Give the grain-free diet a miss

Here’s why…

2nd November, 2019

The information overload on nutrition and fitness can be mind-boggling, the line between facts and fads getting blurrier by the day. The latest to join the hype is the grain-free diet. While weight-loss may be quick, the lack of grains in your meals and consequent side effects it could have on your physical as well as mental well-being are certainly not worth the risk. Learn more about this diet before you embark on it.

What is the grain-free diet?

A grain-free diet as the name suggests is one devoid of grains, whether gluten free or otherwise, including dried corn.

Foods not allowed

Wheat, rye, barley, rice, millets and foods derived from grains like pasta, bread, oatmeal, muesli etc.

Foods allowed

Fruits, vegetables ( including the starchy variety like potato), milk and milk products, eggs, chicken, fish, fats, nuts etc. Some versions of it allow pseudocereals like quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat.

Pros:-

This diet is ideal for those suffering from…

• Celiac disease
• Gluten allergy
• Inflammation
• Fibromyalgia

Cons:-

• Constipation
• Deficiency of B vitamins
• Promotes orthorexic eating (defined as obsessive behaviour in pursuit of healthy eating leading to anxiety disorders)

Our take

Grains are staple in Indian diets. Our coastal regions give us access to the most nutritious regional foods like rice, jowar, bajra, amaranth, wheat etc. Grains add happiness and satiety to a meal, hence going grain-free is not a good idea for physical, mental and emotional fitness.