Are you tempted to give the grain-free diet a try because it seems like more and more of your friends and co-workers can’t stop talking about it? Then keep on reading this article — below you will come across some of the most essential matters you need to know about this diet before you finally decide to undergo it.
Don’t forget to repost this later on to let everyone you care about also know it much better before they give it a go!
A Quick Look
Just like what it’s called suggests, the grain-free diet is a form of diet that eliminates all kinds of grains from one’s meals. Individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity or intolerance are already doing it, although just a partial version of it as what they’re dodging are only grains that contain gluten, namely: wheat, rye, barley, spelt and triticale.
Someone who is on a strict grain-free diet eliminates all kinds of grains from his or her diet, including those that are deemed as generally healthy such as brown rice, wild rice, oats and millet. Definitely, food products that are out of them such as breads and pastas are removed from the diet, too.
Although not really considered as a requirement, some people who are on the grain-free diet also steer clear of just about anything that’s derived from grains. Some common examples are rice wine and corn syrup.
Reasons for Undergoing It
Just like what’s mentioned earlier, the grain-free diet is being done by individuals who have conditions that entail removal of any gluten-containing food from the diet. Needless to say, the grain-free diet is primarily intended for those who have sensitivities or intolerances to certain compounds or substances found in grains.
The grain-free diet is also usually ideal for individuals who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as it can help to effectively put high blood sugar levels in check — grains contain high amounts of carbohydrates that are converted into sugar once they’re inside the body. Based on numerous scientific investigations, the said diet may also prove to be helpful for those who are suffering from all kinds of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions.
According to proponents, the said diet that’s gaining more and more attention can also be very good for managing anxiety, depression and various mood-related disorders. They say that it has something to do with the fact that gluten found in many types of grains can aggravate these psychological issues.
A Weight-Loss Diet
The grain-free diet is extremely popular among those who wish to deal with excess pounds by getting their food intake modified. So in other words, in many instances it is regarded as a weight-loss diet.
Earlier, it was stated that the grain-free diet is commonly suggested for type 2 diabetes sufferers as it helps to considerably reduce the amount of carbohydrates or sugar introduced into the body. Well, the elimination of grains from the diet also helps to reduce the amount of one’s daily caloric intake — in order to lose weight, the body should be able to burn more calories than it is getting.
It’s for this reason exactly why a lot of people, including most especially those who are fond of trying one weight loss diet after the other, give the grain-free diet a try. Removing grains from the diet may also help to speed up the metabolic rate due to reduction in inflammation, which is something that can leave a person’s metabolic rate running sluggishly.
Associated Health Concerns
Just like so many other diets around, there are advantages and disadvantages to welcoming the grain-free diet into your life. If truth be told, many health authorities do not consider it as a healthy form of diet as it entails the elimination of certain types of foods and thus results in failure of the body to be supplied with certain nutrients.
For instance, one of the most common unfavorable effects of the grain-free diet is constipation. We all know that oats, brown rice, wheat and various other grains are loaded with fiber essential for the proper elimination of waste materials in the lower part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Grains are revered by health authorities because of the fact that they are very good sources of B vitamins, which are vital for keeping the brain and nerves healthy. Grains also contain good amounts of minerals such as iron and magnesium. Due to this, ending up with certain nutritional deficiencies is a possibility if you turn your back on grains every mealtime.
The Takeaway
While there are a number of perks associated with the grain-free diet, one cannot discard the fact that there are also some downsides to it as it encourages eliminating certain foods from the diet, which can certainly keep the body from getting some of the nutrients it greatly needs.
Before giving the grain-free diet a try, it’s a good idea to first ask your primary care provider about it especially if you have a known medical condition. If currently you are in the family way, you should never try the grain-free diet or any other kind of restrictive diet for the purpose of slimming down.
