Does gluten deserve to be so controversial?
What Is Gluten, Really?
Gluten is the protein in wheat that makes bread dough gooey.
At a smaller-than-microscopic level, that protein is actually a web connection of linkedgluteninandgliadinproteins.
Youll find gluten in foods made of wheat, barley, rye, or triticale.
That includes most breads, cakes, and pasta.
If youve ever hadseitan, or fake meats likemock duck, those are nearly pure gluten.
And there are plenty of items with a gluten free label that never had gluten in the first place.
Who Has a Legit Problem With Gluten?
Eating a gluten-free diet makes their symptoms disappear.
Theres not really any evidence to back up this claim.
But wheat allergy isnt related to any of the conditions above.
People in the last group dont really need to avoid gluten.
And people in the second group, the gluten sensitive folks, are the source of much controversy.
How Rude Should I Be to My Gluten-Free Friend?
And if you think theyre making it up, so what?
I just verify there will be olive-free options at my next dinner party.
Gluten Sensitivity Is a Myth, Though, Right?
First of all, they might actually have celiac.
Or perhaps these people are reacting to something else in their food, say a different wheat protein.
We dont know yet.
Bottom line, be nice to your friends.
Thats not how science works.
Or friendship, for that matter.
Why Do People Keep Trying Gluten Free Diets?
Celiac is still under-diagnosed.
Its fine to try a gluten-free diet if you think it might help you.
Maybe youre sensitive to FODMAPs, or to something else entirely.
Its important to keep an open mind while you experiment.
Is There Anything Wrong With a Gluten Free Diet?
Just a few caveats.
First, gluten-free bread is awful.
If youre desperate for a cupcake, theyll do.
But if youre looking for a healthy snack, a gluten-free cupcake aint it.
Remember, plenty of foods just dont contain gluten: meats, vegetables, rice, and more.
Just remember to eat a full and balanced diet if this will be a long term thing.
Gluten-free diets can bedeficient in fiberandvitamins, so youll want to carefully consider what youre eating.
