Lately I’ve been hearing a lot of people go ‘gluten-free’ or ‘wheat-free’. I know that for some it is a necessity being that their allergies to wheat can cause major intestinal problems. For others, it is an experiment in improving energy, vitality, health and yes, let’s face it, losing weight. I know for many of us, eating carb-heavy breads and cereals can cause bloating and weight gain and an overall lower energy and mood. You’ve probably heard of countless celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jenny McCarthy, Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey going gluten free. Gluten is a protein complex found in wheat, barley and rye products. Flours made from these grains are commonly used to make foods such as breads, cereals, pasta, pizza and baked goods. It is the gluten in these foods that make them chewy and gives them the elastic texture. It’s undeniable that many of the gluten-rich foods are hard to give up. But for some, with celiac disease, it is a necessity. According to the University of Chicago, 1 out of every 133 otherwise healthy adults in the United States has celiac disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from foods.

But a gluten-free lifestyle can help countless others as well. People suffering from a wide range of diseases—from autism to osteoporosis, from diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis—can often benefit from this change in diet. Even people with no health issues have a great deal to gain by giving up gluten. The gluten free diet (or G-free diet) can help with weight management. It can elevate your energy levels, improve your attention span, and speed up your digestion.

If you feel lethargic after you eat wheat-heavy products and gluten-filled treats, then it may be worth it to try giving up the gluten for a little while. See how you feel after a week. If it works, then you may have a sensitivity to gluten and your body will thank you for giving it up. For those who do a lot of exercise or for runners who usually carbo-load the night before a race, it may be worth looking into a gluten free diet. According to Dr. Allen Lim, a former exercise physiologist for the Garmin-Transitions pro-cycling team on the Tour de France, gluten is responsible for bloating, stiffness and gastrointestinal distress-huge performance-hindering problems-and by giving it up their riders would recover better from grueling stages by avoiding wheat. Moreover, they knew that the team could get all the carbs they needed by eating other foods. Many athletes go gluten-free to avoid any gastrointestinal difficulties during a big race or event. Making sure to get the right amount of carbs is important, however, and therefore if you are replacing wheat gluten, you must find other sources of carbs to fuel the body.

Here is a short list of gluten-free foods that can replace wheat and that are satisfying and full of energy: Rice, Corn, Quinoa, Amaranth, Oats

Another note: Keep up the exercise while you try out a gluten-free diet. It will keep you motivated, energetic and you will be able to see and feel the changes in your body and your mood much quicker.
-Liz Samuel

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