Trying to understand the differences between these can be tough. If you don’t have a grasp on what each diet means and the benefits of them, you might be constantly Googling the same few questions: What is gluten? What are the reasons to go on a low-carb diet? Are gluten-free and low-carb diets the same?
Luckily, we've answered your questions here. Read on to learn more about what they are, how they’re different, and what benefits you can get from each one.
What Does Gluten-Free Mean?
People who have gluten sensitivities and those with Celiac disease eat gluten-free foods. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, and when consumed by someone who is allergic or has a sensitivity, it doesn’t properly process and break down within the system.
When someone with a gluten sensitivity has gluten in their small intestine, their body sends an autoimmune response that is aimed at attacking the gluten. This can cause damage to the receptors that absorb nutrients, so if you are someone who cannot eat gluten, you should stick to a strict gluten-free diet.
Though gluten is used when baking to help retain moisture and keep the shape of the food item, there are many alternatives that can be used as a replacement for a grain.
Some alternatives that you can use in your meals are:
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Cornstarch
- Potatoes
- Almond meal flour
Some of the meals we make at Thistle includes gluten-free sourdough bread, made by Young Kobras. Young Kobras uses gluten-free flours, including brown rice flour and cassava flour.
Reasons to Be Gluten-Free
There are certain autoimmune disorders that could benefit from a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease affects the small intestines by attacking them whenever the body senses gluten in the system. Continual consumption of gluten when you have Celiac disease can lead to health issues, like skin irritation and bone density loss.
People who deal with gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can also benefit from going gluten-free, as gluten is related to bloating and digestion problems.
Foods with Gluten
Gluten exists in wheat, rye, and barley, so a gluten-free diet will probably tell you to stay clear of them. It might seem difficult at first to find ways to avoid gluten if you are someone who once heavily relied on different breads and pastas to fulfill yourself, but once you find what substitutes work best for you, it’s easier to make the changes you need to feel better.
Foods that often contain gluten are:
- Breads and cakes
- Candy, cookies, and crackers
- Alcohol, like beer
- Pasta
- French fries
What is Low-Carb?
A low-carb diet is pretty much how it sounds. It’s a diet that limits the intake of carbohydrates, especially those found in foods like sugars, bread, and pasta. Someone who is on a low-carb diet will instead focus on consuming protein-rich foods for their energy sources. An extreme version of this is a keto diet, although not all low-carb diets result in ketosis.
So often people see fats as something we should avoid eating in our diets, but healthy fats are essential to consume. It’s been found that we shouldn’t be shying away from healthy natural fats, but rather incorporate them into our diets in moderate amounts. If you limit your sugar and starches and consume adequate protein, you can also consume plenty of healthy fats.
Studies have also shown that low-carb correlates with lowering blood sugar and controlling weight loss. Those who are eating fewer carbs do not feel as hungry as protein and fats do a great job at restoring energy and keeping you fulfilled.
Why Go on a Low Carb Diet?
A low-carb diet can be useful when you are trying to lose weight. If you are going on a diet to lose weight, one of the hardest things to get through is the hunger that you might experience.
Studies have shown that cutting carbs can reduce hunger as there is a need for fewer calories in a day.
There is rapid weight loss when on a low-carb diet because it gets rid of excess water from your body and your insulin levels are reduced. You also increase your levels of good cholesterol when on this diet.
Low Carb Foods to Eat
If you are following a low-carb diet, there is no need to be restrictive. You can still enjoy different types of foods, here are some that are lower in carbohydrates:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Lean meats like chicken or turkey
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
Sticking to a low-carb diet can be challenging at first, so it’s important to learn what works for you and give yourself time to adjust.
So, Are Gluten-Free and Low-Carb the Same Thing?
Gluten-free and low-carb diets are not the same thing. Though they do require cutting out similar foods to achieve their goals, they do not represent the same kind of diet.
People decide to do a low carb diet often as a way to lose weight, whereas gluten-free diets usually arise due to gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease. Carbohydrates are found in a lot of foods that contain gluten, but they also are present in fruits and vegetables. Gluten-free lifestyles often promote the consumption of all kinds of fruits and vegetables and don't really limit you to only some.
Gluten-Free and Thistle
At Thistle, all of our meals, snacks, and drinks are gluten-free. We bring plant-based deliciousness to your doorstep with several options to make sure you are getting exactly what you want.
We make it easy for those who deal with gluten sensitivity to find food they want to eat because all of our meals are free of gluten. Many of our meals are low in carbs, but we do not try to maintain a low carb diet as our meals are not for weight-loss. And the plant-based foods we use in our meals offer up so many other health benefits.
We have plenty of different types of meals to choose from and you can customize what you want each week. Sign-up today to start eating gluten-free; we do the hard part for you!
