Panic at the tandoor is real when you have celiac disease, and the concept of gluten-free is not well-known in Pakistan. What is gluten exactly, and how to avoid it?

Panic At The Tandoor

For a country that loves its naan and parathas, the idea of going gluten free can seem next to impossible. But those with gluten intolerance or sensitivity don’t have a choice.

Overview

We&rsquo;re a country that loves our gluten. Traditional Pakistani foods are heavy on gluten. These include parathas for breakfast, roti and naan for lunch and dinner. Bread is a part of our staple diet. Yet, more and more people are being advised to give up gluten &mdash; a vital protein found in our bread and carb-heavy food. 
The food industry of late been also been all about gluten-free options. This is not only limited to the ingredients that you get but has also become a thing in restaurants.

Why is every other person quitting the yummy gluten-rich foods?

The answer is simple: our health depends on it. Let us take us through why gluten is bad for you and while occasional consumption of it may not be a massive issue, reducing its intake can benefit you greatly in the long run if your body is unable to handle gluten that well. 
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Gluten - a massive issue

Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. A lot of proteins come under the umbrella name of gluten. It aids in holding the shape, adding texture and flavour to the flour. It is found in everything that is made up of flour. 
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Initially, the concept of going gluten-free came from people who had <a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/celiac-disease">celiac disease</a>. It is a chronic digestive disorder that is affected by the ingestion of gluten. This gluten tends to damage the person&rsquo;s small intestine and may cause long-lasting digestion issues. The symptoms involve bloating, headaches, joint pain, abdominal pain, etc.&nbsp;

The management of this disease is best done by following a gluten-free diet. 
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Gluten-free Diet

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	You Cannot Be Intolerant To Gluten But Still Have Gluten Sensitivity: In cases like these, you may not even realise the impact of gluten on your body until it is too late. Gluten sensitivity can worsen joint pain, causing general inflammation in your body especially your joints. An average of 13% of the population is known to suffer from gluten sensitivity.
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	<li>You Are Not Missing Out: Whether it&rsquo;s gluten or gluten-free products, there is not much difference in the key nutrients involved. Most of the flours available today are so processed that most grains are eliminated.</li>
	<li>Leaky Gut Syndrome: This is common in people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consumption of gluten can cause intestinal inflammation and may even block the nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. 
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Bottom Line

We have all been overwhelmed by the bombardment of advertisement exhorting a gluten-free lifestyle. But, how many of us truly need to spend that extra buck to go gluten-free?

Nobody knows your system better than you do. There is not enough information or research that backs up the claim of going gluten-free when there is no need for it. The nutritional quality of gluten vs gluten-free foods is not too different from each other. You can adopt a healthier lifestyle by completely changing the types of flour you consume, but the presence or the absence of gluten will not have a significant impact on your health.

Consult your physician or nutritionist to determine which path is right for your body and if gluten has any impact at all on your health. You may be suggested a few tests before getting advised to completely rid your life of gluten.&nbsp;

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