Gluten Free Diet Plan – What to Eat and Avoid

The gluten-free diet is often touted by celebrities and fitness freaks for weight loss. Is substantial weight loss with a gluten free diet plan truly possible? Let’s find out.

Gluten free diet plan is not only healthy but also gratifying. There are many varying and often very conflicting opinions when it comes to the question of choosing a gluten-free dietary lifestyle. However, eating only gluten-free meals can be a life-changer for people with celiac disease and other forms of gluten intolerance.

Although a strict gluten free diet is mandatory for individuals suffering from wheat allergy, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, non celiac gluten sensitivity, or gluten ataxia, is it beneficial for those trying to lose weight? Read on as we provide you with answers to all your gluten questions and provide you with a gluten free meal plan.

What is gluten? 

Before you start your gluten free diet plan, it is important to understand what gluten is. Gluten is a protein found in grains – specifically, wheat, barley, and rye- which gives the dough elasticity and maintains its shape during the cooking process. It also affects texture by providing a chewy finish. Gluten is also often used as a food additive in processed foods like  bread, pasta, cereal, and pastry. 

Foods to eat/avoid when on a gluten-free diet

Gluten is found in a wide variety of foods, including bread, pasta, cereal, and pastry. It is also often used as a food additive in processed foods. Fortunately, there are many gluten-free alternatives to gluten-containing foods. For example, there are now gluten-free breads, pastas, and cereals available at most grocery stores. 

In addition, there are a variety of naturally gluten free foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, beans, and legumes as well as gluten free snacks such as trail mix that can be enjoyed on a gluten-free diet. The easiest way to redeem the benefits of gluten-free diets or achieve weight loss with a gluten-free diet is to eat single-ingredient, unprocessed foods. 

If you’re gluten intolerant, or if you are avoiding gluten in order to lose weight, read the table below for a primer on what to eat/avoid:

Foods to eat	Foods to avoid
Nuts and seeds	Baked goods
Beans and lentils	Processed foods
Fruits and vegetables	Brewer’s yeast
Healthy fats and oils	Rye, Barley, Malt
Animal proteins like eggs, poultry, meat, and seafood	Wheat and wheat-based foods
Gluten-free grains like oats, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat	Certain condiments like marinades, sauces, and salad dressings
Certain seasonings and condiments like hummus, pesto, and fresh herbs	Some snack foods like cereal bars, chips, and granola
Gluten free dishes like risotto, grits and salads	Beverages like beer, alcoholic beverages, premade coffee drinks, and drink mixes

Pros and Cons of gluten free diet 

Any diet has pros and cons. The gluten-free diet is no different. Here are the pros and cons of a gluten-free diet. 

Pros	Cons
Reduced inflammation	Constipation
More energy	Vitamins and minerals deficiency [1]PubMed: Nutritional deficiencies in celiac disease
Clearer skin	Chronic fatigue
Weight loss	Expensive than a standard diet

A gluten-free diet is generally considered a healthy diet. However, if you are not used to eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you may experience some side effects. It is vital to increase your fiber intake to avoid these side effects. 

1 Week gluten-free diet plan

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Berries and Greek yogurt parfait, and Sausage and egg muffins (with cornmeal)	Vegetable salad, Chili turkey	Steak with yam and zucchini
Tuesday	Gluten-free pancakes, Skimmed milk	Cornbread, Fruit salad	Balsamic glazed mushrooms and chicken
Wednesday	Peanut butter & banana toast, Berry smoothie	Tuna salad, Bean & beef slow-cooked chili	Pork loin with rosemary, garlic, and basil
Thursday	Tomato and spinach omelet, Chocolate & nut smoothie	Shrimp avocado salad, turkey meatballs & Zucchini noodles	Garlic mashed cauliflower, Steamed rice
Friday	Zucchini parmesan waffles, Fruit smoothie	Creamy egg salad, Mediterranean chicken quinoa	Tuscan butter salmon, Stuffed peppers
Saturday	Banana nut muffins, Hard-boiled egg	BLT salad, Roasted chicken thighs	Pizza-style quinoa casserole, green beans
Sunday	Overnight oats with chia seeds, Almond milk	Quinoa tabouli, Grilled lamb chops	Cilantro lime shrimp, Roasted sweet potatoes

Can you lose weight with gluten free diet plan? 

