Reporter: James Gherardi l Videographer: Jonathan Merryman
Danville, VA – The gluten free craze started when more and more Americans discovered they had an allergy to gluten and wheat products. But now, the practice has spread. People are looking to gluten free in an attempt to lose weight, but does it work? And more importantly, is it healthy?
Eating muffins, cookies, pasta and pretzels to lose weight may sound too good to be true. Anderia Dalton, the assistant manager of Next Level Nutrition in Danville, says some of the gluten-free food tastes really good, are, especially the cookies. She says the craze is cashing in.
"We get an order every two weeks and we sell out pretty well in between times. So there's definitely a need for it," said Dalton.
It's become a popular diet option, with grocery stores now offering shelves full of wheat and gluten free products. But dieters beware.
"People that should be on a gluten free diet have been diagnosed by their doctor as either having gluten intolerance or having celiac disease," said nutritionist Jennifer Dietz.
Nutritionists say going on a gluten free diet is only for those with a wheat allergy. The common misconception is that a gluten free diet is a carb free diet.
"Those calories would be the same. Those are still starches, so if you remove a starch if it's coming from wheat, you still have a starch if it's coming from rice or corn or potato. So, you're just exchanging carb for carb," said Dietz.
Nutritionally, many gluten free products are unhealthier than their conventional counter parts. One brand of gluten free pretzels for instance has more calories, fat, and sodium per serving.
Not only are there major differences in calories and fat between gluten free and conventional products, but major differences in price as well. Conventional pasta is $1.79 and gluten free is $5.59. Conventional corn flakes are $3.69 gluten free is $5.49. The same goes for snacks, conventional pretzels are $3.29 and gluten free ones are $8.39.
So if you're trying to lose weight - don't fall for the fad. Gluten free doesn't mean healthier.
"A calorie is a calorie, wherever it's coming from. If you want to lose weight, you've got to eat less than you normally eat consistently, day in and day out," said Dietz.
Nutrition experts we spoke with say they've seen a recent increase in wheat allergies. If you think you may be allergic to gluten, be sure to consult your doctor.
Originally posted here:
Gluten Free Diets Becoming an Unhealthy Trend
