The Half Truth and Nothing But the Half Truth

So, you have eliminated gluten from your diet and you are really feeling good about yourself. You have heard that eliminating gluten from your diet will alleviate any stomach or digestive distress that you have been having. For most people, removing gluten from their diet is essential to healthy living. For others, the harmful effect of gluten extends in ways of which they are not even aware. Increasing this awareness will go a long way in feeling better and improving your health.

Several days ago I was commenting on a post that was made by the moderator of a group site. This person was so excited that she had discovered a new gluten-free recipe for bread. Of course, the actual blood sugar raising health ramifications of eating grains that had added rice or tapioca starch to replace the gluten that had been removed was not discussed. Once I mentioned this in a comment, not only was I reprimanded, but my post was quickly removed. I was told that the site was only for people to post gluten-free recipes and that members were on their own when it came to the health aspects of the food once the gluten had been removed.

I am still not sure if the moderator understands how the removal of gluten affects the food she was promoting. However, if she is going to run a site encouraging eating certain foods, these are issues that must be addressed; for example, knowing the dangers of consuming too much almond flour. In small amounts, almond flour can be used as a healthy substitute to avoid unhealthy wheat or whole wheat flour. Unfortunately, this message is seldom expressed. Almond flour has a highly concentrated amount of almonds that have been crushed up that can lead to an unhealthy ratio of omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids causing inflammation in the body. Ideally, a 1:1 ratio should be your target. Using almond flour and other gluten-free substitutes, sparingly, can allow you to enjoy certain foods without suffering health consequences.

That said, make sure you pay close attention when listening to those who are telling you what foods to eat. There should always be an adequate explanation to what you are putting in your body. The half truth and nothing but the half truth just won’t do when it comes to your health. And always, always ask questions.