What is the deal with the gluten haters?

To some it is poisonous. It’s an allergy.

Yes. It affects .5 – 1% of humans in the world. More humans than that starve to death because they can’t get food, such as bread.

Peanuts kill some people too but you don’t see other people marching around dissing peanuts. I think the people I’m referring to think it’s some sort of…diet thing.

I brought it up because some one posted a dessert bar recipes. It’s packed full of useless sugar and fat but people are lauding it because it’s gluten free. I don’t get it.

Hey! I don’t belittle your “Carbs” don’t be hatin’ on my glutes.

It’s a legitimate health concern which has turned into a fad. You’re right, there are far more people worried about their gluten intake than are actually at any risk from consuming gluten.

What is it? From what it looks like, it’s found in breads. So does these people quit eating breads of any kind?

Edit: Do. “Do these people….”

Gluten is a protein in wheat and also in some other grains. My mother was diagnosed with celiac disease more than 10 years ago by biopsy of her intestines, so she is one of the very few who is truly allergic to it. Gluten is a binding protein that is even used in the adhesive on stamps and envelopes – my mother can not lick those. My mother can not eat anything with wheat, and ideally should avoid the risk of cross-contamination from kitchens where flours are in use and can get into meals that are prepared without gluten.

Some people have sensitivity to gluten and have milder symptoms of gassiness and loose stools. Others claim that gluten contributes to behavioral problems in kids. I have not investigated these claims, so I can not say if there is research to back it up. Another fad is the Paleo Diet, which cuts grains and most starchy carbs from the diet. Those people are OK with fats and some honey or unrefined sugar as sweeteners, though.

So, because some people, from what I read .5 – 1% of the world’s population, can’t tolerate gluten, suddenly people all over the place are jumping on a no-gluten diet?

Some people have severe allergic reactions to peanuts.
My daughter is allergic to strawberries.
Why isn’t there a bandwagon encouraging people not to eat those foods?

People confuse me. This is the same group, btw, that is germaphobe, uber-religious and they’re all obese.

High glycemic index. Glyconation, cell mutation, cell death, etc.

What @josie? Speak English!

I can’t imagine anyone’s avoidance of gluten affecting others, don’t concern yourself about the choices others make in their lives, to each his own. My mother avoids gluten but not strictly, just if at all possible, no big deal, she certainly doesn’t hate gluten, what a waste of time.

This is the same group, btw, that is germaphobe, uber-religious and they’re all obese.

Oh c’mon, @Dutchess_III, really? It’s a diet fad for those who aren’t gluten intolerant. My atheist, non-germaphobe wife of my sister has lost 60 lbs. since she went gluten free. She’s a chef and she heard how this diet has helped many of her friends feel better, so she thought she’d try it. It worked for her and it has helped my sister lose weight too. Why you hatin’ on people like her? They were overweight, but not obese. They are also not uber-religious or germaphobes. You are wrong, wrong and wrong.

What is gluten? I mean, how does one avoid it? How does avoiding it help people lose weight? Is it simply avoiding breads? Where did this concept spring from? Is it a take off from the Dr. Whatshisname “no carb diet” that was all the rage a while back?

Processed “gluten free” foods loaded with crap are crap. But many people are discovering that they feel better if they eat whole foods without gluten (or processed ingredients).

Also, people who genuinely have celiac disease have struggled for many, many years to eat foods that did not make them sick. Now there are commercially available foods. Small population, but very grateful and excited folks who no longer have to agonize over preparing all foods at home.

Try Wheat Belly. The theory is that wheat has been modified over the generations such that it is no longer the edible grain it once was. It now causes GI upset and blood sugar imbalance.

OK, so gluten is found in grains. It gives the bread its texture and helps it keep its shape in the rising process. I don’t think I’d like bread that didn’t have gluten in it.

@Cupcake that link was back to the private teachers thing. ;)

Oops.

http://www.naturalnews.com/036845_wheat_belly_weight_gain_gluten.html

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/

Late to this thread but here’s my take – a few years ago, my dear babysitter’s son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. He was about 10. In researching Celiac Disease, out of concern for him and to give her some information, I found out that gluten is in many products that we’d not realize: cough medicines, barbecue sauce and other condiments, processed meats, you name it, the list goes on. People who have tried gluten free diets (like Elizabeth Hasselhoff from The View) say it makes them feel a whole lot better. So I say don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

In researching for my babysitter, I found some gluten free cooking and baking sites. They say that when you bake gluten free, using flours made from other things other than wheat, you can actually add or modify the flavors of what you bake because wheat flour is relatively bland. You can use flours made from things like almonds, hazelnuts, stuff like that, which alters and adds flavor. I’ve never tried it but it sounds interesting.

Again, like someone said above, let’s not hate on the people who try something and find success with it.

Just came across this article on an interesting research finding: in cases of “gluten sensitivity” other than actual Celiac disease, the problem may not be gluten at all, but another protein, adenosine triphosphate amylase, which has been increasingly bred into wheat varieties to increase insect resistance.

That would explain the sudden increase in people claiming to be gluten sensitive.