What’s the deal with gluten and why have all things gluten-free blown up? Meghan Donnelly, lead dietitian for the Skinny60® health programs and director of health communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation does a deep-dive into what gluten is and how it impacts our health.  

We get into why gluten is difficult to digest, and how a gluten-free diet has become a recommended strategy for many digestive and autoimmune conditions.  

Meghan lays out the surprising statistics that make clear how many people can improve their quality of life by avoiding gluten or reducing it in their diets. Celiac disease affects 1% of people; about 10% present with non-celiac gluten sensitivity; 10 to 15% suffer from IBS; over 12% develop thyroid disease. And, gluten is a known trigger food for menopause symptoms.  

She adds that many of the conditions in which gluten plays a known or suspected role have multiple and varied symptoms, so they can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, sometimes for decades. In addition, gluten is not always the culprit. Many digestive issues are traced to FODMAPs—fermentable carbohydrates found in many foods. 

Meghan notes that gluten-free isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and emphasizes the bio-individual nature of health and nutrition. Understanding the cause of your discomfort and getting an accurate diagnosis is essential for formulating an effective treatment. 

Choosing to reduce gluten or to go gluten-free is a proactive strategy for wellbeing and vitality. As gluten is not an essential nutrient and there is no enzyme to digest it, a gluten-free diet can be a healthy way of eating if we take in balanced nutrition. 

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. 
• Many foods contain gluten beyond bread, pasta, and grains. 
• Gluten is a complex protein our bodies have no enzyme to digest.  
• There are over 200 symptoms of celiac disease, and many go beyond the gut. 
• Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity has no biomarker. Diagnosis is symptom-based. 
• Going gluten-free is an effective strategy for managing autoimmune and thyroid conditions. 
• Going gluten-free is a top intervention practitioners recommend for IBS. 
• Gluten is a common trigger food for menopause symptoms.  
• A gluten-free diet can be healthy with balanced nutrition.  

ABOUT MEGHAN DONNELLY MS, RDN, CDN    

Meghan Donnelly, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal nutrition, and is Director Of Health Communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation.   

Her experience spans clinical practice, nutrition counseling, medical nonprofits, and the food industry.  

In her private practice at Nutmeg Nutrition, Meghan helps her clients establish a balanced and joyful relationship with food, particularly when managing digestive disorders (IBS and SIBO), food intolerances, gluten-related conditions (celiac disease), and disordered eating.   

She also provides nutrition counseling for heart health, kidney disease, weight management, and food intolerances. Monash University certified, she guides clients on Low-FODMAP diets.   

As lead dietitian for Skinny60®, Meghan provides nutrition education and support for participants in the 60-Day Reset.  

CONNECT WITH MEGHAN MS, RDN, CDN  

Website: https://www.nutmegnutrition.org/  

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

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