Cutting a food group altogether from a person’s diet is not for everyone. Others can adjust to the new program after some time while others simply don’t. While there are varying experiences for people, we can all agree that the transition is not a walk in the park.
Zoe Ettinger of Insider, for one, decided to skip dairy and gluten for a week to try if the diet will work for her during the pandemic. However, after some time, she did get tired of it and found the program to be too restrictive for her.
Advantages of Cutting Back on Dairy, Gluten
Some people experience bloating after consuming too much dairy while others suffer from nausea, stomachache, and indigestion. Dermatologists have also previously said that cutting out the food group from your diet can help you achieve clear, glowing skin.
Ditching gluten has also been linked to throngs of health benefits. This group of proteins is usually found in wheat and grains.
Those with celiac disease are especially prohibited from consuming this type of food but others who don’t suffer from this health problem should also know that gluten can affect gut function and can cause irritable bowel syndrome.
Nutrients from Dairy and Gluten
However, just like other groups, dairy and gluten provide vitamins and minerals that are essential to the body. As such, people opting to totally scrap these from their diet should find essential nutrients from substitutes or other foods.
Dairy provides calcium, vitamins D and A, protein, phosphorus, magnesium, probiotics, and zinc. As for gluten, it gives thiamin, vitamin B12, B6, and D, niacin, riboflavin, iron, calcium, and folate.
Things May Get Boring
For Zoe, who is a vegetarian, she didn’t expect to need so many things just to replace dairy and gluten that were supposed to supply her key nutrients. At the start, however, it was easy since she knew recipes already.
However, it eventually became repetitive and it became particularly harder during breakfast, when all she used to consume was a bagel with cream cheese or yogurt with banana. As such, if you have the same morning meal as her, it can be difficult for you, too.
Her Verdict
Despite missing cheese so bad, Zoe admitted that she suffered less bloating and that she was more energized than usual. However, she said that she wouldn’t scrap dairy and gluten from her diet rather this experience has helped her reduce her intake.
According to Mayo Clinic, the major risk that comes with having a gluten-free diet is not being able to get the necessary nutrients, which is why if you will adhere to this diet, it is crucial that you find other sources.
