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Health food concerns: Is a gluten-free diet necessary?
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Gluten-filled: Gluten can be found in many cereal grains and their derivative products, like flour and bread. (Unsplash/Wesual Click) (Unsplash/Wesual Click)
Gluten-free is an increasingly common term, but do those who follow such a diet really understand what it means?
Many Jakartans are turning to gluten-free food in the hope of leading a healthier lifestyle.
This trend is visible through the growing number of gluten-free food establishments in the country, especially its larger cities.
They have a presence in restaurants, food stores and cake shops. Sometimes, claims of providing a "gluten-free diet" are a big part of their brand.
Gluten – a type of protein in grains that includes barley, rye and wheat – exists in processed foods such as cereal, pasta and bread, among other types of food. There is a trend of people who have yet to be diagnosed as having an intolerance to gluten, thinking that a gluten-free diet would be beneficial for their health. This process of self-diagnosis is something health experts warn against.
Adriyana Chandra, a nutritionist at Light House Clinic, said that both gluten-free and non-gluten-free foods could be healthy, depending on each individual's physical goals and their ability to balance a healthy eating pattern.
"Many people misunderstand and think gluten-free food is healthier than other types of food. This opinion can be misleading. If you don't have a gluten sensitivity, it is fine to eat gluten-based food as long as you maintain a balanced diet."
