What Is Gluten-Free Food, and Why Should I Eat It?

If you’ve ever scanned the shelves while searching for anything from baked goods to pizza dough, you’re probably familiar with the “Gluten-Free” food labels that have been appearing more and more over the past few years. When something is labeled gluten-free, that means that it has no proteins from wheat, barley, rye, or other similar grains. Read on to learn why so many people are trying a gluten-free diet and who’s already benefiting from the many positives of eliminating or reducing gluten intake.

The following is not medical or dietary advice that will work for everyone. Before you make big changes to your diet and lifestyle, consult a registered dietician.

Benefits of a Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten does not contain any necessary nutrients for human health and wellness. In fact, many people with gluten sensitivity or people with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) find that eating gluten can cause stomach pain, inflammation, poor general gastrointestinal health, and even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as depression and anxiety. This has been theorized to happen because of the body attacking gluten particles in the small intestine, thinking they are an intruder such as a virus.

Scientific evidence points to many health benefits associated with a gluten-free diet. These include:

• Weight loss
• Improved general health
• Better gastrointestinal health
• Better sleep
• Reduced anxiety or depression

While it technically can’t be directly proven that foods that contain gluten were causing these particular problems or symptoms in people participating in the studies, a gluten-free diet did seemingly help many people reduce or even eliminate these problems.

Who’s Going Gluten-Free?

There are many reasons people are choosing to eat a gluten-free diet. Some people who are choosing gluten-free food include:

• People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity
• People trying to lose weight
• People who’ve been told their current diet could increase the risk of heart disease or clogged arteries
• People trying to avoid gluten to reduce stomach inflammation or gastrointestinal distress

Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

The good news about trying out a gluten-free diet is that many foods that are healthy are also naturally gluten-free. If you’re on a gluten-free eating program or diet, you can keep these and more foods in your life:

• Fruits and veggies
• Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds
• Meats, fish, eggs, and poultry
• Most dairy products (good news for lovers of our September Farms cheese!)

These food items in their natural and unprocessed forms have no amount of gluten. However, watch out for breading on chicken, added wheat in fruit and vegetable products, and other gluten additives. You can save time and money by shopping for organic and healthy bulk food items with a focus on gluten-free products.

Gluten-Free Alternatives

Starting a gluten-free diet doesn’t have to mean you no longer get to indulge in pizza, pasta, bread, or other favorites. Try alternatives such as gluten-free bread, different materials for pizza crusts such as cauliflower, or make your own pasta with gluten-free flour. There are also “imitation” products that taste just like the real thing — without the stomach irritation or inflammation that gluten can cause.

The Old Dutch Cupboard: Where There’s Something for Everyone!

Whether you’re trying out a gluten-free diet to see if you can experience some of these benefits, or you’ve been gluten-free for decades, we have something for everyone! Visit The Old Dutch Cupboard today and find natural and organic meat, cheese, milk, and more. Get in touch today, or come visit us in person in Telford, PA!