Go Beyond Gluten Free
By: Shoshanna Levy
Published: May 6, 2011

In honor of National Celiac Awareness month, it seems like the perfect time to mention the idea of going beyond a gluten free diet. As a holistic nutritionist, my specialty is gluten free living, and I know just how difficult it is to kick the gluten habit. One big problem is that many people just replace every scrap of bread, pasta, cereal, and baked goods with the gluten free alternatives. While, this may be better than actually eating gluten, it still means a diet high in processed foods. Many  celiacs have a variety of health issues due to their years of eating foods that their bodies are intolerant too.
This often means an overburdened liver and a weakened immune system. Gluten free packaged goods are often loaded with agave, sugar (organic or refined) and GMO additives, which are linked to inflammation and create more work for the liver. I urge those of you on a gluten free journey, to move toward a diet rich in whole unprocessed foods. Use root veggies and whole grains like quinoa and buckwheat for your carbs and put down all of those expensive and highly  processed gluten free goods.
Photo: sho