Intolerance? Imbalance? Allergy?

In recent months there has been a certain hype in the media over gluten-free celeb diets, particularly after comments made by Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence that it was a new "eating disorder". There are around 27 million people world-wide who suffer from Coeliac disease and for whom eating products with gluten in can be seriously detrimental to their health. Gluten is typically found in wheat and related grains such as spelt and durum but also in rye, barley and sometimes suffers are sensitive to oats too. 

Yet there is a growing trend in diets which suggest that avoiding wheat and other gluten products is beneficial to health. Many people seem to be finding that they have become intolerant, or have an increased sensitivity, to wheat resulting in bloating or an overfull feeling, which is not so surprising when you have a bran cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner. I know if I indulge in lots of fluffy white bread over the weekend that I can feel lethargic and bloated - that doesn't stop me eating it but I may well choose to avoid it when I have a dress I wish to fit into for a special occasion!