What is Gluten-Free Anyway?
When you hear “gluten-free,” what do you think? Do you think about axing bread from your diet? Celiac disease has been around for quite some time, but only recently did gluten-free start making headway. Those that suffered from gluten allergies and sensitivities were left with limited options and sometimes felt as though they couldn’t enjoy things that everyone else did – because restaurants, food manufacturers and even meal kit services didn’t quite understand their dietary needs.
Today, gluten-free is popular. Some people are even embracing the gluten-free lifestyle without any medical reason for doing so. This popularity has paved the way for more gluten-free products on the shelves at grocery stores and even meal kit services are offering up gluten-free recipes to try at home. But, before we dive into all of the options for gluten-free living, I think we need to clarify a few things about gluten-free.
Common Misconceptions
The gluten-free diet has become a fad recently. And, like with all fads, there are quite a few misunderstandings about how it all works – and it’s time to set the record straight.
- Gluten-free helps you lose weight. This is one reason people opt for the gluten-free lifestyle. They think that by cutting out wheat, they will instantly see relief on the scale. You would be surprised at just how many calories you can consume even without wheat. Some of the meal kits we received with gluten-free recipes had calories that rivaled gluten-filled recipes (and some surpassed them). You do not lose weight just by eliminating gluten.
- Gluten-free diets will lead to less stomach upset. Yes, but only if you have celiac disease or a real allergy to gluten. If you don’t you will not see much of a difference.
- Gluten-free is healthier. Your body needs whole grains, and there is a great deal of them in whole wheat products. Gluten-free doesn’t automatically equate to healthier, unless you have a balanced diet of gluten-free grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and limited fats/sugars.
The Difference Between Gluten Allergy and Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten allergens (usually Celiac disease), is often confused with gluten sensitivity – which are by no means the same affliction. Those with a sensitivity to gluten are considered to be suffering from non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). This diagnosis is one that has been thrown around quite a bit over the past few years, but the fact remains the same: it is not a gluten-allergen.
When a person has a true gluten allergy, they will have extreme intestinal flare ups just from eating gluten. This includes barley, wheat and rye products. If a person with NCGS were to consume gluten, the effects may not be the same. Instead, they could suffer minor irritation – and in some cases, they don't have a true physical response.
NCGS is not the same as Celiac, but it is estimated to affect six out of every 100 people in the United States. Both have similar symptoms, such as:
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Good News! You Can Get Gluten-Free Meals and Save the Hassle of Finding them at the Store
While gluten-free options are growing in popularity, those suffering from a true gluten allergen as well as sensitivity may find that there just isn’t enough at the store to truly satisfy their cravings. If you live in a smaller town, you may find that your local grocery store has little to no gluten-free friendly options.
Luckily, meal kit delivery services have picked up on the need for gluten-free recipes that are fun, tasty and of course, healthy. But, be careful about which companies you choose. Some say their recipes are “gluten free,” but then in fine print will tell you that their products come into contact with gluten-containing products. Therefore, if you have an allergy, you could have a bad reaction.
For truly gluten-free kits, we recommend checking out: Sun Basket, Green Chef, Plated, Terra’s Kitchen and Gobble.
At Revuezzle, all of the meal kit delivery service reviews you see here on our site have been tested in-house. We ordered them, cooked them, tasted them and even assessed how successful they were (read our blogs to see our results). So, when you buy from one of the companies on our site, you can do so with confidence.
Our Best Meal Kits for Gluten Free gives you much more information on the 5 services listed above – check out their reviews, compare them side-by-side and check out the best offers available.
Want to see how these merchants scored during our review process? Check out our full Meal Kit Delivery Services Reviews!
Plated – Two Servings
$47.80
Terra's Kitchen – $35 Off!
$19.98
