Organic foods may not be gluten free, but gluten-free foods can definitely be organic. Do you know what organic foods are? These are foods that are grown naturally. This means they are not exposed to pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, these foods are not exposed to additives, and industrial solvents. Traditionally, agricultural products were organic. The turn of the twentieth century brought about a transformation. Chemicals and fertilizers were used in the food business. But organic farming soon came into existence. Interestingly, organic farming came about as early as the 1940s. And it still continues in many parts of the world unabated. During the 1940s agriculture was heavily industrialized. Farmers concentrated on producing quick harvests. This lead to the invention of pesticides and fertilizers. But it also brought about the onset of organic farming as an agricultural specialty.
What is gluten?
Gluten does a lot like what its name suggests. It is used as a thickening agent. Being a sticky protein, gluten has many applications. This wheat protein is used in confectionery bread, and other such related products. Gluten has so many applications that you’d be pleasantly surprised. For instance, many manufacturers use it as an anti-clumping substance when manufacturing spices. It is also used in cosmetics as a thickener. A lot many products have traces of gluten. It is difficult to completely list down all products that use high, moderate, low, and traces of gluten. A gluten free diet is primarily advised if you have celiac disease. When you are unable to digest gluten, you are said to suffer from celiac disease. Most people may not have a problem eating gluten rich foods. But some people do have this sensitivity to gluten. These people don’t just experience digestive problems. They experience brain fogging, memory loss, and depression. So it is a highly discomforting disease. And many manufacturers advertise their products as gluten free. Gluten free food can be organic, but not always There is a lot of misinformation about gluten free foods being organic. Gluten free means that there no traces of gluten. It does not necessarily mean these foods are organic. Well, they can be organic, but it is not mandatory for gluten-free foods to be so. Now this is where the misinformation lies. Many people assume that gluten free foods are organic. In other words, the quality of a food being gluten free automatically makes it organic. And this has lead to steady sales of gluten free products. All because rumors travel more than genuine information does. Another section of consumers think that a gluten free diet can help them lose weight. They feel that this type of food is good to maintain one’s body weight. There are so many gluten free foods that can increase weight rather than decreasing it. Some gluten free foods are rich in carbs, fats, and calories. Eating them regularly can actually make you gain weight in quick time. You will have a hard time losing this weight. Gluten free foods also use food additives and chemicals which are harmful. Unfortunately, many mainstream manufacturers use this as an opportunity to cash in on uninformed customers. They use the gluten free label to invite unsuspecting customers into buying their products. These customers are lead to believe that eating such foods is actually beneficial to their health in the long run. Another alarming trend is that manufacturers use this tag on foods that naturally have no traces of gluten. All this is done in an opportunistic manner. So what is the best way to deal with this? Customers are advised to gain as much knowledge on gluten free foods. Knowledge is power when it comes to choosing gluten free products.
A simple search on the Internet can help you understand which foods are rich in gluten and which foods are not. Additionally, you may read user reviews on popular food forums to understand which manufacturers resort to such unscrupulous tactics.
How much gluten is good for you?
- People suffering from celiac disease must totally abstain from gluten. It has been researched that eating gluten can increase risks of osteoporosis, certain types of cancers, and cause infertility to people suffering from celiac disease.
- No, there are no shortcuts for people affected with celiac disease. They ought to stay away and stay off gluten forever. This is a commitment they have to make. Understandably it is difficult. But there’s no other choice.
- There are no general recommendations for people with gluten intolerance. There are no prescribed limits as well. The nature and intensity of the gluten intolerance varies by individual. But yes, there is a spectrum of gluten sensitivity that doctors refer to. The higher the sensitivity on the spectrum, the more chances of contracting celiac disease and vice versa.
- Physicians feel that people who are on the lower end of the gluten sensitivity spectrum can eat healthy amounts of gluten. However it is yet to be established whether they could move up in the gluten sensitivity spectrum due to their eating habits.
Being gluten free doesn’t mean you are eating healthy
- When you eat wheat, barley or rye, and feel a deep discomfiture, you may be having gluten intolerance. You have to get checked by a doctor immediately.
- Before cutting off gluten from your diet, you should seek help from a good dietician. There are many foods that are gluten free, but are not healthy. They are high in fats, and calories. They use toppings, and additives that can do your health more harm than good.
- You must know that there are plenty of foods that are a hidden source for gluten. Getting a collation of such foods is difficult. Only a qualified dietician or a nutrition scientist can help you with this. Gluten free food can be organic as well. At the same time, some gluten free foods can be nothing but junk food that you can do without.
- Getting professional help is the right step forward. And you can see dramatic results in short time. Your world will be gluten and fat free. And you will be walking on the highway to healthy living.
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