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Gluten Free Common Sense

Gluten Free Aisle

I was recently featured on Fox News to discuss gluten free foods and the gluten free aisle in the grocery store. The interview included one of the most common questions I get asked – What is safe to eat on the gluten free aisle in the grocery store? Please take a minute to listen to the discussion below.

Stop The Gluten Free Madness

I am all for the occasional conveniences in life, but at what point do we step back and say that this has gone a little too far? Going gluten free is about one thing – Better Health. If that is the case, why do so many people reach for the least healthy “gluten free” items on the grocery store shelf? Many of these products are not healthy to eat in the first place. Let’s take a look at some common findings in “gluten free” products:
  • Large quantities of processed sugar (Newsflash – this just in – sugar is bad for us!)
  • Genetically modified ingredients (GMO’s have been shown to damage the GI lining)
  • Grain based substitute flours like corn and rice (substitute grains are known to create the same types of problems as wheat, barley, and rye)
  • Thickening agents that are difficult to digest (xanthan gum)
  • Processed dairy products with added hormones and from cows eating a grain based diet.
What does all of this add up to? A diet that is incapable of providing the adequate nutrition necessary to maintain health or as in the case of those with a long history of gluten induced damage, a diet that will not support proper healing and recovery. I see it over and over again in my clinic. Patients come in who have been following a traditional gluten free diet already. Yet they remain sick and their health is in a downward spiral. The biggest reason – they use the above unhealthy foods as staples in their diet. They are incapable of healing.

The Cardinal Rule of Nutrition

  • One can neither achieve or maintain health eating food that is not healthy (regardless of gluten status).
Bottom line – if you are following a gluten free diet and still having persistent issues with your health, please consider changing your food choice. Gluten free does not mean healthy, and often times gluten free on a label doesn’t mean TRUE gluten free. Change your diet, change your life.

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Written by Dr. Peter Osborne Updated on February 22, 2013

3 Responses

  1. Hi dr osborne,
    this article really an eye opening to me because i thought gluten free labeled products are really gluten free.past one year i almost stopped using grains .God is healing all the allergic conditions i faced in the past.
    thank you for all the studies you are doing about gluten
    may God bless you
    elsa alexander

    Reply

  2. Hi, I have been visiting your site for a few months now. My problem is IBS and Gluten Intolerance. I haven’t found much information on IBS so I don’t read everything here. Recently my daughter, who has this same problem with her health, said to me, Just Eat Meats and Vegetables, and be careful about the meats. So, I’ve done just that and I feel SO MUCH BETTER even in 1 week. I just had my 69 (unbelievable)birthday and can’t waste my time being sick. So, I’m sticking with this program now. My husband and I eat a big raw salad every day.He does NOT have any food problems. With IBS I can’t eat these 7 things: Barley, Beans, Citrus, Dairy, Onions, Garlic and Wheat. Now there’s more added which I’m happy to know. I’ve stayed away from gassy veggies also, cabbage and such. I feel really good for the first time in a long time. I Do like your site. Thanks for your time. Gwynn.

    Reply

  3. Hi Dr. O.

    I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010, I was at the ER with severe abdominal pain. An ER nurse (not the Doc!)suggested I get checked for celiac disease. I fell into the same trap so many of us have done by buying all the processed so called “franken foods” in the gluten free isle as you have discussed. After thousands of dollars wasted on doctors that do not understand celiac disease and making the wrong diagnosis and advice, I finally started feeling better following a “True Gluten Free Diet”as you recommend.
    Eliminating corn and rice from my diet as well as
    wheat, rye , barley and oats was the key!

    Thank you for all you do and your great advice!!

    Brian Jury
    Roseville, Mi.

    Reply

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Peter Osborne, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Peter Osborne and his community. Peter Osborne encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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