Because I am writing a health blog, I feel obligated to discuss a diet that has recently become quite popular: the gluten free diet. However, I feel somewhat uneducated on the subject, as I have no idea what gluten is. I did some research in an attempt to discover the secrets and benefits to a diet free of all things gluten.

            According to BistroMD, a diet program, gluten is what makes bread “chewy.” Other websites clarify that gluten is responsible for the elasticity in bread. It is only present in wheat, barley, and rye.

            The most shocking part of my journey for enlightenment was finding that a gluten free diet is only beneficial to people who have Celiac Disease or intolerance to gluten. Otherwise, a gluten free diet is only helpful because it cuts out a lot of processed foods. Instead, people will find themselves eating more fruits and vegetables for the first week or so, before they discover that chocolate is also gluten free.

            An expert on the acclaimed diet, Jacqueline Mallorca, said that gluten is not bad for you, though it is easy to see why people might think it is. Supermarkets are devoting a section for gluten free food. This can give the impression that anything “free” of something is healthier. However, you’ll always get better results if you simply eat a well-balanced diet and exercise portion control.