The gluten-free scam

For those of you who have celiac disease or real wheat allergy, this thread is not meant for you.

For the other 99%, you might want to re-consider whether all the money and energy you're pouring into maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle is worth... all that money and energy.

Few people actually suffer from celiac disease or wheat allergy. But there's this other thing - "gluten sensitivity", which is a great big mish-mosh of symptoms for which there are no clinical tests, no standards of diagnosis, and yet which millions of people are convinced they are afflicted with, so convinced that they spend upwards of 10 billion dollars a year to feed their habit. And to the degree that there has been any research on gluten sensitivity, an increasing amount of evidence is pointing to factors other than gluten.

Here's a decent overview of all of the malarkey.
http://ianchadwick.com/blog/is-this-the-end-of-the-gluten-free-fad/

I tend to look at all of this stuff as connected. We recently had a thread on vaccinations. Does anyone really wonder why there is an anti-vaccination movement when so many people get pulled into pseudo-health fads like this?

What a load of bull*****. People should be eating foods that don't need to "ENRICHED with nutrients, like iron, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate". Enriching foods is only necessary because they stripped it down to nutritional zero to begin with.

Where I will agree is that you shouldn't jump on the special gluten-free versions of crap you don't need anyway.

Eat real, unprocessed food.

Hey, db, you forgot to put on a screed about the 'dairy isn't good for you' crowd.

One thing at a time.

Well... I guess, but how do you explain people who cut out gluten and then legitimately feel sick when they eat some? My mom and my sister fall in this camp, and have both seen doctors and nutrionists about this. It's not a diet fad for some folks.

Did they feel sick their whole lives? How did they manage a lifetime of gluten?

I think a lot of people legitimately benefit from low gluten diets. There are simple breads, made the same way our great-great-grandparents would remember, then there are the over processed breads with added gluten (among other stuff) which in some people may be overloading their digestive systems.

A family member decided she had a gluten sensitivity. Doctor's tests showed nothing, but she cut out all gluten anyway. Her intestinal symptoms improved greatly (her husband is very skeptical of this stuff but admitted that she did have long term ongoing symptoms and that they did improve on the diet). But (in my opinion) she went overboard. For example, at a party she had dip out but no chips, just Doritos. Not finding any chips I dipped a Dorito into the dip, it left a little bit of the fake cheese powder residue in the dip. She freaked out because there is apparently gluten in that powder, she ran around telling everyone that if they had a gluten sensitivity to not eat the dip. FWIW no one in our family has celiacs so the small bit of powdered cheese flavor would not be enough to cause harm to the people there. Another time her son was eating a bagel and then he put the bagel down and went up and held her hand, she made a point of saying that she couldn't eat until she washed her hands because he had transferred gluten to her hands.

Then one day she accidentally ate something with gluten in it. Nothing happened. She didn't figure out that this meant she was able to tolerate moderate amounts of gluten, she instead decided that it meant she had no gluten issues at all and could eat all the gluten she wants all day long. Not surprisingly her symptoms soon returned and last we spoke (about 2 years ago) she was still trying to figure out what new food issue was causing her symptoms.

I see it simply as this. She had intestinal issues. She cut out gluten and they cleared up. She reintroduced a small amount of gluten and they didn't return. She reintroduced a large amount of gluten and they did return. She would likely benefit from a low gluten diet, not necessarily a gluten free diet. But too many people see this issue as all or nothing.

i am a skeptical person about this kind of thing too.
but my daughter has been suffering with ulcerative colitis for a while now, and heavy duty drugs are not helping.
i am supporting her in an elimination diet, and if it works (and it may be coincidental "healing"), i'll sing the praises of woo!!

drummerboy said:

Did they feel sick their whole lives? How did they manage a lifetime of gluten?

In my family's case, yes, they struggled with stomach issues for years and finally figured that out. My mom also has lactose issues. I also think things can manifest later in life... can't they? Much like children can outgrow an allergy, can adults develop an allergy or insensitivity?

I do think the article you posted raised some interesting points about the "fad" nature of it. But here's the thing... if it's not some kind of mental illness-related obsession, giving up gluten is HARD and I don't see why someone would choose that if they didn't legitimately think it was necessary.

Someone would have to pull me kicking and screaming from real pasta. Just sayin'

I think fads catch on because people are often unhappy, and don't know how to find happiness. They turn to many things to try to find a sense of peace. The more destructive behavior entails drinking too much, or drugs, or speeding or gambling. Then there are the people who become compulsive about running, or working out or go on the latest fad diet.

That being said, there seems to be some research that shows that gluten free diets are helpful for those on the autism spectrum (latest figure 1/45 in NJ). Our psychiatrist wanted my daughter to try it. She told the psychiatrist she would be lying if she said she would. But, personal tangent aside, there are a high number of individuals on that spectrum who have a lot of gut sensitivities.

Remember the 90's [cue Portlandia theme] when everyone was obsessed with MSG? So many people were convinced it was making them sick. "No MSG" products were big business, and you could find that label on almost any NYC restaurant menu.

Since then, studies have repeatedly shown MSG is no more dangerous (and possibly less dangerous) than table salt. People have forgotten they ever thought it made them sick, and we're all eating it again.

I found this excerpt from your gluten link interesting:

"Many self-diagnosed 'sufferers' seem likely instead to have 'orthorexia nervosa' – 'an extreme or excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy.' An obsession with righteous eating. Psychiatric Times calls it a 'disease that masquerades as health.'”

I'll insert the usual disclaimer about ACTUAL celiac disease, though. If you have ongoing intestinal problems, you should definitely investigate and rule out celiac disease.

Long live the hysteria because it has led to so many more options being available for those of us who do need to be gluten free. And being gluten free just means avoiding certain grains. Don't see the harm in that but, yes, people may be spending extra money on gluten free surcharges that they could otherwise be spending on whatever. To each his own.

