The Gluten Free Fad

I want to talk about one of America's latest food obsessions, gluten free products. Gluten is a substance you will find in many grains like cereal, pastas, cookies, pastries and even beer.

I had never heard of gluten until a few years ago and I don't think the majority of us did either. I lived on cereal as a kid, ate lots of pasta, and tipped quite a few brew-skies in my time, so what's the big deal?

I had no idea why people insist on a gluten free diet, so I did some research and one of the first things I found is foods that contain gluten are harmful for people with Celiac Disease (People with a first-degree relative with Celiac disease- parent, child, sibling have a 1 in 10 risk of developing Celiac disease)

Read more here.

There are others that are bothered by gluten and avoid it as best they can.

While I believe that some people have to avoid gluten, I think most of it is a fad I call the "Emperors New Clothes" Syndrome.

I also believe many food product manufacturers gain far more than the average person who buys gluten free products, a recent government survey backs that up at more than twice the cost.

Most people assume that a gluten free diet is more healthy when in fact a gluten-free diet can lack vitamins, minerals, and fiber says WebMD.
It's a free country, feel free to eat whatever you desire! I pay enough for groceries, so I’ll continue to graze on my oats and grains.