While gluten-free meals have become a popular remedy for those with celiac disease, some experts are claiming that it also aids with weight loss. As this statement is now being contested, many are searching the internet for the truth. What you’ll find may surprise you, especially considering the effect of gluten on your body.
Let’s unravel the mystery of gluten-free diet weight loss and whether it’s really possible to achieve it.
Firstly, let’s expand on what gluten is for those who don’t know as yet. It’s a protein found in specific food groups, such as rye, wheat, and barley. You’ll also find them in meals with these ingredients, including bread, pasta, and cereal. People with celiac disease often avoid gluten, but why?
Celiac disease is when the body’s autoimmune system reacts to gluten by damaging the lining in the small intestine. You’ll feel the symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss. Gluten intolerance is another factor that resembles a celiac disease.
If you don’t have celiac disease, you may want to reconsider changing to a gluten-free diet weight loss program. But cutting it out of your meals, you may experience overeating due to cravings, feeling guilty around food, and other withdrawal symptoms. Binging on these meals may also result in gaining weight instead of losing.
Most gluten-free meals have a tendency to be lower in protein, so it may be harder for you to gain muscle if that’s your goal. It’s also an excellent source of fiber, so removing it from your diet can end in constipation. As a source of vitamins that boost your immunity, you could also be harming your body in the long run if you don’t plan properly.
Strangely, not all gluten-free meals are healthy. The primary reason is that many are missing the nutrients you need to fuel your body and repair muscles and cells. If you compare an apple with a cookie that has no gluten, both are gluten-free but the former is healthier than the latter.
You’ll see many shops advertising that their confectionaries are gluten-free. That’s all well and good if you have a sweet tooth, but what about all that sugar and fat? They are also rich in calories, which begs the question of whether eliminating gluten truly reduces weight.
There’s no hardcore evidence that gluten-free diet weight loss is cast in stone. Sure, you could probably find some meals heavy in nutrients that’ll aid you in reducing weight. However, you can’t merely change your diet to this plan and assume all gluten-free food will help you.
It’s best to read the labels before you buy any meals advertised as gluten-free. There are healthy options, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and lean meats that have fewer calories. If you follow this process, you can lose weight over time, as long as you ensure your body is receiving the nutrients it needs.
If you’re still determined to continue with gluten-free diet weight loss, there are a few strategies you can try. You’ll have to continuously incorporate these tips if you want to see results over time.
Eat clean meals: Focus on healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates;
Fewer processed foods: Most of the ingredients used to make these products gluten-free are high in sugar, calories, and fat;
Count calories: To reduce weight, you need to lower the calories you eat daily;
Plan your meals: It’s best to prepare which means you’ll be eating for the weeks ahead to ensure a nutritious diet.
It depends on how well your body adjusts to the new diet. For some, they can feel the change within the first few days. A noticeable change is only visible after a few weeks, while your body might only truly adapt in a few months’ time.
You’ll need to ensure that you keep up with your program and not cheat too often to maintain the weight loss. Remember to also supplement it with regular exercise if possible.
When we discussed how you can lose weight with a gluten-free diet, we indicated that you should plan your meals in advance. Thankfully, there are vendors who provide meal kits that they deliver to your door. We’ll look at a few of them quickly.
Freshly provides healthy and gluten-free packs with four to twelve deliveries per week. You’ll pay between $8 and $12 per serving, depending on which plans you accept and how many meals you order for the weeks ahead.
BistroMD not only delivers meals free from gluten but also diabetic and heart-healthy dishes. It has a specific gluten-free program where you can customize the menu, ensuring you receive all the rich goodness your body needs. You can choose between five and seven days for deliveries.
Splendid Spoon also has unique gluten-free plans, but you can opt whether you want breakfast, lunch, dinner, or all three. You can also bulk order meals instead of signing up for a subscription. To find its gluten-free meals, simply click on the dietary-needs filter in the site’s sidebar.
Despite the false claim that all gluten-free foods can help lose weight, you can make a plan for it to happen. The secret is ensuring that your body still receives the nutrients it needs while keeping calories, sugars, and fats low. We hope this guide has shown you the best options available.
