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Is going gluten-free healthy for you or is it just a fad?

Photo by Mariana Kurnyk from Pexels
Photo by Mariana Kurnyk from Pexels

While many people are unfamiliar with the term gluten, it refers to a class of wheat proteins made from wheat, rye, barley and a few oats commonly found in various slices of bread, crackers, pretzels and other wheat-based products.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat that prevents gluten bread from rising correctly. There are alternatives for those who suffer from gluten intolerance. The only problem is that not many people understand what gluten-free means.

Here's what a gluten-free diet means and how they can start on the gluten-free way of eating.

What does gluten-free mean?

The gluten-free diet is a diet which has no gluten or very little gluten in it. It is a diet to replace gluten in our diet with healthy foods. There are different types of healthy diets, depending on what you are after. You can start by learning about the kinds of diet for Celiac and Gluten Intolerance. By doing this, you will be able to identify your needs and start on a gluten-free diet.

Also read: 10 healthy late-night snacks for guilt-free munching

Follow a 'healthy diet'

A healthy way of eating is by eating vegetables and fruits. You can eat any kind of vegetable or fruit, as long as it is fresh and free from pesticides and chemicals. There are many different kinds of healthy fruits and vegetables. Some of them are avocados, bananas, carrots, cabbage, corn, lettuce, peas, peppers, strawberries, watermelons, melons, and many more.

Determination and discipline

A gluten-free diet requires a lot of discipline and determination. First and foremost, you have to be disciplined enough not to give up your favourite foods. This would mean that you have to go back to the basics-the foods that your grandmother and mother used to eat. You might be tempted to quit but remember that gluten can harm your body if taken in high amounts. So you have to stick to your diet so that you can avoid gluten intolerance.

Consult your mates

You will find that there are a lot of choices out there for gluten-free foods. If you're not sure of what foods to buy, then you can ask your 'coeliac' friend how to cook it. There are recipes out there for foods that you can eat. There are also plenty of blogs and forums that cater to people who are on gluten-free diets. You can again ask around and find out what gluten-free alternatives are available.

Also read: On a diet? There's no need to avoid rice completely

Pick the 'right' food

While on a gluten-free diet, it's also essential to choose the right foods. Gluten may be found in most processed foods, including sauces, soups, cookies, doughnuts, ice cream, cakes, chocolate bars, spaghetti, meatballs, and potato chips. You may be tempted to buy these kinds of food, but be mindful of what you are buying. You may end up regretting your decision later.

NEVER cut-down on food

A healthy way of going gluten-free doesn't mean cutting out foods that you love. The trick to sticking to your diet is to find exciting and tasty substitutes. Try new foods as much as possible and read labels when buying groceries.The key to eating well on a gluten-free diet is not to let your ignorance cause you to skip out on these beautiful foods that you love so much.

Also read: 8 recipes to start your day with healthy Indian breakfast

Nonetheless, if you are in good general health, merely making the switch to a gluten-free diet can make a massive difference in the way you feel and in the quality of your life.