These fads are so dumb! Not eating starchy foods to avoid gaining weight is what these people are aiming at but instead they're demonizing a protein that may or may not have anything to do with weight gain/loss. It bugs me to no end because I have actual gluten-intolerant (celiac) friends who would kill for a slice of pizza or some pasta but they physically can't, while these idiots are doing it because "it's cool" but in fact have zero clue about it.
It's wonderful to make an informed choice but to so so without having a clue just goes to show you how gullible we are to food fads. I highly doubt those people are gluten free to be honest. Nobody makes such a drastic dietary change without knowing at least something.
I recommend giving it a try. People do a lot stranger elimination diets. While I'm not strictly gluten free, limiting my wheat intake has improved my lifestyle and taught me a lot about my eating habits.
What annoys me is that so many people take this to mean that everyone who does gluten free is a moron following a fad. I could have told them quickly and easily exactly what gluten is and why I generally avoid it (and I'm not even gluten free, just generally low carb). But a few folks with their neuroses make legitimate dietary choices look silly, and that bugs me.
I am constantly saddened by Kimmel's daily question. He will get a reporter to ask a completely nonsensical question to passersby on the street, and they seriously attempt to answer it. It is hilarious, but oh so sad. I can only hope that the whole thing is a setup, and that those poor twits are actors.
As to the whole gluten thing, you can't be gluten free if you don't know what it is. You have to read every label, because wheat and other gluten-containing grain derivatives are in everything, or at least possibly cross contaminating food. I did a gluten elimination trial a while back, and it was nearly impossible. I feel sorry for people with Celiac disease (although I am not totally sure I don't have some wheat problems, too). The people who claim they are gluten free on this clip are imposters. And that last guy eliminated everything fun right out of his diet! Poor b@stard...
What annoys me is that so many people take this to mean that everyone who does gluten free is a moron following a fad. I could have told them quickly and easily exactly what gluten is and why I generally avoid it (and I'm not even gluten free, just generally low carb). But a few folks with their neuroses make legitimate dietary choices look silly, and that bugs me.
Agreed. I'm gluten free (without having a medical diagnosis) but it took me almost no time at all to notice the benefits of cutting it out. Very little bloating/gas/discomfort compared to when I was eating gluten. I eat a couple of cheese its or a bite of a sandwich and it's back for the entire following day.
I tried it due to issues and found that it works for me. That makes me more in tune with my body, not a moron!
I agree with Munchy and ArcticMamma. I'm gluten free because I can't tolerate gluten, I also am lactose intolerant too and I hate how people think I'm either following a fad or dumb without realizing I have real medical reasons for not eating gluten and dairy >_< Also Brandis right, you can't be gluten free and not know what gluten is! It takes so much time, planning, and research
Anecdotally speaking, gluten/wheat seems similar to dairy; there seems to be a spectrum of how well people tolerate it and how they feel.
I don't really feel too bad eating either unless I overdo it, and then bloating/GI problems happen. My roommate is quite sensitive to both and feels downright crappy with skin problems if she has much of either.
As to the whole gluten thing, you can't be gluten free if you don't know what it is.
But you can SAY you are gluten-free and buy stuff that says gluten-free on the box and make the assumption that you are free of gluten. I am pretty sure that is what he is making fun of, people who hear Gwyneth Paltrow say on GOOP that she is gluten-free and just follow her recipes without even consulting a doctor.
I had a friend who tried to deal with her bowel issues by going gluten free and reducing lactose. But she had a endoctomy and the specialist told her that neither gluten nor dairy were her problem. But it was fructose that she was intolerant too. By that late stage of her life she couldn't be bothered to try to change her diet again.
I don't think those people were actors but its shocking that they didn't even know it was a protein. And more shocking they someone thought it made you fat.
It does kind of feed into the "GF is a fad" bad rap, but the thing is, there are lots of stupid people doing every kind of thing. Any diet, hobby, profession, whatever -- you can find a moron. Which is great, because it means late-night hosts will never run out of "man on the street" interview fodder.
What angers me about the gluten free fad - and the mockery made of eating gluten free such as this video - is that it minimizes how dangerous gluten is for those who have Celiac. My nephew has Celiac and can end up in the emergency room from something as simple as cross contamination. Before gluten free became popular, he was taken seriously when he explained his condition. Now, people just roll their eyes at him.
Also, people do not understand that there is a difference between wheat free and gluten free. Those who are medically required to avoid gluten cannot eat things like malt, soy sauce, anything with modified food starch, etc. which generally are not an issue for those who are wheat intolerant because that condition is entirely different from Celiac.
I suspect that a large percentage of people who are following the gluten free trend are not only ignorant about gluten but have no medical condition which could benefit from this particular change in diet.
For those of us with Celiac, like my nephew, or with wheat intolerance, like myself, the fad has made shopping far easier than it used to be, but it also has seriously damaged our credibility, which is sad and frustrating.
But you can SAY you are gluten-free and buy stuff that says gluten-free on the box and make the assumption that you are free of gluten. I am pretty sure that is what he is making fun of, people who hear Gwyneth Paltrow say on GOOP that she is gluten-free and just follow her recipes without even consulting a doctor.
Yes, you can SAY you are gluten free. And I am a billionaire living on my own private island! LOL. And yes, there is a tremendous difference in true Celiac and the host of other wheat-induced maladies (allergy to wheat, gluten or wheat intolerance, etc). I do think it is a great thing that they are now labeling food to make it easier for people who suffer from these problems. What I don't like is how much JUNK there is masquerading as health food simply on the basis of its glutenlessness. Foods that are sure to make you diabetic, but darn tootin' no gluten!!!
So now we have people with real problems that are able to shop a little more safely. However, they have to shop next to the dude/dudette that doesn't eat gluten, but doesn't even know what it is or why he/she isn't eating it (Oh my gosh, it's going to make me fat!!!! Aaaahh!!!!).
And whatever Gwyneth Paltrow says has to be true. We should all follow her recipes, just because. (Sarcasm-just kidding)
Last edited by Brandis; 05-12-2014 at 09:52 PM.
Reason: Edited to add something I forgot
Jimmy Kimmel - gluten free
