All types of diet have been created to help people lose weight ranging from the Cabbage Soup diet to the Mediterannean diet but one diet which is gaining popularity is the Gluten Free diet and celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow have been linked to it. Before digging deeper into the advantages of a gluten-free diet, let's discuss what is gluten. Gluten is a protein composite naturally found in cereal grains like wheat, rye and barley which gives dough its elasticity, aiding it rise and maintaining its shape. Pizzas, bread and pasta all contain gluten as they are made from dough.

If there is such a craze about the gluten-free diet, what are the real benefits and does gluten free help you lose weight? Some of the benefits of a gluten-free diet include:

(1) Increased energy levels
(2) Slimmer physique
(3) Less belly bloating
(4) Improved cholesterol levels
(5) Better digestive health
(6) Heart disease prevention
(7) Diabetes prevention
(8) Lowered triglycerides

It's important to point out that many people who go on a gluten-free diet usually have a gluten intolerance(gluten sensitivity) or a celiac condition. Gluten intolerance and celiac symptoms can include stomach upset, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea and bloating. Celiac is an intestinal disorder and people who want to lose weight with a celiac condition should avoid gluten as the latter will be hard on the digestive tract and prevent the absorption of nutrients resulting in unwanted body fat. According to research, it is said that one in 133 americans have a celiac condition and with the obesity rates skyrocketing in America, no wonder the gluten-free diet is becoming increasingly popular. Here are 3 reasons why going gluten-free will help you lose weight:

Unhealthy Gluten-Rich Foods

Many foods that contain gluten are processed, calorie-packed and unhealthy, examples include pizzas, pastries, cakes, muffins, donuts, cookies, crackers, white bread, fried foods(with breading), gravy, sauces, dressings etc… so one major benefit of a gluten-free diet for weight loss is by avoiding gluten-rich foods, you'll have a much easier time losing weight as the aforementioned foods are not appropriate on a weight loss diet.

Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

Going gluten-free would also mean eating more fruits and vegetables and avoiding unhealthy oils and unhealthy carhohydrates offering you more weight loss benefits. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber which are very effective for weight loss. Other nourishing foods that can also be included in a gluten-free diet are brown rice, wild rice, sweet potatoes, yams, quinoa, millet, amaranth, tapioca, taro, soy, pure buckwheat, corn, potato, beans, fish, grass-fed beef and dairy products.

No More Overeating or Binging

Since you'll be eating more nutritious foods on a gluten-free diet, you'll be less likely to overindulge or binge in between meals as these gluten-free foods are satiating and will stave off hunger pangs. As you might already know, overeating is detrimental for weight loss as your body doesn't have enough time to use all these calories as energy with the excess getting stored as fat in the form of triglycerides.

Tips: When doing your grocery shopping, it's a great idea to check the label well first if there is any mention of gluten for certain products. Some foods which contain gluten will usually have a small note on the label saying "Contains Gluten". Or if the products don't have gluten, you might see something like "Certified Gluten-Free". But beware of certain products which say "Gluten-Free" but may contain traces of gluten(small amount). If you're gluten sensitive, you need to pay attention to these details.