Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet
There is no doubt that one of the biggest trends in healthy eating has been to go gluten free. As with any dietary change, it’s important to consult your physician to make sure it’s the right choice for you. Before you and your family decide to ex out those tasty carbs, read up on dangers to avoid when going off gluten to help you stay strong.
Top 5 Dangers of a Gluten-Free Diet:
1. Financial Strain: The average gluten-free product is 242% more expensive than their non gluten-free counterparts.
2. Unhealthy Starch Flours: The gluten-free flours, like tapioca starch, corn starch, rice starch, potato starch etc., may also cause health issues for some due to their high glycemic index.
3. Insufficient Fibre: Many processed gluten-free products are lower in fibre than their gluten-containing versions and can leave people hungry and with irregular bowel movements. A high-carb, low-fibre diet could lead to weight gain with time, as people may be prone to eating more in order to feel full.
4. Lack of Nutrients: Avoiding grains often results in less iron, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate. Instead, focus your grain substitutions on these more nutrition-rich gluten-free grains: millet, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, whole grain cornmeal (not corn starch), sorghum (whole grain), teff, amaranth and montina (Indian ricegrass).
5. Xanthan Gum: Some of the side effects from consuming x-gum are similar to the negative effects of gluten sensitivity. Flu-like symptoms can occur, and since it’s used as a laxative, sometimes even a small amount might aggravate your guts.
