According to new research, approximately 4.3 million Canadians (12.3 per cent) have gone gluten-free, or have reduced gluten in their diets.
Of those making the switch, the top reasons are gluten intolerance and supporting a family member.
The Canadian Attitudes to Gluten-Free Study, commissioned by Udi’s Healthy Foods, also reveals that:
· Breaking up with bread is hard to do – When it comes to sticking to a gluten-free diet, bread is the most commonly reported challenge. In fact, nearly one in four Canadians who are gluten-free or gluten-reduced say they cheat with bread.
· Going gluten-free puts a spring in your step – The vast majority (81 per cent) who reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets report feeling happier and more energetic. They also report improved gastrointestinal health, healthier weight, improved activity levels and better mood.
· Labels can be a good thing – More than half (63 per cent) of Canadians don’t feel confident identifying products that contain gluten and only one-third of gluten-free and reduced Canadians find it easy to eat out at restaurants.
· Gluten-free Canadians think before they eat – More than 75 per cent of Canadians following a gluten-free or reduced diet identify themselves as eating a balanced diet (84 per cent), in comparison with those who do not follow a reduced-gluten diet (64 per cent).
· It’s a tax write-off?! – Only 6 per cent of Canadians are aware that there’s a federal tax credit for those requiring a gluten-free diet.
About Andrea Holwegner, BSc, RD
Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc., Calgary
Andrea Holwegner, the ‘Chocoholic Nutritionist’, is founder and president of Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc. She manages a team of dietitians at her practice in Calgary, is a media expert for the Dietitians of Canada, and is a professional speaker.
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