Gluten Free Diets

There is a lot of attention surrounding gluten-free diets. It is known that people with celiac disease benefit from eliminating foods with gluten out of their diets permanently. The discussion now wonders if there is any benefit for patients trying to lose weight.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein that is found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale or "crossbreads" (crosses between wheat and rye). Making these grains gluten-free is a process that removes this protein from the grain.

What is a gluten-free diet?
A gluten-free diet is a diet free of wheat, barley, rye and many processed foods. According to the FDA, a permanent gluten-free diet is not recommended for people that do not have celiac disease. People with celiac disease should never eat foods with gluten because of the effect it has on their body.

How is Metabolic Medical Center different from a gluten-free diet?

Gluten-free is not synonymous with low-fat, low-sugar or low-carbohydrate diets. Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in many carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn into sugar in the body and the body processes the sugar into energy. What is not used as energy gets stored as fat. When starting a weight loss program at Metabolic Medical Center, carbohydrates are strictly controlled. This control maximizes the carbohydrate use in your body.

Once you lose weight, we work with you to add healthier carbohydrate choices back into your diet. To experience the full benefits of a healthy diet, limited carbohydrates must be paired with adequate protein and low-fat.

*Always read your food labels, the gluten-free foods are often processed and sugar laden.

Examples of foods containing gluten

barley, wheat, rye, malt, pasta, malt vinegar, processed lunch meats*, beer, salad dressing*, bread, canned sauces*, cakes, pies, seasoned rice mixes*, cereal, snack chips*, cookies, crackers, canned soups*, croutons, vegetables in sauce*,  french fries, gravy*

*used in processed foods as a thickening agent

Examples of foods without gluten

eggs, fresh fish, fresh beef, shellfish, fresh pork, fresh fruit, fresh chicken. fresh vegetable

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