The problem of obesity needs to be addressed. Experts have developed special techniques based on proper nutrition, exclusion of certain foods, physical activity, and medications. Some of them provide stable weight loss without harm to health, others, on the contrary, can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases, new health problems, and pathologies.
A relatively new approach to weight loss is a gluten-free and dairy-free diet. What it is? How safe is it for the body? How does it affect him? Let's look at it in more detail in this article.
What is gluten
Gluten or gluten (from the Latin Gluten - glue) is a special protein found in seeds and cereal plants. There is especially a lot of it in wheat, rye, and barley.
Gluten in its pure form is a dry white powder without taste, color or smell. But when water is added, it turns into a sticky mass, reminiscent of jelly. Due to it, the dough rises during baking and becomes elastic. The more gluten in the flour, the better and more fluffy the baked goods will be.
Gluten is found in many foods. Let's take a closer look at the main gluten-containing products:
Contain gluten | Have “hidden” gluten |
| Hidden gluten is damaged, altered gluten molecules resulting from processing.
|
It is necessary to carefully study the composition of products, but you cannot always trust the “gluten free” label. It all depends on the honesty of the manufacturer.
What is dangerous and why is gluten needed?
Gluten-free nutrition was developed specifically for patients suffering from celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which the natural functions of the intestines and peristalsis are disrupted. This disease occurs in one person in a hundred. With this pathology, gluten is not recognized by the patient’s immune system, and the body devotes all its strength to fighting it. But the problem is that the structure of gluten protein is similar to the cells of the thyroid and pancreatic glands and some tissues. As a result, the body begins to destroy itself. This is the main drawback of a diet rich in gluten for both a sick person and a healthy one.
But it should be understood that such symptoms are characteristic of people with celiac disease or suffering from individual gluten intolerance. In all other cases, the question of whether a special diet is needed or not should be decided individually with a weight loss specialist.
The essence of a gluten-free diet
A special diet based on the introduction of gluten-free products has its own principles, features, and rules:
- Gluten-free products help improve digestion, peristalsis, and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. That is why they are the basis of nutrition. By now, you can find a huge number of such products on the market, there is even gluten-free alcohol;
- Diet dishes are prepared with a minimum amount of oil; it is advisable to use a grill or a special frying pan that does not require the addition of fat;
- Gluten-free food should be the basis of the diet. Based on the list of permitted and prohibited products, you can create a menu yourself or use a ready-made one. You can find recipes for main courses and appetizers on the Internet.
This diet will benefit patients with celiac disease, as well as people with symptoms of allergies or individual intolerances. In all other cases, it can, on the contrary, cause harm. Thoughtless exclusion of foods from the diet can cause a lack of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Therefore, to lose weight, it is better to use a time-tested technique based on proper nutrition, changing eating habits, and psychotherapy. Only this approach will protect the patient from breakdowns, depression, other psycho-emotional and health disorders, and prevent negative consequences.
BGBK Diet Recipes
Even though this diet for autism has a large number of limited foods, since flour and dairy products are prohibited, this does not mean that it is impossible to prepare some interesting dishes. Such a diet, if you have enough imagination, can be very multifaceted, and the diet can be as varied as possible. Below are some recipes for autistic people on the BGBK diet.
Who is a gluten-free diet suitable for?
Special nutrition and a gluten-free diet should be prescribed by a weight loss specialist. It is usually prescribed for the following diseases:
- celiac disease;
- autism;
- hyper-excitability;
- nervous system disorders: schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, etc.;
- skin and dermatological diseases, especially psoriasis, vitiligo;
- frequent migraines;
- autoimmune hepatitis;
- diabetes;
- atherosclerosis;
- obesity.
If the patient does not have any of the diseases listed above, then it is better to use other methods for losing weight. One option is to go to a good weight loss clinic. It uses a special integrated approach that combines the principles of proper nutrition and psychotherapy. Specialists teach the patient to distinguish between “good and bad” foods, to create a menu on their own, to be able to cope with life’s problems, and not to eat stress and fatigue. They are able to accurately determine the reasons for gaining extra pounds and get rid of them. This method is officially recognized by the world scientific community and is considered the most optimal and safe for health.
What are the dangers of the BGB diet?
Before you eliminate gluten and casein from your diet without any compelling reason, you should consult with a specialist. If you simultaneously exclude from the diet any foods that were previously regularly present on the menu, you should take care of an alternative source of macro- and microelements, vitamins, and prebiotics. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking a course of multivitamins.
