I am often asked is gluten bad for health? Should we all be eating gluten free? In this blog I separate fact from fiction
Gluten-free diets are crucial for those diagnosed with coeliac disease, a serious autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. Coeliac disease affects 1 in 100 people in the UK.
Some people without coeliac disease experience gut symptoms when eating foods containing gluten and this is called gluten intolerance. Unlike coeliac disease there is no definitive diagnosis.
As a result, there has been an exponential growth in people “self-diagnosing” and following gluten-free diets. Before deciding to go gluten-free, consider the following:
· If you experience gut symptoms when eating foods containing gluten, talk to your doctor before simply giving up gluten.
· Seek help from a specialist dietitian who will work through an elimination diet whilst ensuring your diet remains nutritionally balanced.
· Remember - a gluten-free diet doesn’t necessarily mean healthier eating. A poorly planned gluten-free diet can lack vitamins, minerals and fibre.