One question that usually comes up is: How do I know if I have a gluten sensitivity? There are many ways to answer that question. Of course the most simple way to find out if you are someone that has a sensitivity is to avoid gluten containing foods for a period of time (usually a month or more) and see what changes occur. Patients often report less bloating, fatigue, mood swings, muscle cramps or other subtle or not so subtle changes in their health and overall well being.
Even if after gluten avoidance yields no measurable changes, are there still benefits to avoiding the grain? I would argue that yes, there are benefits that may be occurring inside the body’s biochemical and metabolic pathways that may not be measurable by physical symptoms. Blood sugar, for instance, is one parameter that may benefit from gluten free diet. The key is not to replace wheat products with gluten free products in excess. Remember that a processed food such as cookies or crackers are no better for health, gluten free or not, and should be occasional indulgences.
Eating foods that are NATURALLY gluten free is the key to a healthy gluten free life!
