As the nation is getting back to the regular routine gradually after fighting down the deadly virus for two whole years, there are several businesses that run on the office-goers are getting new leases of life. One such is the tiffin service business. Though tiffin service has been opted by many people even in the lockdown period before people are working still but from home, yet many were sceptical about getting food from out of home when the contagious virus was marching with all its glory, infecting people.
With a heap of gratitude that we came out healthy and sound into the other side, let’s concentrate on the regular routine but this time with greater emphasis on health and immunity system.
Tiffin services always strive to provide healthy meals to their customers. They often devise customized meal plans to help their clients maintain their health. Ketto diet, gluten-free diet, vegan diet, low-fat diet, etc.
In this, we will look at the pros and cons of gluten-free diets.
PROS OF GLUTEN -FREE DIET
A gluten-free diet has many benefits, especially for someone with Celiac Disease.
- May Relieves Digestive Symptoms: Most people try to eat a gluten-free diet to treat digestive problems. These include bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, gas, fatigue and many other symptoms. Studies have shown that following a gluten-free diet can help ease digestive symptoms for people with Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.
- Can Reduce Chronic Inflammation: People with Celiac Disease tend to have chronic inflammation. A gluten-free diet helps in reducing inflammation in a natural process that helps the body treat and heal infections. Studies have shown that a gluten-free diet can reduce markers of inflammation like antibody levels. It can also help treat gut damage caused by gluten-related inflammation in those with Celiac Disease.
- May Boost Energy: People with Celiac Disease often feel tired, sluggish or experience “brain fog.” These symptoms may be caused by nutrient deficiencies because of the damage to the gut. For example, an iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, which is common in Celiac Disease. Switching to a gluten-free diet may help boost your energy levels and stop you from feeling tired and sluggish.
- Can Help You Lose Weight: It’s not unusual to lose weight when one starts following a gluten-free diet. This is because it eliminates many junk foods that add unwanted calories to the diet. These foods are often replaced by fruit, veggies and lean proteins. However, it’s important to avoid processed “gluten-free” food like cakes, pastries and snacks, as they can quickly add a lot of calories to your diet. Focus on eating plenty of whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, veggies and lean proteins.
CONS OF GLUTEN-FREE DIET
Despite having a variety of health benefits, a gluten-free diet can have some downsides too.
Here are a few negative effects of a gluten-free diet:
- Risk of a Nutritional Deficiency: Studies have found that following a gluten-free diet may not help treat nutritional deficiencies. This is because people on a gluten-free diet often seem to choose more processed foods labelled as “gluten-free” over nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. Moreover, many gluten-free versions of food are not fortified with B vitamins, such as folate.
- Constipation: Constipation is a common side-effect for people following a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diets eliminate many popular sources of fibres like bread, bran and other wheat-based products. Eating a fibre-rich diet may help promote healthy bowel movements. If you experience constipation on a gluten-free diet, try to eat more fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, beans, lentils, Brussels sprouts and berries.
- Cost: Following a gluten-free diet can be really difficult on a tight budget. Research shows that gluten-free foods are found to be roughly two and a half times more expensive than their regular counterparts. This is because gluten-free foods cost manufacturers more money to make. For example, gluten-free foods must pass stricter testing and avoid being contaminated. If you’re on a tight budget, try to eat more whole, single-ingredient foods, as they cost less.
- Can Make Socializing Difficult: Many social situations revolve around food. This can make it really difficult to socialize if you’re following a gluten-free diet. While many restaurants have gluten-free options, there is still a risk of the food being contaminated with traces of gluten.
The purpose of this article is to make the tiffin service providers aware of certain pros and cons of the dietary plans if they are planning to opt for one in their menu. Also, they can better guide their customers if this kind of diet is suitable for them or not.
Are you looking to add a new menu for your tiffin service business? What menu you are looking into, share with us in the comments.