Should You Try a Gluten Free Diet?

Gluten; is it a bad thing or not? Not a simple one to answer but we’ll do our best.

Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains and found in the obvious places like bread, pasta, cereal etc and the not so obvious like soy sauce, beer and doughnuts! We don’t hate gluten (and we certainly don’t hate doughnuts) but we have found that lots of people are either allergic, intolerant or just do a bit better by cutting back on the amount they consume. When we first started making our snacks, it was never our intention to keep them free from gluten because it was ‘bad’, we just wanted to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy them because they are damn delicious!

So, could you benefit from trying to reduce or remove gluten from your diet? Let’s take a look:

Digestive issues: If you just can’t beat the bloat, it could be a sign of a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

Skin issues: If you look good, you feel good! Certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis herpetiformis (a fancy word for rash that flares up on elbows, knees and other places) can be linked to gluten sensitivity.

Joint pain and inflammation: Are you blaming your bad back and weak knees on old age? Joint pain and inflammation could be a sign of an autoimmune response.

Chronic fatigue: Your lack of energy might not be those late nights pointlessly scrolling on your phone. If you’re frequently feel tired or fatigued, it could be a sign of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

Mood changes: Some studies have suggested a link between gluten sensitivity and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Unexplained weight loss or gain: We don’t think you should be a slave to the scales, but if you have experience unexplained weight loss or gain, it could be a sign of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

Family history: If you have a family history of coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, you may be at a higher risk of developing these conditions yourself.

Could these issues be related to other health conditions? Yes, but Coeliac Disease impacts 1 in 100 New Zealanders, with the rate said to be higher as most are undiagnosed. Restricting your gluten intake could help you gain control of your body and your life.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to give up all your favourite snacks!. We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to gluten free options, with alternatives to pretty much everything. Most importantly, our Tom & Luke products are certified gluten free (and always have been) so you won’t have to check the label.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms above, please contact your GP or a health care professional for a check up.