Gluten is a protein found naturally in wheat, barley and rye. It contributes to the structure of bread; the fermentation of barley contributes to malty flavor in beer; and gluten provides structure and texture to pasta.
A gluten-free diet is not new to the medical world. It has been prescribed to individuals with celiac disease for many years. Increased awareness of celiac disease over the last five years gave rise to the number of gluten-free products available, which in turn has brought awareness and attention to gluten and a gluten-free diet. General Mills was one of the first to introduce a gluten-free line The overwhelming response motivated other food manufacturers to offer their own gluten-free products, and a trend was born.
Research is solid that those with a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet for life. While we have tests to confirm the presence of celiac, we do not have tests to confirm non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
I’m often asked, “Is it OK to avoid gluten in my diet to lose weight, even if I do not have celiac?” First it’s important to point out there is no evidence supporting the absence of gluten influencing weight loss. In fact, weight loss in these situations often results from removal of the grain group while improving consumption of fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Science does show that when gluten containing foods are removed from the diet, an individual’s diet is usually low in iron, B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), fiber, magnesium, manganese, and selenium in their diet. This is why it is important to replace gluten-containing grains with ancient grains such as quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat and sorghum if you choose to follow a gluten-free diet
What should you do if you think gluten may be the culprit of your intestinal discomfort? First, continue to eat gluten and schedule an appointment with your provider to get screened for celiac disease. If the celiac screen is positive, remain on a gluten containing diet until you have a biopsy to confirm celiac disease. After the biopsy, you should meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to receive an individualized gluten-free lifestyle plan. If the celiac screen is negative, schedule an appointment to work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who is trained in food sensitivities and digestive disorders. They will evaluate your current digestive health and symptoms associated with food intake and monitor you on a structured elimination diet in order to identify any possible food sensitivities and develop a balanced diet based on your individual needs.
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