What annoys me is people deciding to go on a gluten-free diet. This annoys me because there is absolutely nothing whatsoever that is even vaguely unhealthy about gluten! Gluten is a protein that naturally occurs in wheat, oats and barley. Nothing wrong with it at all. Unless you have coeliac disease. This is an autoimmune condition where sufferers are gluten intolerant, to greater or lesser degrees. Coeliac disease suffers have to eliminate gluten from their diet because it can make them very sick, as well as damage their bowel, and even potentially develop cancer. Coeliac suffers is the reason why gluten-free foods first started, not because gluten is unhealthy. What’s more, Gluten is what makes cakes and bread soft and springy, so to compensate for that, gluten-free foods are often high in fat to improve their texture and make them a bit more palatable. So if you’re considering whether or not to go on a gluten-free diet just ask yourself one question: “Do I have coeliac disease?” If the answer is no then you have your answer!
