HEALTH

Breaking down the gluten-free trend with Allie Henrie

Apr 2, 2019, 1:08 PM

SALT LAKE CITY — In a few short years, gluten-free food has moved from the back of specialty health food stores to the front of popular consciousness. The gluten-free diet is no longer reserved for those suffering from celiac or autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, but prescribed to treat everything from obesity to depression. It’s among the trendiest of diets right now, and gluten-free meals are readily available in most restaurants and grocery stores.

But the answer to the critical question — does it work, and for whom? — remains murky.

Allie Henrie, a registered dietitian at Total Health and Fitness, says most people adopt a gluten-free diet in a misguided attempt to target simpler problems.

“[Gluten] is not inherently bad for you in any way,” Henrie told Maria Shilaos on Let’s Get Moving with Maria last week. “But with there being an increase in the awareness and the diagnosis of people with celiac disease, it’s at the forefront of people’s minds.”

The gluten protein is found in wheat, oats, barley and rye, making it most present in carbohydrate-heavy foods. Coincidentally, carbohydrates are also the main component of most dieters’ so-called “problem foods.”

“Carbs are a pretty common enemy when it comes to weight loss,” Henrie said. “I think that’s where the trend stems from — we try to target one particular thing that’s causing our problems regarding health or weight, and if we get rid of it, then naturally we think that that was the ultimate culprit.”

“Maybe it wasn’t necessarily gluten,” she continued. “Maybe it was the fact that we were eating excessive amounts of these carb-heavy foods that happen to contain gluten.”

Henrie isn’t advocating for listeners to cut out carbs altogether; rather, she encouraged them to consume mindfully.

“Carbohydrates aren’t bad for you, we all need them to survive. But too much of anything is not going to be a good thing,” she said. “It’s all about balance.”

Ultimately, though, gluten-free eating is an unnecessarily complicated way to pursue that balance.

“Unless you have something like celiac disease or hashimoto’s, it really isn’t harmful to you,” Henrie said.

You can listen to the full episode here, or subscribe to Let’s Get Moving With Maria here.

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

1 day ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

2 days ago

Over 30% of people in Utah are considred prediabetic because of the amount of soda they drink....

Amanda Dickson

Is Utah’s soda obsession behind our levels of prediabetes?

Here in Utah, our soda drinking habits might be making us particularly at risk for prediabetes and diabetes.

2 days ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

3 days ago

Small screens...

Don Brinkerhoff

Small screens impacting the mental health of kids says study

The increased use of small screens by kids and teens may be linked to increased mental health issues according to a study.

3 days ago

bottles of prescription medication at a desk. 16.2% of Utahns are unable to get the prescription me...

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Utah ranks second in the nation for prescription medication shortages

The hardest prescription medication to get is for ADHD, cancer and high blood pressure.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Breaking down the gluten-free trend with Allie Henrie