Health

FORT WORTH, Texas (CBS) ― The health claims are popping up everywhere: lose weight, feel more energized. Grocery stores and restaurant chains are hopping on the bandwagon, too. But, what is the real story behind a gluten-free diet?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and sometimes found in oats. Registered dietician Lona Sandon said, even though only one percent of the population has a gluten sensitivity to things like bread, pasta and cereal, gluten-free dieting has become a fad, reports CBS station KTVT-TV.

Margaret Campbell switched to a gluten-free diet, even though she has no known sensitivity and the grocery products are more expensive. "It was a total transformation," she said.

Campbell said breads and pastas left her feeling sluggish. She's been gluten-free now for about a year and has lost 10 to 15 pounds. "The energy level is just amazing," she said. "I mean, wow, I can't believe how great it feels."

Sandon said there's no scientific proof that avoiding gluten provides any medical benefit, unless you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy. "A lot of those claims are unfounded," she said, "but people are reading them, they're hearing about them and who doesn't want to feel better? Who doesn't want to have more energy?"

And as for the weight loss Campbell reported, Sandon explained, "If you start avoiding certain foods like pasta and breads that are made with wheat, you tend to cut out a lot of extra calories and things you were eating before."

But the need is real for people like Anne Marden. "My son has a wheat allergy," she said, "so we need to buy things that are wheat-free." Marden now has more choices than ever at places like Whole Foods, which has an entire aisle of gluten-free products. "We're able to find him bread and baking mixes for cupcakes and pancakes."

And restaurants like Maggiano's are adapting their menu to gluten-sensitive customers who want more options. Senior Director of Culinary Keith Brunell said Maggiano's has "created rice flours to make our chocolate cakes. They've created rice flour seasonings that are able to do chicken parmesan. They have found a way to do every item on the menu gluten-free."

There's been discussion about gluten-free diets helping children with autism. Sandon said gluten sensitivity may be found in some children with the disorder, and removing it from their diet can provide relief from the symptoms. But it is not a cure.

Here are some more facts about gluten:

-- Eating a gluten-free diet means no barley, rye or wheat (durum, semolina, kamut, spelt). An easy way to remember that is BROW.

-- Eating gluten-free is the only way people with gluten intolerances can avoid symptoms, which include abdominal pain, gas and bloating. Those who don't have gluten intolerances who want to eat gluten-free may perceive it as a healthier way to eat. It could actually help you make better choices, as it really forces people to read food labels.

-- There are a lot of foods that are naturally gluten-free. Fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry are all naturally gluten-free. Potatoes and corn are also gluten-free, which means chips aren't off limits! Frito-Lay snacks, such as Lay's and Tostitos, are made with just three simple ingredients – corn (or potatoes), healthier oils and salt. These are all ingredients that fit into a gluten-free diet.

-- When it comes to foods typically made from BROW ingredients, like pastas and cereals, many companies are now making gluten-free options. But make sure to check the label as companies looking to make gluten-free food taste better often rely on fat to replace gluten. Brands such as Quinoa Corporation and Ener-G are great options and can be found in supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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