Why ‘Gluten Free’ Is Not Always A Healthy Choice

I speak to many mothers wanting to do the right thing and buy healthier food for their kids and themselves. Unfortunately, marketers have realised that if they put ‘Gluten Free’ on their product packaging most shoppers will assume it is a healthy option…but far from it!

Most ‘gluten free’ products you’ll find on the supermarket shelves are made with processed carbohydrates, thickeners, emulsifiers, sugar, preservatives and yeast, and they are cleverly marketed ‘Gluten Free’ under names such as Pure-Bred. For someone suffering from digestive problems or intolerances, these products may be a worse option than choosing a good organic wholefood product. Why?

Firstly, I have been experimenting with gluten free alternative foods for the last 7 years for my daughter, and subsequently for myself. My daughter had major gut dysfunction, and through trial and error finding healthy alternative options, she now has a pretty good digestive system. So I write this blog based on my experience.

To maintain a healthy gut, the food that needs to be avoided is sugar. A healthy digestive system requires a healthy gut flora (friendly bacteria) to provide a natural barrier from ‘bad’ bacteria, toxins and parasites. Eating processed and sugary carbohydrates promotes the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria and species of fungi, such as, Candida, Streptococci and Staphylococci, which can cause various health problems and gut dysfunction if they get out of control.

If you are celiac and cannot tolerate any gluten at all, then when it comes to bread, a gluten free bread may be your only option…if you have to eat bread. Having said that, research studies have shown that even some celiacs may tolerate an organic sourdough traditionally made with a natural sourdough leaven (not baker’s yeast). This traditional fermentation process produces enzymes that break down the gluten protein in the flour in a process called ‘hydrolysis’. My daughter can tolerate Sonoma Spelt Sourdough that you can buy at Harris Farm and Thomas Dux stores along with other Sonoma sourdoughs.

So my advise here is don’t just read the attractive marketing razzle dazzle on the front of the packet saying ‘gluten free’ with all the big red ticks on the side. Turn to the back and read the ingredients…and if you don’t know what they are it’s likely your body doesn’t either!

I’ll be blogging more about wholefood alternatives

Gaby Bonello

Holistic Kinesiologist – Ki Life Kinesiology, Northern Beaches Sydney.