6 Mistakes You're Making on a Gluten-Free Diet

Find out if you’re making these all-too-common diet mistakes.

6 Mistakes You're Making on a Gluten-Free Diet

These days, gluten-free diets are as popular as ever. With so many people abandoning gluten in the name of digestive health and overall wellness, there is a lot of misinformation floating around that may be causing you more harm than good. Megan Casper, M.S., RDN, owner of Megan Casper Nutrition, and writer for Nourished Bite is here to separate fact from fiction and provide you with tips so you can safely embark on this diet the right way.

More: Quiz: Do You Have a Gluten or Wheat Sensitivity?

You don’t actually need to be gluten-free.

You don\u2019t actually need to be gluten-free.

Many people lose weight on a gluten-free diet because they’re sticking to a diet in general, not because gluten causes weight gain. Instead of going gluten-free to cut out carbohydrates, try cutting down on processed grain products and switching in whole grains, beans, nuts and vegetables. Try quinoa, sorghum, millet, rice, and buckwheat instead of wheat.

Tip: Before going on a gluten-free diet, make sure to be tested for IgA anti-gliadin antibodies to see if you have a gluten sensitivity.

Watch: 5 Hidden Signs You Might Have a Gluten Allergy

Is Your Stomach Cramp Actually Diverticulitis?

It may not just be indigestion.

We've all been there — we get a cramp in our stomach, maybe with some nausea or constipation. It's easy to think it may just be indigestion. But what if it's something more serious like diverticulitis? That's a condition of inflammation or infection in one or more small pouches that can form in your digestive tract. Here's how to tell the difference between the pain and how to know when you should see a doctor.