Besides people with gluten related disorders like wheat allergy, celiac disease, and non celiac gluten-sensitivity diseases, several other people are ditching gluten to lose weight. Recent trends claim that gluten free foods and completely gluten free diets ^[2]National Library of Medicine: The Gluten-Free Diet: Fad or Necessity? can aid in weight loss. However, there is no clear evidence that simply avoiding gluten will lead to weight loss.

But, if an individual chooses to follow a gluten free diet, they may automatically make some healthier food choices to forego any food that contains gluten as an ingredient. This will result in consumption of  lesser carbs.

While there is no specific number as to how much weight you can lose on a gluten-free diet, it depends on various factors such as your diet, physical activity, and medical condition. If you strictly follow a gluten-free diet plan and make healthier food choices, you might lose weight gradually.

Overall, the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people may observe some weight loss when they cut out gluten, while others may not see any change on the scale. Ultimately, you need to figure out what works best for you and your body.

Tips for eating gluten-free when trying to lose weight

The key to losing weight on a gluten free diet plan is to focus on healthy eating. There are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re following a gluten free diet plan for weight loss.

1. Eat whole foods

When going gluten free, eat more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and gluten free grains. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, or flavored alcoholic beverages. Try to cook your own food using gluten free products. If you are new to this, start by pulling out a good gluten free meal plan off the internet and try to follow it. Soon you will be able to reduce store bought unhealthy foods from your diet.

2. Get plenty of fiber

Fiber is an essential nutrient for weight loss. It helps to keep you feeling full and reduce the calories you eat. When you’re eating gluten free foods alone, you have to be sure that you get plenty of fiber by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

3. Get regular exercise

Eating gluten free alone will take you nowhere if your goal is healthy weight loss. Gluten-free dieters should ensure that they get enough regular exercise. Regular exercise is essential for overall health and can help speed up weight loss. 

4. Try gluten alternative foods

Remember, gluten free diet is not only healthy but can also be tasty. There are many alternatives to gluten foods. For instance, you can try corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.

5. Control food portions

Following gluten free diet plan can promote weight loss and improve your health over time. However, one has to keep a check of the portion sizes as well. No matter how strictly you follow a gluten-free diet plan, you will gain weight if you cannot control your food portions. 

A sample gluten-free diet plan for weight loss

Here is a sample gluten-free diet plan for weight loss to help you kick start your diet. This diet plan includes foods that are high in protein and fiber, but is low in calories.

1 Week Gluten Free Diet Plan for Weight Loss

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Banana Oat Pancakes	Kale quinoa salad	Bean & veggie chili
Tuesday	Acai Berry Bowl	Roasted chicken breast	Peanut butter chicken
Wednesday	Casserole Breakfast	Vegetable stir fry with brown rice	Meat ball black bean chili
Thursday	Vegetable Frittata	Chicken salad wrap	Quinoa Salad with grilled halloumi
Friday	Savory Oatmeal	Honey sesame chicken with broccoli	Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake
Saturday	Chia Pudding	Sweet potato, bacon and broccoli muffins	Persian lamb tagine
Sunday	Ham & Cheese Egg Cups	Roasted tandoori cauliflower bowl	Chicken Casserole

Conclusion

In conclusion, adopting a gluten-free diet can be beneficial for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. By eliminating gluten-containing foods and incorporating gluten-free alternatives, one can improve digestive health, manage symptoms, and enhance overall well-being.

Consult a doctor or registered dietitian before choosing a gluten-free diet plan. They can help you create a healthy diet plan that meets your needs.