After the last two days at the grocery store I had to write a post about signs in the store, most specifically, Gluten Free. I know there are always trends, and fad diets and “buzz words”, but I have to laugh at the new one. In years past it is “fat free, sugar free, etc”, but now the craze seems to be “gluten free”. I guess that advertising gluten free is not bad thing since there are people with gluten allergies, but the amount of signs that say gluten free are crazy. Especially when they are listed on items that never, EVER have gluten, like deli meat, butter, milk, etc. Here is the best part of the story. Brandon and I are at King Soopers getting deli meat and we notice all the signs that say gluten free so we decide to see if the lady behind the counter knows anything about what she is selling. Brandon asks her if they have any meat that has gluten. Puzzled, she comes out from behind the counter and over to our side so she can read the signs. There are a few items that don’t have gluten free signs, so she tells us that she is not sure but thinks those would be the best bet. Not wanting to make her feel bad , we say thank you and walk away.
Makes me really wonder if anyone even know what gluten is? Here is the true definition of gluten :
The mixture of proteins, including gliadins and glutelins, found in wheat grains, which are not soluble in water and which give wheat dough its elastic texture. 2. Any of the prolamins found in cereal grains, especially the prolamins in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats, that cause digestive disorders such as celiac disease.
Obviously gluten is a carb and would only be found in food that contains carbs, so why would they need to label deli meat as gluten free? Hopefully you all know that deli meat is a protein source, and if you don’t you better make sure you join us for the first Nutrition seminar.
The answer to the question of why do the put the signs up, is because they sell more products when they do that because most of the world does not know much about nutrition or diet so they jump on the band wagon of whatever is being advertised and think that somehow it must be better for you! I guess the point I am trying to make is that education on nutrition is a HUGE part of the success that you will have in your life, you health and your athletic journey. Don’t forget that the food industry is very commercialized and don’t buy into the advertisements. Or even better if you eat only whole, non processed foods such as lean meat, nuts, vegetables and fruit you won’t have to worry about any of the claims…think about it this way, if it doesn’t come in a box that they can write “catch phrases” on, it is most likely better for you!