Honestly, I'm so tired of hearing about people's diets, their intestinal issues, their bloat, their gas, their poop, whatever. Do whatever you like but I don't want to read or hear your proselytizing. This goes for gluten free/dairy free/paleo etc etc whatever the the latest fad is.

gerryl said:

I think fads catch on because people are often unhappy, and don't know how to find happiness. They turn to many things to try to find a sense of peace.

Now *that* is deep, @gerryl.

As a result of gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free dogfood, my dogs do not have canine epileptoid cramping seizures (CECS) anymore. And gone are the upset stomachs accompanied by small bile vomits like a treasure trail around my house.

doublehappiness said:

Eat real, unprocessed food.

Also this.

Except I just ate a Thin Mint. Or five.

drummerboy said:

Did they feel sick their whole lives? How did they manage a lifetime of gluten?

Yes, I was sick my entire life. My mother thought I was a big faker, doctors couldn't figure it out. I had diarrhea, stomach cramping, incredible tiredness, headaches, skin issues (rashes, hives), my scalp was constantly broken out. I missed so many days of school and work, everyone thought I was a malingerer.

I became GF fourteen years ago, so it's not a "fad" to me. I look better, I feel tons better. I don't sleep all day. I am not bloated. My scalp issues cleared up; my skin issues too.

And to respond to eliz, I don't proselytize. I try not to mention it at all except to people who know me or who try to force me to eat cake or something or who make a big deal that people who are gluten-free are full of *****.

I wonder what compels people to judge, as if they know better, what works for someone else.

Adele said:

doublehappiness said:

Eat real, unprocessed food.

Also this.

Except I just ate a Thin Mint. Or five.

Fresh off an organically grown Thin Mint tree, no doubt. The Girl Scouts can only harvest once a year.

I wonder how many people who feel better when they go gluten-free were actually overloading on simple carbohydrates and mucking up their blood sugar. One of the easiest ways to go off gluten is drop wheat products like bread and pasta and eat more vegetables and protein. I know there are high carbohydrate Gluten free products but they tend to be expensive and it's easier to just cut the carbs.

Just a theory, but I'm an animated superhero and not a scientist.

ETA: I am not saying this is everyone who feels better without gluten. Marylago obviously had something else going on related to gluten.

Oldstone said:

As a result of gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free dogfood, my dogs do not have canine epileptoid cramping seizures (CECS) anymore. And gone are the upset stomachs accompanied by small bile vomits like a treasure trail around my house.

Maybe they were just unhappy and changing their food helped them find a sense of peace?

Humans need grains for nutrients and fiber; dogs don't. In the wild, they're pretty much all about the meat.

boomie said:

I wonder what compels people to judge, as if they know better, what works for someone else.

science, facts and evidence, dearest.

mrincredible said:

I wonder how many people who feel better when they go gluten-free were actually overloading on simple carbohydrates and mucking up their blood sugar. One of the easiest ways to go off gluten is drop wheat products like bread and pasta and eat more vegetables and protein. I know there are high carbohydrate Gluten free products but they tend to be expensive and it's easier to just cut the carbs.

In my case this makes perfect sense.

I greatly reduced most breads and wheat products due to calorie counts. Ditto with milk. I replaced the bread products with more fruits and veggies, the milk with water (except my coffee where I use unsweetened almond milk). I did it for my weight but I have noticed that I feel better. I never had debilitating stomach issues like some others, but I did have minor issue. On occasions where I have a full serving of milk I will see a temporary return of these issues. With the wheat products I just feel bloated but don't have any other symptoms. I am not gluten/wheat free or dairy free, I still eat these products, things like butter or yogurt don't give me the same symptoms so I still eat those. I just try to reduce the overall amount of wheat and milk I consume.

drummerboy said:

boomie said:

I wonder what compels people to judge, as if they know better, what works for someone else.

science, facts and evidence, dearest.

Only if you're a doctor. If you're just an opinionated civilian, throwing your "science, facts and evidence" around, you could end up doing much more harm than good...

dja62 said:

Long live the hysteria because it has led to so many more options being available for those of us who do need to be gluten free.

AMEN!

Adele said:

Since then, studies have repeatedly shown MSG is no more dangerous (and possibly less dangerous) than table salt. People have forgotten they ever thought it made them sick, and we're all eating it again.

Except my and my BIL as we both got intense headaches after eating Chinese take-out we got for years on X-mas eve. Now we get sandwiches instead.

I try not to eat very much processed foods. I sometimes will have some GF pasta or bread as a treat, but not often. I make all my own food, eating out rarely and never ordering out. I even bring my breakfast and lunch to work.

I'd rather be judged for being part of a "fad" than be judged for being sick and lazy.

You should hear what I say about you. ;-)

)

Marylago I tried tinkyada brown rice spaghetti the other day and it was delicious! Very chewy. Have you tried that?

boomie said:

)

Marylago I tried tinkyada brown rice spaghetti the other day and it was delicious! Very chewy. Have you tried that?

I've tried them all. Yeah, it's not bad. I wouldn't say it was exactly good, but not bad...

Sandwiches are delicious, @sprout. The MSG story is interesting, though.

http://www.businessinsider.com/msg-allergy-doesnt-exist-2013-8

Aside: the gluten-free cupcakes at Trader Joe's are amazing. Fairly certain they are all sugar, lard, and unicorn tears.

bluepool said:

drummerboy said:

boomie said:

I wonder what compels people to judge, as if they know better, what works for someone else.

science, facts and evidence, dearest.

Only if you're a doctor. If you're just an opinionated civilian, throwing your "science, facts and evidence" around, you could end up doing much more harm than good...

How so?