Once you understand what gluten is then you can decide for yourself if you should adopt the gluten-free lifestyle of if you should continue to eat nutritiously and not concern yourself with whether or not you are eating foods that contain gluten or not.
How do you know what you should do? If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease or if you have gluten sensitivity then the answer is simple – it is essential for your health and well-being that you give up gluten for good. However for those who have no problems with gluten and are just thinking of trying it as a means of eating healthier, it can turn out to be a huge pain in the neck.
Giving up gluten is not as simple or as basic as eating less pasta or deciding not to eat bagels or bread. Gluten is an ingredient that is found in a tremendous amount of foods. It makes many foods thicker, not to mention tastier. Gluten is not just found in bread products but also in seasonings, salad dressing and soy sauce. Giving up gluten can be a lot of work for the person who does not have any health problems with it.
Not only can it be a study in patience to give up gluten but it is can also lead to nutritional deficiencies which can open the door to serious health problems. Do not make the mistake of assuming that gluten-free is automatically healthy. In fact researchers say that you can end up missing out on many important nutrients such as the B vitamins, fiber and the mineral iron when you decide to do away with such things as vitamin-enriched products and whole grains.
If you decide to try gluten-free living then do not become preoccupied with foods that state that they are “gluten-free.” Instead focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, dairy and lean proteins. The best grains to choose for gluten-free individuals include amaranth and quinoa.
Could it Be You?
It has been theorized that more than 2.5 million individuals may be living with celiac disease yet of these only an estimated 150,000 have been diagnosed with it by their doctors. The reason for this is because it is easy to be asymptomatic for many years. The symptoms common to this disease can often be confused with the symptoms of other health problems which can explain why it takes so long for a proper diagnosis to be made.
If you suspect that you may suffer from celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity do not give up gluten until you have been checked out by a physician. If you stop eating gluten then it will be hard to tell by the tests if you have it or not.
According to the Celiac Sprue Association, a not-for-profit organization for those who suffer from the disease, there are hundreds of symptoms. However some symptoms are more common than others. These include abdominal pain and bloating, chronic diarrhea or constipation, anemia, fatigue, infertility and weight loss that is unexplained.
For those considering going gluten-free to lose weight you need to know that doing this will not help the pounds melt off any faster. If you do decide to continue on a gluten-free diet then don’t give up your taste buds and look for your favorite foods such as gluten-free pizza at your local restaurants or online recipes.
Gluten-free is not the same as fat-free by any means. Those who do lose weight when they choose to subscribe to a gluten-free diet are likely to do so because they have limited their food choices and therefore are not as inclined to overeat.
Samantha
Alternative Health for Today 
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