To Gluten Or Not To Gluten, That Is The Question...

Photo: Linda Ring

What Is Gluten?

Ok so i'm sure we have all heard lots of mixed thoughts/opinions on gluten right?Let's start with the basics, what exactly is gluten? Gluten is a protein naturally found in cereal grains (wheat, rye, barley and triticale).

What Does Gluten Do?

This protein helps food retain it's shape or elasticity and can be found in common foods/products you wouldn’t normally assume to have gluten.

Should You Avoid Gluten?

The decision to avoid gluten depends on various factors. For individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy, eliminating gluten from their diet is crucial to maintaining their health and well-being.

However, if you do not have any specific medical condition related to gluten, it is generally unnecessary to completely avoid it. Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help determine if a gluten-free diet is appropriate for your specific situation.

Why Are People Avoiding Gluten?

Now, why are people trying to avoid gluten? Apart from those individuals who have been medically diagnosed with celiac disease/are gluten-sensitive, why is everyone trying to cut gluten from their diets?

While I am no medical professional or nutritionist, I can offer insight on my personal journey with gluten and what i've experienced since becoming relatively "gluten free". Keep reading to see what happened when I removed gluten from my diet.

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Breaking Down My Gluten-Free Journey

I had gone the majority of my life not caring about gluten, it wasn't until I reached my mid to early twenties that I started exploring the idea of becoming gluten-free. Having always struggled with acne as a teen (cystic acne, ugh I know) I tried pretty much EVERY TOPICAL TREATMENT you can think of.

You name it, i've probably tried it. From different cleansers, prescribed medications, monthly facials, home remedies, magical elixirs, and yes.... even Accutane. None of these seemed to make a significant let alone sustainable difference to my acne which was extremely frustrating.

Going Gluten-Free

One glorious appointment, my dermatologist suggested I take a different approach to clear my skin. She explained that real changes to healthy skin starts from the inside out and isn't always found in some prepackaged medication or bottled miracle cream.

Hear me out, the idea is if you take care of your body (eat right, workout, drink water etc) then your body will start to take care of itself, a healthy inside will being to reflect on the outside ( who would have thought right?).

She then handed me a card outlining the foods I should avoid in order to naturally clear my acne. One of the main ingredients I was told to stay away from was you guessed it, gluten.

The Results

After the first month of being completely gluten-free my acne had immensely improved (I had not introduced any new topical product to my skincare routine). After two months of being gluten-free my acne was nearly 100% gone, obviously with the occasional hormonal breakout every now and then but I was honestly amazed.

My Overall Thoughts

Having been gluten-free for around two years now, I found a way to make this into a sustainable lifestyle choice. I genuinely feel better and see improvements in my skin when I stay away from gluten. However, I also love eating out with friends and it's not always easy to find gluten free options at restaurants.

That being said, I found a healthy middle ground. When i'm home, I follow a gluten free diet (there are a-lot of tasty gluten free products/substitutes out there) BUT, I have no dietary restrictions when I eat out!

For me, this is a healthy balance where I can still enjoy tasty dishes and try new restaurants while making sure I keep my skin clear and in check. I want to clarify that is this is fully based on my personal experience. However, If you struggle with acne and topical treatments or facials just aren't working for you, I would recommend giving this a go!

Beauty And Lifestyle Tips

For more beauty and lifestyle tips and tricks, head on over to my blog " 3 Must Know Anti-Wrinkle Tips".