Gluten-free Diet: It Can Be Dangerous
Are you following a gluten-free diet not prescribed by your doctor just because you’ve heard it’s the new trend? You should know that if you do not suffer from gluten intolerance, following this food plan can seriously compromise your health.
The gluten-free diet is in vogue because eliminating certain carbohydrates is thought to help you lose weight. If that’s your goal, choose another diet and ask a nutritionist for advice.
If, on the other hand, you think you are gluten intolerant, you will need to contact your doctor to be sure.
Negative effects of the gluten-free diet
Lack of vitamins and minerals
A gluten-free diet can cause a lack of minerals and vitamins because the intestines will have difficulty absorbing nutrients. This is a common problem when you stop eating foods that contain gluten. Reason why doctors recommend supplements to fill these deficiencies.
Those who follow this diet without medical supervision usually ignore this need. The most common nutritional deficiencies concern iron and vitamin B.
In case of serious deficiencies it becomes difficult to carry out normal activities. The solution is to eat all kinds of foods.
Gastric and intestinal disorders
Diarrhea is another side effect of the gluten-free diet. The reason is the high fiber content of permitted foods.
Remember that fiber helps the intestine to get rid of everything that accumulates in it. If you already suffer from diarrhea, avoid this diet unless necessary.
In case it is essential, remember to add other foods such as:
- Walnuts
- Seeds
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Corn
However, this diet can also produce the opposite effect. In fact, you can suffer from severe constipation episodes that cause weight gain. This effect will be due to the accumulation of toxins in the intestine. The good news is that as soon as you start getting fiber, this effect will disappear.
High levels of arsenic
People on a gluten-free diet usually use rice as a substitute. This is due to the low cost and versatility. The problem is that rice can contain small traces of arsenic which as it builds up can cause heart problems.
When you are intolerant to gluten, doctors give indications as to which foods to consume and in what quantities. If you’re on a gluten-free diet and don’t really need it, it’s easy to overdo it. If you have no other options, remember to include a large variety of whole grains .
Rice should only be part of your diet and should not be the hub.
The wallet suffers
Following a gluten-free diet involves a significant expense. While there are many gluten-free foods on the market, they are quite expensive. This is because they require a greater investment in terms of research and development.
If you want to lose weight without breaking the bank, you need to eat plant-based foods. Organize your weekly menu thinking about the right foods according to the season, then buy them at the local markets.
Large amount of industrial food
A gluten-free diet usually relies on foods that often undergo numerous processing processes to eliminate gluten. This has several consequences:
- Take large quantities of preservatives. A high degree of processing causes foods to lose their storage capacity. To keep them in good condition, therefore, many preservatives are added.
- Lots of fats in your diet. Precisely because highly processed foods lose some of their properties, they need the addition of fat to keep them soft and look fresh. For this reason, following a gluten-free diet could cause heart problems, fatty liver and diabetes.
Are you following a gluten-free diet without discussing it with your doctor? Don’t do it anymore. It exposes you to many unnecessary risks.
