Medical reasons for gluten-free diet
A gluten-free diet is primarily used to treat coeliac disease, where gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine and the less-common skin condition dermatitis herpetiformis. There are those who are intolerant and sensitive to gluten and experience negative reactions when they consume gluten products. But these people aren’t the only ones jumping on the gluten-free diet.
Gluten-free diets are trending
Gluten-free diets have grown in popularity over the past five years and are now very much on trend with millions of people around the world giving up gluten! Many celebrities, nutritionists and bloggers are endorsing the diet. With the likes of Millie Mackintosh Instagram-ing her chocolate orange and avocado cream 25th Birthday cake (which looks delicious by the way), Gwyneth Paltrow launching her ‘It’s all good’ cook book and tennis star Novak Djokovic announcing he was on a gluten-free diet, gluten-free is very much on trend today. The growing community of ‘free from’, healthy eating blogs featuring gluten-free recipes is certainly not going unnoticed either.
Healthy lifestyle
Many have chosen to avoid gluten as part of a general ‘healthy lifestyle’ and living holistically. The gluten-free lifestyle has gone as far to include the beauty industry, with the use of the ‘gluten-free’ claim on packaging increasing by 22% over the past year. Gluten-free beauty products are particularly recommended to those who have dermatitis herpetiformis.
What can you eat?
Remember that gluten-free meals and bakes can be just as delicious, and they are healthy too! It is important to experiment in the kitchen with recipes so that you can discover your personal gluten-free favourites, ingredients and recipes. Gluten-free baking has even featured in the Great British Bake Off on ‘Free From’ week! In a gluten-free diet you can eat many foods including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, lentils, rice and potatoes. You can also pick up substitute processed foods that don’t contain gluten from the ‘free from’ section in your local supermarket; food like pasta, flour, crackers, bread and biscuits. Some great gluten-free grains and cereals include quinoa, polenta and buckwheat. Here at Linwoods we have a number of gluten-free recipes you can try out at home.
Don’t get caught out
Many believe that going ‘gluten-free’ will allow you to lose weight, this may not be the case. Many ‘free from’ substitute products are significantly high in sugar, fat and salt, which are used to improve flavour and texture. But it is possible to lose weight by choosing natural gluten-free foods. Those choosing to cut out gluten simply to eat ‘healthily’ are in danger of reducing their intake of wholegrains, a key source of fibre in the diet and something many don’t get enough of. It is also important to include high-protein foods in a gluten-free diet, as protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and maintenance of bones.
Gluten-free at Linwoods
All of our super healthy products here at Linwoods are gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs and those of you intolerant or sensitive to gluten or simply opting for a gluten-free lifestyle. We have a number of protein powered products, including shelled hemp seeds and our new delicious Milled Flax, Chia Seed Apple and Cinnamon.
It’s important that the gluten-free trend doesn’t overshadow those who actually suffer from coeliac disease. On the plus side, there are now more options available to those with a gluten intolerance or sensitivity in supermarkets and when eating out at restaurants and cafes. In addition to people becoming more and more aware of their health and dietary requirements, which is always a plus!
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gluten-free-diet/art-20048530
https://www.coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-diet-and-lifestyle/gf-diet/
http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/voluntarily-going-gluten-free/#iphyfoHmm7JropRY.97
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33486177
http://www.mintel.com/blog/beauty-market-news/gluten-free-beauty-is-on-the-rise
Photo credit: Instagram.com/camillamackintosh
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