Day: September 16, 2025

The gluten-free diet has grown in popularity but is it the right diet right for you?

The gluten-free diet is suited for people who are diagnosed with celiac disease, or they have gluten insensitivity. But for general population, it is definitely not necessary, Franciscan Health registered dietitian Yu-Han Huang says. “The reason is the gluten is present in wheat, barley and rye, and these are the main whole grain sources that we eat in United States. If you eliminate gluten, means you eliminate the whole grain group. The whole grain group has a lot of plenty of vitamin B and fiber, and eliminating the whole group will make you less likable to achieve the fiber and getting those vitamins in your daily intake. So for the general public, I will say no, it’s not necessary for you to follow the gluten-free diet.”

Adhering to a gluten-free diet may have a weight loss effect because of the elimination of the whole- grain group, and that means less amount of caloric intake.

Whether you should go gluten-free, should you go gluten-free diet depends on your health condition. If you have celiac disease or you have gluten insensitivity, follow a gluten-free diet. But for general public, it is not necessary to follow those.

Learn more about going gluten-free from our dietitians at https://www.franciscanhealth.org/news-and-events/news/should-i-try-gluten-free-diet.