Readers Digest

[Roda]

I usually love to read Readers Digest. I was reading the Dec.-Jan. issue and ran across a box about a fad diet. It was talking about the gluten free diet for people who did not have celiac. They mentioned that there was a study done on people not needing the gluten free diet having lowered good gut bacteria. I have heard that before. The thing that bothered me was the words "fad diet" in the title. I am paraphrasing here as it was a very small segment and it was 4:00 in the morning.

[ksymonds84]

I usually love to read Readers Digest. I was reading the Dec.-Jan. issue and ran across a box about a fad diet. It was talking about the gluten free diet for people who did not have celiac. They mentioned that there was a study done on people not needing the gluten free diet having lowered good gut bacteria. I have heard that before. The thing that bothered me was the words "fad diet" in the title. I am paraphrasing here as it was a very small segment and it was 4:00 in the morning.

I agree with you totally. I hate the words "fad diet"in combination with gluten free. I also hate it when someone thinks that we have a choice. Personally I would choose not to be celiac if I could really choose! I've accepted my new normal when it comes to eating now. Although after almost 2 years, I still occasionally have a pity party when I truly miss something, then my wonderful husband comes along and says "lets see if we can duplicate it!" I guess the good thing with so much media on gluten free is that it keeps the demand up for gluten free foods for all of us that really need it.

[ravenwoodglass]

I don't read Reader's Digest any longer because they are a cover to cover drug ad. It does not surprise me that a digest who relys so heavily on the drug business would downplay a disease that negates the need for script meds for so many.

[OptimisticMom42]

I don't read Reader's Digest any longer because they are a cover to cover drug ad. It does not surprise me that a digest who relys so heavily on the drug business would downplay a disease that negates the need for script meds for so many.

Agreed! 100%

[ChemistMama]

Actually, there was a recent study that shows a gluten-free diet does reduce your gut bacteria, which is why celiacs should take a probiotic:

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[tarnalberry]

But it's important that we realize - for those who do not have celiac or gluten intolerance, it IS a fad diet. For those who don't need it, it really is "a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal", which is the MW definition of a fad. If we just ignore that segment, and don't acknowledge those who are rightly seeing *some* of the use of the diet as a fad, we're just making our lives harder. I certainly don't like that it's a fad for some people, but that doesn't make it less so.

[Roda]

But it's important that we realize - for those who do not have celiac or gluten intolerance, it IS a fad diet. For those who don't need it, it really is "a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal", which is the MW definition of a fad. If we just ignore that segment, and don't acknowledge those who are rightly seeing *some* of the use of the diet as a fad, we're just making our lives harder. I certainly don't like that it's a fad for some people, but that doesn't make it less so.

Point well taken and I do agree with you. Unforunately the first thing people catch when they read something like this is it's a fad and make assumptions for people who are on the diet for legitimate reasons. I guess you can't have it both ways sometimes.

[momofcdson]

So if you go on the gluten free diet because you have a child in your home who has celiac and you want to make it as safe as possible, is it dangerous for the others who are not celiac?

[psawyer]

So if you go on the gluten free diet because you have a child in your home who has celiac and you want to make it as safe as possible, is it dangerous for the others who are not celiac?

No. There is no essential nutrient that is missing from a properly balanced gluten-free diet. The gluten-free diet is not dangerous.

[Lynayah]

No. There is no essential nutrient that is missing from a properly balanced gluten-free diet. The gluten-free diet is not dangerous.

Especially considering that man was made to eat a gluten-free diet.

Thank you for posting this, psawyer.

[Lynayah]

At 1 in 100 its kind of strange that prominant people have not been diagnosed.

Excellent point, Archie_P.

Whenever I watch the Food Network, I always wonder which celebrity chef will be the first to be diagnosed with it . . . or if maybe one or two already have been diagnosed but are living in denial or aren't talking about it. Whoever steps up first will be my hero--Food Network or otherwise (although a celebrity chef would be perfect).

In the meantime, I cling to the belief that everything happens for a reason . . . and when the time is right, the perfect celebrity will appear -- just as with Michael J. Fox.

And then . . . so long, fad; hello, fact.