Newsweek Web Exclusive

[sbj]

This recent article at Newsweek should spark some lively discussion. My apologies if this has already been discussed.

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A New Diet Villain

Americans are spending about $2 billion a year on gluten-free products, which advocates claim can help with everything from autism to ADHD, but is the trend more about hype than health?

By Karen Springen | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Dec 3, 2008

About six years ago, Diane and Jim McConnell and their son, James Jr., 11, embarked on a dramatic diet change. They decided to give up foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Sticking to the regimen is no easy feat

[Mother of Jibril]

In the meantime, experts say the current gluten-free fad is unlikely to hurt anyone's health. It is, of course, generally good to eat fewer processed baked goods and more vegetables. Still, says Columbia's Green, those without a celiac diagnosis should be cautious about adopting the restrictive diet: "I don't think people should torture their children unnecessarily."

This article is sooooo contradictory... since WHEN is it "torture" to give your kids a healthy diet????

I'm really starting to hate mainstream "medical" advice

[Takala]

Oh, that's really bad. I wonder if it was edited that way or if Dr Green is morphing into that much of an a$$ ?

Oh, how I would have loved to have been "officially" diagnosed, but NONE of the doctors I saw before I figured it out myself at the age of 47 knew what they should look for, and after the year 2000, the insurance companies have been nothing but crooks, so the doctors aren't very motivated to look !

And I already have other auto immune and neuro complications which are associated with it. Hint, hint !

This pre- existing condition routine if your insurance changes: why would I want to be "officially" diagnosed now, anyway?

The lack of comprehension: Hey, guess what, many times the FAMILIES of the gluten intolerant/celiac like to eat the gluten free food with us, so we don't have to worry about cross contamination, so why is anyone complaining about more sales of gluten free foods? More sales= more accessability= easier. Duh !

Think of how many undiagnosed people Oprah brought into the light with her publicity !

97% of those with gluten intollerance/celiac are currently undiagnosed- well, thank goodness for the "inter- tubes" and the blogs and bulletin boards, because the medical profession still gets a flunk on this one !

As to the part about "torturing" children, that's just disgusting. What a terrible attitude. Imagine a mother with a child who just found out, came here to read, and she now has the attitude she's depriving him/her to the point of abuse, when in reality it's just eating different forms of carbohydrate and starches so the kid doesn't feel sick all the time. That attitude rubs off on the children. It's not hunger, it's not bad food, quite the contrary, it's just DIFFERENT FOOD. For shame.