Getting nutrients from a GF diet

[annelb]

I wonder how the nutrients would compare to someone eating a diet of whole foods with no grains or processed GF stuff? I was part of a small diet survey and I was 16mg (recommended 20-30) and all my vitamin levels except for calcium were high. My calcium may be higher now as I eat more dark greens.

If one fills up on the processed stuff, I could see where diet could be inadequate just like the SAD.

Digestion. 2013 Jun 6;87(4):240-246. [Epub ahead of print]
Inadequate Nutrient Intake in Patients with Celiac Disease: Results from a German Dietary Survey.
Martin J, Geisel T, Maresch C, Krieger K, Stein J.
Source

Crohn Colitis Center Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract

Background: Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease (CD) is a lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD). Research has been carried out in various countries into the nutritional adequacy of the GFD in terms of macro- and micronutrients, mostly presenting conflicting results. However, no data for Germany are available to date. Aim : To elucidate the nutritional composition of a GFD and to compare it with non-GFD in a representative German non-CD population. Methods and Patients: A total of 1,000 patients who were members of the German Celiac Society (DZG) were invited to fill out a prospective 7-day food diary and a questionnaire. Data from 88 patients aged 14-80 years were analyzed and compared to the DACH reference values and to data from the German National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NVS II). Results: No significant difference was observed for the intake of energy and macronutrients in male celiac patients compared to the NVS II. Only the fiber intake of male patients was significantly lower than that of the general population. Female patients, however, showed a significantly higher fat intake, but lower carbohydrate consumption. The average daily micronutrient intake of male and female patients, specifically of vitamin B1, B2, B6, folic acid, magnesium and iron, was significantly lower in celiac patients compared to the NVS II. Conclusion : This study reveals inadequate nutrient intake by male and female celiac patients in Germany. Based on our findings, regular (laboratory) monitoring of celiac patients should be recommended.

Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID:
23751356
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Anne

[NancyM]

Well, the only reason people eating grains might not be deficient in vitamins is that they spray them on the processed grains. They might as well be taking a multi-vitamin.

[annelb]

I agree Nancy.
Anne

[GFStephanie]

I suspect that a whole foods diet is much more nutritious than a processed food diet. At least with processed grains, the reason that they have to add vitamins to dehulled grain is that so many vitamins are removed with the hull. With milk, whole milk isn't required to have vitamins added to it like 2% and skim, according to my dairy supplier. It would seem that vitamins get removed along with the fat. I would like to see a study like that too.

[jamietwo]

I agree! I think whole foods is the key, and recognizing which foods your body can't tolerate. For example, in addition to gluten, I can't tolerate soy, corn, and tomatoes ... among others! I eat a whole foods, starch-centered, low-fat, plant based diet, which includes quite a bit of organic long-grain brown rice (and lots of kale and collard greens!). According to chron-o-meter (and how I feel!), I'm getting all the nutrients I need. :)

[NancyM]

Another issue is that certain foods contain a lot of lectins and phytates and make vitamins inaccessible when you eat them. On paper, whole grains look like they have a lot of vitamins, yet you can't even access if you eat them.