When starting to eat according to the BGBK diet, it is worth remembering that it is only effective if followed for a long time (usually doctors recommend following the diet for at least 4-6 months). In case of breakdowns and ingestion of gluten or casein into the body, the countdown should be carried out from the moment of the last breakdown.
Many adherents of the BGBK diet make a serious mistake: they include large amounts of starch and refined carbohydrates (sugar, rice, potatoes, corn) in their diet due to their availability in stores. Such a imbalance in nutrition can lead to the growth of pathogenic microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.
The second common mistake is a passion for legumes and products based on them (soy milk, tofu, hummus). Such nutrition in most cases leads to excess gas formation and discomfort.
Gluten-free diet rules
A gluten-free diet will bring certain results, but only if the rules are strictly followed. The main one is a complete rejection of gluten-containing products, the list of which is given above. Nutrition will not be effective if you give yourself indulgences and deviate from the intended plan. And this is a strong psychological pressure, which is almost impossible to cope with on your own, resulting in breakdowns, depression, and stress.
The gluten-free diet has a special menu for the week. It must be compiled by a specialist, taking into account the body’s needs for all essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and include meat products, chicken eggs, vegetables, fruits, and cereals.
List of approved products
A gluten-free diet includes the following foods in your diet:
- fresh and frozen vegetables, berries, some fruits;
- natural meat, poultry, fish;
- natural dairy products without sweeteners, stabilizers, starch;
- natural vinegar: apple, wine, rice;
- homemade sauces without adding flour, starch, gluten, or cereals;
- tea, coffee without flavoring additives;
- legumes;
- natural soy sauce;
- chicken eggs.
The main thing is to carefully study the composition of products purchased in stores. This is especially true for dairy products, canned meat and fish. They most often contain hidden gluten, such as corn or wheat starch.
Menu for the week
The gluten-free diet has a special menu for the week. It is based on a list of permitted products, while it is necessary to reduce or completely eliminate “prohibited” ones. But such nutrition is prescribed for gluten intolerance or an allergic reaction to it. For weight loss, it may be ineffective: it is usually difficult for a person to give up favorite foods without clear reasons, which leads to breakdowns and psycho-emotional disorders. That is why weight loss experts recommend not experimenting with your body, but seeking help from specialists. Leave the menu for the week for patients with celiac disease.
Recommendations for children
Research shows that a gluten-free, lactose-free baby formula is ideal because it is light and does not overload the body or gastrointestinal tract. It will help the baby adapt to new foods and gradually switch to a different diet.
The list of products for children is not much different from that for adults; it contains all the same elements: soups and broths with meat or fish, gluten-free cereals, lean meats, chicken eggs, fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils.
Gluten-free diet for celiac disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract and intestines. There is usually a genetic predisposition to it. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of this disease:
- bloating;
- pain;
- diarrhea;
- foamy stools with an unpleasant odor;
- sudden weight loss or gain;
- the appearance of a rash on the skin;
- headache;
- weakening of the immune system.
A special diet has been developed for such patients. It has the following basic rules and principles:
- Gluten-free food, complete exclusion of prohibited foods.
- The diet should consist of animal proteins, vegetables and fruits, gluten-free cereals, herbs, spices, spices, and nuts.
- This diet requires lifelong adherence. This is the only key to maintaining health and well-being.
- A gluten-free menu for the week should be balanced, taking into account the body’s needs for vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Patients should undergo regular clinical examinations and see a doctor.
Gluten-free dishes are best cooked by steaming, without adding oil. It is also recommended to introduce the principles of fractional nutrition: reduce the size of portions, but increase the number of meals to 5-6 (breakfast, lunch, dinner and several snacks).
Reviews
Judging by the reviews of parents, the BGBU diet for autism is long-term, and therefore should be followed for a long time. All nutrition is focused on preparing dishes from natural products, so it is advisable to buy meat from poultry and animals. The most recommended is split meals in small portions - with the desired number of meals being six. In addition, it is recommended to constantly keep a food diary, where all the food that the patient has consumed, as well as his reaction to it and the tolerance of the ingredients will be recorded. In this way, it will be possible to choose the most optimal diet that a person will tolerate well.
