundreds gluten-free varieties of junk food. Whether your doughnut is gluten-free or not, it’s still a doughnut.

Individuals who follow gluten-free diets typically have less than optimal intakes of many essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, iron, b-vitamins, calcium, and zinc. Insufficiency in these essential nutrients can easily lead health complications such as iron deficiency, osteoporosis and/or constipation.

Here’s who should be concerned about gluten:

• 1 in 133 individuals who have diagnosed Celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
• Less than 5% of the population who are gluten-sensitive (main symptoms are stomach discomfort and headaches).
• Those few individuals who have a wheat allergy.

The best way to lose weight and be healthy is to eat a balanced diet inclusive of whole grains. Visit www.choosemyplate.gov for more information on amount grains you should be consuming based on your age and gender.