Gluten and Overweight:

Gluten is a form of protein found in wheat, rye and barley and it is responsible for the structure of the dough. However, if consumed by gluten sensitive individuals, it can trigger the celiac disease that damages the small intestine. Celiac patients suffer from several problems like diarrhea, nausea, severe muscle cramps, fatigue, obsessive compulsive tendencies and overweight. A study done in UK showed that 39% of celiac patients were overweight. The best possible way to lose excessive weight is to follow a gluten free diet.

How gluten free diet lets you lose weight?

  • Most of the Americans are overweight, because they tend to eat convenience food or junk foods. When you select a gluten free diet, you can eliminate eating junk foods that contain wheat and gluten. Gluten free diet contain low fat and sodium. This can surely help you to lose weight
  • Gluten free foods like fresh fruits and vegetables can be a good alternative to cookies and other processed foods. Whenever you want to munch something, you can take a cup of strawberries, cucumber slices or peanuts. You can therefore easily cut off the calories you would gain from cookies and bakery foods.
  • Specialty gluten free breads and pastas are now available in the market. However, they cost higher than their counterparts made with gluten containing grains. This helps you to avoid eating more.
  • More often, people tend to buy food products that come in shiny new packages. As you need to maintain a gluten free diet, you can easily kill that intention to buy more.
  • If you have gluten sensitivity, you have to manage it only with a gluten free diet. 95% of the foods served in restaurants, especially the fast food restaurants contain gluten and the remaining 5 % are cross contaminated. Hence, you would not stop at every restaurant to binge on something. This can help you to lose your unwanted pounds easily.
  • You can consume gluten free snacks like corn chips, popcorn, plain nuts, rice crackers and seeds, which are low in fat. This helps to satisfy your taste buds and at the same time to reduce your overweight.

Many people including celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey do not suffer from celiac disease or overweight, but they are adopting gluten free diets to lead a healthy life. There is a long term benefit in sticking to gluten free foods.