Clients often ask me about weight loss. They hear about the newest fad diet being touted by the media or how Kim Kardashian lost the baby weight. It can be confusing and overwhelming! While there is no “miracle diet or pill” that is right for everyone, there are steps that can be taken for a healthy lifestyle.
The gluten-free debate is currently the most prevalent and although this is the lifestyle I embrace, there are misconceptions about what that means. First, you have to understand what gluten is and how it affects your body. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut and oat. It has become a staple in the American diet and we are learning is the cause for several health issues. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that consumption of gluten can cause people to have a greater risk of heart disease and cancer. It also causes inflammation in your body. This inflammation is your body’s defense mechanism because gluten acts like a toxin to your body. 
So, gluten free pizza and bread is the answer, right? Wrong! Although companies are making a fortune selling these products, they can be just as bad for you. In order to make these products taste appealing, they have to replace the gluten with something else. Any ideas what? Usually sugar, not any better! They also use other grains like rice and potato starch which can be just as difficult for your body to process and because of their starchy nature, inhibit weight loss. Plus they are highly processed, striping the nutrients your body needs.
The best approach to a healthy lifestyle is go natural! Avoid the center aisles at grocery stores and stick to the outside sections. Buy the colorful fruits and veggies spotlighted in the produce section. Stop at the butcher block and buy real meat. Yes, it takes a little more work to cook and a little more creativity on your part but aren’t you worth it! I think so and so should you!
Great article! Well said! 🙂
Good message Christie. Many clients don’t have celiac disease, yet might be gluten sensitive. They adopt a gluten free diet, but don’t know why. Some folks develop orthorexia, a medical condition in which the sufferer systematically avoids specific foods in the belief that they are harmful. Human beings are the only animals with the ability to deceive themselves. I hope more posts like this will encourage people to check with their doctors before vilifying certain foods. Do their homework. Eat their vegetables like Grandma told us.(smile…)
Thanks Cathy for the post!
Gluten-free isn’t a “fad” for people with the “celiac” disorder. My Dad was starving for food no matter how much he ate, since celiac prevents food from getting in, and the bread Mom cooked for him made it worse.
The doctors basically thought he had cancer — he was down to 120 pounds.
Then a doctor flipping through a sort of odd-ball diseases happened on a disorder called “celiac”. Dad stopped eating glutens. And he recovered.
In my family there are several people who react to glutens, especially wheat gluten. The irony is Dad grew up on a wheat farm!
For some of us, getting away from gluten isn’t a “fad” diet decision, it’s a decision to save lives.
Thanks,
Dave Small
p.s. You might mention that Beau-Joes on Colorado Blvd, by Yale, serves gluten-free pizza. And great beer!