Source:
Trying to understand the differences between these can be tough. If you don’t have a grasp on what each diet means and the benefits of them, you might be constantly Googling the same few questions: What is gluten? What are the reasons to go on a low-carb diet? Are gluten-free and low-carb diets the same?
Luckily, we've answered your questions here. Read on to learn more about what they are, how they’re different, and what benefits you can get from each one.
What Does Gluten-Free Mean?
People who have gluten sensitivities and those with Celiac disease eat gluten-free foods. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, and when consumed by someone who is allergic or has a sensitivity, it doesn’t properly process and break down within the system.
When someone with a gluten sensitivity has gluten in their small intestine, their body sends an autoimmune response that is aimed at attacking the gluten. This can cause damage to the receptors that absorb nutrients, so if you are someone who cannot eat gluten, you should stick to a strict gluten-free diet.
Though gluten is used when baking to help retain moisture and keep the shape of the food item, there are many alternatives that can be used as a replacement for a grain.
Some alternatives that you can use in your meals are:
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Cornstarch
- Potatoes
- Almond meal flour
Some of the meals we make at Thistle includes gluten-free sourdough bread, made by Young Kobras. Young Kobras uses gluten-free flours, including brown rice flour and cassava flour.
Reasons to Be Gluten-Free
There are certain autoimmune disorders that could benefit from a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease affects the small intestines by attacking them whenever the body senses gluten in the system. Continual consumption of gluten when you have Celiac disease can lead to health issues, like skin irritation and bone density loss.
People who deal with gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can also benefit from going gluten-free, as gluten is related to bloating and digestion problems.
Foods with Gluten
Gluten exists in wheat, rye, and barley, so a gluten-free diet will probably tell you to stay clear of them. It might seem difficult at first to find ways to avoid gluten if you are someone who once heavily relied on different breads and pastas to fulfill yourself, but once you find what substitutes work best for you, it’s easier to make the changes you need to feel better.
Foods that often contain gluten are:
- Breads and cakes
- Candy, cookies, and crackers
- Alcohol, like beer
- Pasta
- French fries
What is Low-Carb?
A low-carb diet is pretty much how it sounds. It’s a diet that limits the intake of carbohydrates, especially those found in foods like sugars, bread, and pasta. Someone who is on a low-carb diet will instead focus on consuming protein-rich foods for their energy sources. An extreme version of this is a keto diet, although not all low-carb diets result in ketosis.
So often people see fats as something we should avoid eating in our diets, but healthy fats are essential to consume. It’s been found that we shouldn’t be shying away from healthy natural fats, but rather incorporate them into our diets in moderate amounts. If you limit your sugar and starches and consume adequate protein, you can also consume plenty of healthy fats.
Studies have also shown that low-carb correlates with lowering blood sugar and controlling weight loss. Those who are eating fewer carbs do not feel as hungry as protein and fats do a great job at restoring energy and keeping you fulfilled.
Why Go on a Low Carb Diet?
A low-carb diet can be useful when you are trying to lose weight. If you are going on a diet to lose weight, one of the hardest things to get through is the hunger that you might experience.
Studies have shown that cutting carbs can reduce hunger as there is a need for fewer calories in a day.
There is rapid weight loss when on a low-carb diet because it gets rid of excess water from your body and your insulin levels are reduced. You also increase your levels of good cholesterol when on this diet.
Low Carb Foods to Eat
If you are following a low-carb diet, there is no need to be restrictive. You can still enjoy different types of foods, here are some that are lower in carbohydrates:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Lean meats like chicken or turkey
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
Sticking to a low-carb diet can be challenging at first, so it’s important to learn what works for you and give yourself time to adjust.
So, Are Gluten-Free and Low-Carb the Same Thing?
Gluten-free and low-carb diets are not the same thing. Though they do require cutting out similar foods to achieve their goals, they do not represent the same kind of diet.
People decide to do a low carb diet often as a way to lose weight, whereas gluten-free diets usually arise due to gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease. Carbohydrates are found in a lot of foods that contain gluten, but they also are present in fruits and vegetables. Gluten-free lifestyles often promote the consumption of all kinds of fruits and vegetables and don't really limit you to only some.
Gluten-Free and Thistle
At Thistle, all of our meals, snacks, and drinks are gluten-free. We bring plant-based deliciousness to your doorstep with several options to make sure you are getting exactly what you want.
We make it easy for those who deal with gluten sensitivity to find food they want to eat because all of our meals are free of gluten. Many of our meals are low in carbs, but we do not try to maintain a low carb diet as our meals are not for weight-loss. And the plant-based foods we use in our meals offer up so many other health benefits.
We have plenty of different types of meals to choose from and you can customize what you want each week. Sign-up today to start eating gluten-free; we do the hard part for you!
Source:
