This ABC news report is the most ridiculous thing that I have watched in a long time. The fact that some doctors are saying that going gluten-free can be dangerous to your health is absurd! The doctor they interviewed from Columbia University Medical Center, that claims that there is no scientific evidence showing the validity that going gluten-free can have any health benefits unless you are a celiac? Try logging onto PubMed and typing in the word "gluten," there are about 9084 articles published on that same topic. On the first page of this search you have topics addressing gluten and neurological disorders, gluten sensitivity, gluten and gastrointestinal issues, etc. For him to truly believe that there is no scientific evidence showing that gluten-free can be beneficial for someone's health, simply means that he hasn't even tried to look for it.
The doctor that they interviewed, Dr. Peter Green, claims that a gluten-free diet is dangerous because it lacks fiber, and wheat flour has been fortified with vitamins and minerals. Dr. Green here are just a few foods that are gluten-free and that are high in fiber:
- Avocado- 1 medium contains 11 grams of fiber
- Artichoke- 1 medium contains 10 grams of fiber
- Raspberries- 1 cup contains 8 grams of fiber
- Blackberries- 1 cup contains 8 grams of fiber
- Lentils- 1/2 cup contains 8 grams of fiber
- Black beans- 1/2 cup contains 7 grams of fiber
- Broccoli- 1 cup contains 6 grams of fiber
See you can still include fiber in your diet, without eating gluten!
Dr. Green later states that going gluten-free long term can cause vitamin B deficiency. Well guess what? There are gluten-free foods that contain B vitamins as well:
- Meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, liver, etc.
- Nuts such as brazil, hazelnuts, cashews, etc.
- Fish such as cod, salmon, tuna, etc.
- Vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, green beans, yams, broccoli, etc.
There is also good news for anyone that has taken-up a gluten-free diet and has also decided to avoid ALL the above foods, it is called nutritional supplements. There are supplements out there that supply you with fiber, B vitamins, calcium, everything that you are missing by eliminating fortified gluten-containing grains from your diet.
Free feel to take Dr. Green's warning and believe that going gluten-free can be harmful to your health; after all he is a doctor. Or you can take the advice from someone like Elizabeth Hasselbeck, who is a beautiful, fit woman, that is always full of energy.
I think that you will start to see more and more that gluten-free isn't just a fad or celebrity diet. Gluten-free diets have changed the way people feel; eliminating digestive issues, migraines, learning disabilities, skin issues, weight issues, etc. There are so many studies readily available to enlighten Dr. Green on the merits of going gluten-free, he just hasn't taken the time to look.
Watch this video and make your own opinions. Also check out Babycakes bakery!
Pura Vida!
Alica Ryan, NTP
I wish the the newscaster would have interviewed someone else, like a dietician or a nutritionist who knows and understand more about nutrition than your average medical doctor who most likely took one, maybe even two classes in medical school about nutrition. The newscaster was lazy in the fact he did not do his research either.
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