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SALT LAKE CITY -- First there was "fat free." Then "sugar free." Now the term "gluten free" is popping up on food packaging. But is it a marketing mind trick, or are there really health benefits to be had by giving up gluten?
Four years ago Karen Higgs was diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition where the body reacts negatively to gluten -- a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Every time I would eat something, like toast or bread or a sandwich, it felt like needles were going through my stomach, like someone was taking a knife and chopping me inside.
–Karen Higgs
"Every time I would eat something, like toast or bread or a sandwich, it felt like needles were going through my stomach, like someone was taking a knife and chopping me inside."
At first, Higgs found the diagnosis to be devastating. "You go for your whole life eating all the good breads, pastas and pizzas, and you just give up on eating that."
But lately, life is easier as the term "gluten-free" has become more widely known and accepted. It's not just found in specialty stores anymore, but in mainstream restaurants. Even big-box stores like Walmart are catering to customers who want to go gluten free.
"Celiac disease is the thing that the gluten-free diet was developed for, or what the treatment is," explained University of Utah Dietitian Julie Metos. "But it seems it's a really common thing for people to latch on to if they are not feeling well, or if they want to try the latest diet craze."
She does not recommend the gluten-free diet for everyone: however, she said gluten-free diet is a great opportunity for people to eat a variety of different grains.
"I would say, it's probably true, most of us rely on wheat for our carbohydrate, and it would be really great if we could expand that a little, maybe some brown rice, go down the aisle with the gluten-free foods and find the grains that are recommended, maybe that will expand your diet."
Celiac disease is the thing that the gluten-free diet was developed for, or what the treatment is. But it seems it's a really common thing for people to latch on to if they are not feeling well, or if they want to try the latest diet craze.
–Julie Metos
As far as this "current craze," Metos compared it to the "fat-free" phenomenon of the '80s. She said, "Often times there is just this little part of you that goes fat free, gluten free, and it gets the health halo and so you think it's better, so just remember that is not necessarily so."
She said you also don't want to pay a premium for something you don't really need or benefit from.
As far as the average person "feeling better" from a nonmedically enforced gluten-free diet, Metos thinks that likely comes from replacing the gluten with more fruits, vegetables, fish and lean chicken.
Now, families who have children with autism like to try the gluten-free diet because it has been reported to improve behavior, but Metos warns that it is not an evidence-based recommendation yet.
So, while there is not real harm in trying, it's definitely something to talk to your doctor or dietitian about.
Email:bwalker@ksl.com
