May is Celiac Awareness month! A month to spread awareness for an autoimmune disease that affects men and women of all ages and races. As a familiar term in the health industry, gluten free is often viewed as a lifestyle choice; though, celiac disease is not a choice at all. Celiac disease is a serious condition that damages the small intestines and makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food. Without proper treatment, this disease can have serious side effects ranging from infertility to reduced bone density and other autoimmune diseases. Currently, a gluten free diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease and is even more beneficial when accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and organic food choices. Due to the increasing amount of spotlight placed on gluten free and organic foods, many myths have arisen, and it has become hard to tell fact from fiction. In honor of Celiac Awareness month, we've decided to dispel the top five myths surrounding organic and gluten free foods to help you make the best choices when it comes to your health. Myth #1 - Gluten Free Foods Aren't as Flavorful This may have been true when gluten free foods were first developed, although due to the increase in awareness of celiac disease, within the last five years gluten free foods have gained more attention and their quality has improved drastically. When creating gluten free products, companies now use ingredients that mimic the texture of gluten and still maintain the same flavor. This process has made it difficult to distinguish the difference between gluten free and non-gluten free foods. Meaning, when it comes to being gluten free, it's now possible to have your cake and eat it too! Myth #2- Those Who Don't Have a Gluten Intolerance Won't Benefit From a Gluten Free Diet While many individuals with celiac disease are encouraged to stay away from gluten altogether, researchers have found that gluten free diets can also benefit those who dont suffer from a gluten intolerance. Grains containing gluten commonly contain fructans, a type of soluble fiber. When eaten in large amounts, fructans have been known to cause gastric distress such as; abdominal cramping, bloating and gas, and can worsen syndromes like IBS. Restricting fructans is advised if individuals are experiencing abdominal symptoms and has been proven to aid in healthy digestion. Aside from rarely containing fructans, gluten free foods are often lower in sugar and sodium as well, meaning, even individuals who do not have a gluten intolerance can still reap the benefits of gluten-free foods. Myth #3 - You Will Lose Weight on a Gluten Free Diet Gluten free diets are beginning to be seen more like a weight loss trend rather than treatment, but do they truly aid in weight loss? The short answer is no. Due to the vast amount of foods that contain gluten, at first, the diet may appear to be extremely restrictive and cause individuals to cut out some of their favorite foods such as bread and pasta. These foods usually contain a high amount of carbs, and when restricted the amount of carbs an individual consumes is also reduced resulting in weight loss. Still, it is important to note that weight loss is not always the outcome and that many processed gluten free foods are made with starches low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The lack of nutrients found in processed gluten free foods may cause a person to get hungry sooner and over eat. It is important when following any diet to make healthy and wholesome choices when it comes to food, and ensure that your nutritional needs are being met. Myth #4 - Celiac Disease Is a Wheat Allergy and Is Extremely Rare The truth is celiac disease is one of the most common hereditary autoimmune disorders in the US and is prevalent in about 1 of every 133 Americans. When a person has celiac disease, anytime gluten is ingested their immune system attacks itself and causes damage to the lining of the gut, making it hard for the body to properly absorb nutrients. When an individual with a wheat allergy ingests wheat, the immune system will produce an anaphlaxis response that may cause difficulty breathing and need intervention with epinephrine. Wheat allergies should be taken extremely seriously. When an individual with gluten sensitivity ingests gluten, they experience almost the same symptoms as celiac disease. The difference between the two is the way that the immune system views gluten, with celiac disease the immune system attacks its own tissue, whereas with gluten sensitivity the gluten is attacked directly. Myth #5 - Organic and Gluten Free Food Isn't Affordable When is comes to specialty products such as organic and gluten free, many automatically assume that they're more expensive, yet that is not always the case. While many natural product prices reflect the cost of labor and the strict regulations that these products must meet, farmers, grocers, and co-ops are always making an effort to guarantee competitive prices. By comparing prices, couponing, and shopping locally you can easily find organic and gluten free foods at comparable or cheaper prices than competitors. A gluten free diet should not stop you from cooking and baking your favorite things. From gluten free grains to gluten free flour and even gluten free cereal, at Bobs Red Mill you will find a number of products and recipes available to suit your needs. Going gluten free organic has never been more delicious.