Doctors are warning against gluten free diets

It has become a trend in recent years for people to adopt a diet that excludes gluten to apparently reap a lot of health benefits, but these claims have been quashed by doctors.

According to The Huffington Post, eating gluten free is not at all healthier than sticking to a regular balanced diet unless of course you have coeliac disease. In an American study, it was noted that many who don't have coeliac disease are still choosing to eat gluten-free food. These gluten-free alternatives may not have the same nutritional benefits and are often higher in calories. This is particularly important in relation to children and their development. Many parents believe that their children are gluten intolerant, but a lack of understanding around gluten intolerance means that their kids could well be intolerant to other components of the food. “Many people think that a gluten-free diet is healthier than the usual diet, which is not always true,” study author Dr Eyad Almallouhi said.

“But if you’re on it just to try, or just because you think it’s a healthier diet, I think people should reconsider.”

According to the Scientific American, most people shouldn't be eliminating gluten at all. Katherine Tallmadge is a dietitian and said that you need to proceed with caution when it comes to eating gluten-free.

If you embrace such a diet, you'll end up "eating a lot of foods that are stripped of nutrients," Tallmadge said. Studies show gluten-free diets can be deficient in fibre, iron, folate, niacin, thiamine, calcium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and zinc.