Gluten-free diet menu for a week
Meals on such a diet should be divided, about 5-6 times a day: three main meals and two or three snacks. The standard “plate rule” is also appropriate here: half should be filled with vegetables, the other half with meat and complex carbohydrates. This diet will provide the body with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Gluten-free dishes can be suitable for the whole family; if prepared correctly, they will taste the same as regular ones. The main thing is to use only approved products.
The menu below is an example. It can be adjusted taking into account individual preferences, allergies or individual intolerances.
Monday
- Breakfast: a serving of rice porridge cooked in milk, you can add some fresh berries.
- Lunch: sandwich on gluten-free bread with butter, fresh unflavored tea.
- Lunch: vegetable puree soup with broccoli and low-fat cheese, chicken with a side dish of potatoes, vegetable salad.
- Afternoon snack: fruit salad with gluten-free yoghurt.
- Dinner: wheat porridge with a side dish of nuts or stewed vegetables.
Tuesday
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with honey or sugar, fruit.
- Lunch: rice or any cereal bread, tea.
- Lunch: chicken soup with vegetables, salad.
- Afternoon snack: yogurt with dietary gluten-free cookies.
- Dinner: cottage cheese casserole, supplemented with any fruit.
Wednesday
- Breakfast: omelet or hard-boiled eggs, sandwich with cheese.
- Lunch: a handful of dried fruits, tea.
- Lunch: any soup with fresh herbs, chicken with a side dish of buckwheat.
- Afternoon snack: cheesecakes on rice flour with honey and berries.
- Dinner: chicken baked in foil with vegetables.
Thursday
- Breakfast: special cornflakes (they must be gluten-free) with the addition of milk, kefir or yogurt.
- Lunch: two boiled eggs, tea.
- Lunch: borscht, chicken and vegetable salad.
- Afternoon snack: a portion of berries or a fruit drink made from them, diet cookies.
- Dinner: meatballs, buckwheat porridge.
Friday
- Breakfast: Pancakes made with gluten-free flour and honey.
- Lunch: a glass of kefir or yogurt and cookies.
- Lunch: chicken cutlets with a side dish of rice, vegetable salad.
- Afternoon snack: a portion of any nuts, any fruit.
- Dinner: stewed fish with vegetables, mushrooms.
Saturday
- Breakfast: cottage cheese with honey and fruit.
- Lunch: carrot salad with slices of cheese and a handful of nuts.
- Lunch: vegetable soup with lentils, stewed chicken with vegetable salad.
- Afternoon snack: tea with gluten-free cookies, any fruit.
- Dinner: potato pancakes, but use rice flour instead of wheat flour.
Sunday
- Breakfast: scrambled eggs or omelet with any vegetables added.
- Lunch: a sandwich of gluten-free bread, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese or a piece of seasoned chicken.
- Lunch: fish soup, chicken cutlets with a side dish of rice, any vegetables.
- Afternoon snack: a small portion of nuts (20-30 grams), any fruit
- Dinner: fish stewed with vegetables.
Diet price
The diet is not very expensive if you learn how to bake your own bread and pastries from gluten-free flour. The main food products are fish, beef, chicken, dairy products and vegetables. According to the above menu, the cost of a week's meals can be 1300-1400 rubles.
Buying gluten-free food now is not difficult, if these products are not available in your city, for this there is an online store where you can order everything you need. There is a large selection of domestically produced products (BioFoodLab, Dietika, KhlebProm, Zdorovey, Garnets, Sugaroff, McMaster, D&D) and foreign (Doctor Sher Italy, Galletas Gullon, Spain, Semix, Czech Republic). Their prices differ, but you can choose everything according to your capabilities.
Gluten-free diet for weight loss
If you need to lose weight through this diet, it is also recommended to count the number of calories consumed and burned, the ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates:
- It is necessary to calculate the daily calorie intake using one of the formulas below and subtract 10-15% from it - this is exactly how much is needed for weight loss:
- formula for men: 66 + (13.7 x weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) - (6.8 x age);
- formula for women: 655 + (9.6 x weight in kg) + (1.8 x height in cm) - (4.7 x age);
To calculate, you can use an online calculator, a smartphone application, or special tables.
Changing your diet in a healthy direction without psychotherapy is almost impossible. After all, only something fundamental and stable can be considered a genuine change, and not a random temporary deviation. Well, humanity has not yet come up with anything more reliable than personal principles, beliefs, ideas.