Oops, I didn't take the links out of the middle of that quote.
Roselee, before you go on this gluten free diet, consider this cip from an article:
Gluten-Free: Fad, Friend, or Foe?"Is a Gluten-Free "life-style," really code for an Eating Disorder?
Published on November 2, 2013 by Judy Scheel, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. in When Food Is Family
Aside from the genius of marketers to find yet another way to convince us how we can buy happiness, health and bloat-free bellies, here is the thinking behind going gluten-free as the next new ‘diet’ ………ah...ehm…. “life-style eating.” (Euphemism, if you ask me.) Eating gluten-free without the diagnosis of Celiac Disease promises to provide a body aesthetic (no bloated bellies) and purports that its followers will come to feel mentally alert and physically less tired and stressed and even lifts depression. Seems to me that a lifestyle based on healthy eating from all food groups, sleep, exercise and good relationships will do the same thing. But that takes time and involves emotions and thinking. Eating gluten-free food offers the faster road to Happy Rome…..thus, appealing. Quick fix – gets us most of the time to capitulate and adhere to more quick fix solutions.
“Based on little or no evidence other than testimonials in the media, people have been switching to gluten-free diets to lose weight, boost energy, treat autism, or generally feel healthier. This doesn’t make much sense to Dr. Daniel A. Leffler, director of clinical research at the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
“People who are sensitive to gluten may feel better, but a larger portion will derive no significant benefit from the practice. They’ll simply waste their money, because these products are expensive,” says Dr. Leffler, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. (Strawbridge, Harvard)
Here are some reasons to consider NOT going gluten-free unless there is a medical need to do so:
Gluten-free food will likely set you up for deficiencies of important nutrients, including B vitamins, especially, B9 (folic acid) – Whole food breads and cereals are loaded with B vitamins. Eating fiber rich foods are important, especially for breakfast, in order to get and maintain normal intestinal and bowel movement. Removing whole grains will add to digestive problems overall, not correct them. Most Americans do not eat enough fiber. It is possible to get more fiber from brown rice and fruit, which are gluten-free, but a person must be committed to eating enough of these foods on a daily basis to achieve a similar effect of foods rich in fiber like wheat breads and cereals.
This is enough to settle any doubts I had for mmyself about jumping on the bandwagon.