If one thing is for sure, fads fly through Emory more often than most people change their underwear—between hair feathers and leggings as pants (just kidding, those were just an abomination), we all tend to latch on to the ‘latest’ trend and then hold on for dear life. For instance, many people are still wearing leggings as pants. However, the same concept of trends carries over when it comes to food, or lack there of.
Last year it was low-carb and this year it’s no-carb. Being gluten free is sweeping the nation, and Emory seems to be right on board. However, what the school lacks in options for the people actually suffering from gluten allergies and Celiac Disease, the population seems to make up for it in the latest dietary option. However, most people don’t understand what gluten free means, how many food items actually have gluten in them and more so, the repercussions that come with cutting an entire food group out of your diet.
So, what is gluten?
Gluten is the protein composite in foods processed from wheat, barley, rye, and other similar grains. It is what helps bread to rise and gives it that great, light, and airy quality we all nom on constantly.
Where is it found?
Gluten is found in bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, soups, rue’s, gravy, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, salad dressings, and many other random items. Yup, that’s right—the gluten free diet is one I like to call the “fun free” diet.
You may not have realized that the Panera soup you were inhaling or the late night orders of Chinese food contained your friendly friend gluten. But flour is used to thicken most sauces, soups, and gravy’s, not to mention, gluten can sneak its way into many basic cooking items, such as soy and teriyaki sauce and even chocolate and candy.
What does this mean?
If you are stating that you are gluten free, for whatever your reasons may be, you are cutting a lot out of your diet, without even realizing it. Not only do you have to ask a million questions or specify everything when you go out to eat, but also celebrating birthdays or engaging in events that contain ‘free food’ are probably eliminated. Being completely gluten free means no beer or many dark alcohols, your burger can’t have a bun, let alone touch the bun, and get used to reading a lot of labels to see if products contains wheat or other ingredients. Also, if you have stocked up on gluten free cookies, breads, pizzas, and other products because you think they are healthier, think again. Many of these products contain more calories and more fat because of how much they have to add to have it taste ‘normal’.
So lets be real, if you don’t have to be gluten free, why would you be? True, many people that are forced to go gluten free lose weight at first, but that is normally because they haven’t adjusted to eating the right amount of calories or because their body was retaining so much water from not being able to tolerate what they used to eat. Being gluten free can be a healthy lifestyle change, yes, but it is also a difficult one. Having to tell a restaurant nothing can touch your plate that has been contaminated is a hassle. Really think hard before you use this as a dietary excuse because doing this right does not involve cutting corners. Your body needs everything in moderation, including carbs.
My advice, if you don’t have to do it, stick to fun eating. You only live once.