Miley Cyrus Goes Gluten Free & The Press Doesn’t Like It
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI
Another celebrity brings press attention to the gluten free diet, but it’s not all positive. This week, singer Miley Cyrus became the latest celebrity to endorse a gluten-free diet, claiming she has a gluten and lactose allergy.
“For everyone calling me anorexic I have a gluten and lactose allergy. It’s not about weight it’s about health. Gluten is crapppp anyway!” she tweeted Sunday.
Later that day she added, “everyone should try no gluten for a week! The change in your skin, physical and mental health is amazing! U won’t go back!”
Cyrus, who has recently been photographed taking a lot of pilates classes and looking fit, may indeed be thriving on the challenging gluten-free diet, a tough regimen that cuts out wheat. barley and rye. (LA Times)
She says she’s lost weight on her new gluten free diet, but that may in fact, be due to the fact that she’s cut out her steady diet of beloved junk food.
“This response sparked attention, from multiple critics. Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian in Pittsburgh and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said, ‘We actually see people gaining weight on gluten-free diets. That’s because dieters craving bread, waffles and cookies may load up on gluten-free versions that add fat and sugar to make up for lost taste and texture.’” (Huffington Post)
Critics are quick to point out that a doctor should be involved with diagnosing celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity before going gluten free, and they often point out their opinion that the gluten free diet isn’t for everyone.
Why all the criticism of gluten free diets? While a gluten free diet does not automatically guarantee weight loss, many people are helped by a gluten free diet, including those with autoimmune disorders, ADD, autism, skin disorders, to name a few. A gluten free diet certainly won’t hurt you, especially if you are supplementing with the vitamins and minerals that you are missing by not consuming fortified wheat products (see a health professional who understands the gluten free diet if you are unsure), and it may just help a variety of health issues.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the majority of the articles that surround Mylie’s new diet would wish her well, congratulate her for doing something good for her health, and point out the benefits of a gluten free diet for those who need it?
People love their gluten. Hostility seems to arise as more and more people find issue with gluten in their diets, especially well known people, and then begin to tell everyone they should give up gluten as well. Last night on The Tonight Show, Jay Leno said, “I didn’t know how much I loved gluten until I had a gluten free cookie.”
No. Everyone doesn’t need to go gluten free, but many find it very beneficial.
Nothing contained here constitutes medical advice. See a health professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
I am 73 and have been on a Gluten-Free diet for over 2 years. My weight has stayed the same..I do not crave bread. I eat very simple meals of potatos, rice, meat, fish and vegies…Not very hard. I would recomend a gluten free diet to those who suffer from IBS…It could be celiac.
Im gluten free and have been for 7 years with my husband who has celiac. He suffered for over 20 years until we made the change. Do not suffer make the change!
I have been glutin-free for three years now, while I have gained some weight, some due to meds and some due to eating, I will say that I do feel better. I do not crave glutin foods. But I do wish people would accept that this is not a new diet fad, this is a choice for my health.
I have been gluten-free for about 12 years. I do not crave sweets or cakes. Once in a while, I would love a good pizza or bagel, but I don’t really miss the baked stuff. There is certainly enough other food to eat.
I am much, much healthier though. I think I always had a gluten problem, it’s just that the doctors didn’t know what to look for.
‘We actually see people gaining weight on gluten-free diets. That’s because dieters craving bread, waffles and cookies may load up on gluten-free versions that add fat and sugar to make up for lost taste and texture.’
OR MAYBE they are gaining weight because they spent their whole life underweight due to their bodies not absorbing nutrition. I was always a stick- couldn’t gain weight no matter what I did. I’ve gained 30 lbs on GF diet- not that I love that, but I’m now a more normal size. My daughter ‘failed to thrive’ as a baby until we tried the GF diet. She is a beautiful, average-sized child today, after 8 years on the diet.
I wish nutritionists and doctors would back up their claims with actual research, rather than just making stuff up based on a bias they have. SO not helpful.
It is sad that celebrities are jumping on a band wagon that just doesn’t play their song. She says allergies, but that would not explain the weight loss. Making GLUTEN FREE a fad is irritating and misleading. I no longer crave such products, but doesn’t mean I don’t think about a gooey cinnamon roll or a great grinder.
My boyfriend and his mother are highly allergic to gluten. I have gone on the gluten free diet with my boyfriend and I had never felt that good. People don’t realize that there are some really good gluten free stuff out there. I have tried everything that there is for sweets and goodies that there is to offer and OMG they are sooo good. Here is a place not far from where i live that makes some awesome cookies http://www.wowbaking.com/ There are a lot more people finding out that they have a gluten allergy and dont know what to do, and where to get stuff to stay away from it.
I have been gluten free for 5 years due to celiacs. I lost weight as well. Why people think that you would gain weight is beyond me. Leave the girl alone.
I’ve been GF for just over a year. Haven’t lost any weight, but have managed not to gain. Would love to loose some, need to, due to other medical issues, meds and a car accident that saw too much pile on, but going GF has been the BEST thing I’ve ever done. I discovered my issues w/ gluten accidentally, so didn’t get the full testing done before hand. Did try going back on for the 8-12 weeks you are supposed to for testing, but by the end of 2 weeks i could no longer function and my doc agreed that, for me, it didn’t matter. It was obvious that I needed to avoid it for life.. so easily done.. the first year I did rely heavily on the prepackaged substitute food while I relearned how to cook, but now we’re cutting most of that out as well. I am still overweight, but I am healthier then I’ve ever been, have more energy then I have in the last 10 years since my health started going south, and i am loving it. Hubby and my step kids are mostly GF when they are here (kids only here for the summer and hubby works away from home for weeks at a time so would be impossible for them to go 100% with me – he has no control over the foods offered when he’s away and their mom isn’t going to do it..) but we’ve worked out rules and ways to keep things safe for me, and happily I love to cook and so happy I can do that again. I was terrified of it at first because of all the ways I had to change it, but it’s fun again! Not a Miley fan, really, but good on her! Though she is going to need a bit more education so she can be a proper spokesperson for us all (hopefully that will come with time..) but I understand that referring to it all as an ‘allergy” is a lot easier when dealing with most people, the just won’t take anything else seriously… that needs to change too..
The only downside of celebrity attention is the reinforcement of the notion its a fad or weight loss diet. Celiac and gluten intolerance are diseases caused by the ingestion of gluten which damages the lining of the intestines inhibiting the ability to absorb nutrients essentially causing malnutrition despite eating like a horse. Once the gut is healed up and working like its supposed to you will gain weight like an inflatable raft somebody just pulled the ripcord. Most people go for the gluten free versions of their favorite foods right off the bat and they are usally higher in fat, sugar, and calories than the regular version. Top that with absorbing the food better and you get the picture. The ones who lose weight don’t load up on the gluten free substitutes but rather concentrate on lean meats and vegetables, essentially eating healthier. So if a person thinks gluten free is a “diet” and their going to lose weight eating gluten free donuts, cookies, and bread, they are sorely mistaken.
Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change and, like anything new, it takes some getting used to. You may initially feel deprived by the diet’s restrictions. However, try to stay positive and focus on all the foods you can eat. You may also be pleasantly surprised to realize how many gluten-free products, such as bread and pasta, are now available. Many specialty grocery stores sell gluten-free foods. If you can’t find them in your area, check with a celiac support group or go online. -
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