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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Is the gluten free thing just a hype?
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I haven't been diagnosed with anything but suffer a lot of bloating. -
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Laura Majewski
Exercise Scientist
Laura Majewski is a qualified Sports and Exercise Scientist and an accredited member of ESSA. Laura graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Applied … View Profile
Hi there,
Recently, there has been a huge wave of people wanting to go gluten free simply because they claim it will help them ‘'lose weight’' or that is it ‘'better’' for them. But in actual fact, most people dont even know what gluten is. Lets just clear the air now: gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some brands of oats. It is what helps ingredients ‘'bind’' or stick together. It is found in a bunch of different foods including bread, cereals, pasta, crackers etc…
In some cases, people will suffer from gluten intolerances or even celiac disease. The only way to find out if you have a gluten intolerance is to eliminate gluten for 60-90 days (this allows it to be removed from the gut) and slowly allow foods back in. When doing do keep a list of what you have eaten and any symptoms after ingestion e.g. bloating, vomiting, gas, mood disturbances etc… Symptoms dont have to be as generic as bloating, but can also be sleep disurbances, menstural changes, hormonal imbalances or mood changes.
I hope this helps.
LauraReport this post
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Thanks
Chris Fonda
Dietitian, Nutritionist, Sports Dietitian
As an Accredited Sports Dietitian, APD and athlete (springboard diver), Chris has both professional and personal experience in sport at the sub-elite and elite level.Chris … View Profile
To add to Laura's comments. There is much hype around the “gluten-free” diet/lifestyle with many people self diagnosing themselves as “gluten intolerant” and quite often unnecessarily cutting out gluten with no real reason to. I specialise in gastrointestinal disorders and find that many of my patients come to see me as a last resort to solve their GI symptoms.
My advice would be that if you feel that you are having a reaction to foods which contain gluten, before cutting it out completely, see your GP and ask for a coeliac serology test. If positive, you will then need a referral to a gastroenterologist for a small bowel biopsy to confirm that coeliac disease is present. If negative, book yourself in to see an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) that specialises in GI complaints or food intolerances. Many foods that contain gluten (such as bread and pasta) may also contain other naturally present substances which could be causing uncomfortable GI symptoms (i.e. bloating, gas, diarrhoea/constipation etc.). An APD will be able to help you determine what triggers your symptoms and be able to prescribe a diet that accounts for this but also maintains nutritional quality.
To find an APD near you that specialises in food intolerance and GI complaints, head to www.daa.asn.au/for-the-public/find-an-apdReport this post
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LindaHealthShare Member
I chose to go gluten free even though i have not been tested, due to what i have read, and i do feel better when not consuming gluten especially wheat, i would suggest trying it and see how you feel. If the bloating doesn't go away try taking out something else until you find what stops it.
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