Gluten Free Frenzy

“Is this gluten free?” I politely ask the waiter. I hate being that girl but I also hate having stomachaches after eating gluten. Despite the countless times I am forced to ask, I am still not used to feeling like a “nuisance” and “high maintenance.”

In a matter of seconds I see the eye rolls begin and of course, the inevitable gluten interrogation. “Do you have celiac? Or let me guess you are trying to lose weight?  Isn’t gluten just bread?” Even people who don’t fully understand what gluten is are often confident the gluten free diet lacks any sort of medical merit.  The recent gluten free mania sweeping the nation has blurred the lines between a dietary fad and an actual intolerance condition.

You rarely ever hear of dismissing people’s lactose intolerance yet gluten intolerance struggles to gain similar acceptance. Gluten sensitivity also known as gluten intolerance is the lesser severe condition that calls for a gluten free diet.  This condition causes symptoms such as an upset stomach, fatigue and bloating due to difficultly digesting gluten protein. On the other hand, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder, which causes intestinal damage with the consumption of gluten. Although I am just gluten intolerant, I have witnessed the seriousness of Celiac disease through diagnosed friends. Even the slightest trace of gluten can trigger excruciating abdominal pain followed by hours of vomiting.

People love to jump on latest new food trends and the gluten free diet has become the most covetable of the moment.  The gluten free industry has grown a whopping 44 percent since 2011, making it a 10.5 billion dollar industry (New York Times). Ironically, 75% of gluten free product consumers are not diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance(Mintel, Market Research).  These consumers purchase GF products because they believe they are a healthier option.

In contrast to the belief gluten is bread, it is a protein found in barley, wheat and other grains. Eliminating gluten from your diet is only beneficial to those who suffer from celiac or gluten sensitivity. Gluten free products are not healthier nor do they result in weight loss. 

In my personal experience, the gluten free lifestyle can be rough. Fighting craving when all your friends are indulging in your favorite gluten packed snacks is a constant struggle. I have had to not eat my own birthday cake because my friends forgot about my gluten sensitivity.  The intolerance is so “real” that I am forced to continue this dietary lifestyle in order to feel my best and maintain my health.

Has the gluten trend gone overboard?  Undoubtedly. With dating site called Gluten Free Singles, its safe to things has gone a little out of hand. As someone who suffers from intolerance, I see the positive side of this mainstream transition. Sure, I am constantly making my gluten intolerance case but I also reap the benefits of gluten free products being more readily and widely available than ever before.

Karen Blandon