A recent study has found that most food items for kids labeled as gluten-free in stores contain little to no nutritional value and are loaded with sugar. “The problem is NOT the gluten-free label per se, it is the processed foods aimed at children,” said study author Charlene Elliott. “Some parents opt for a gluten-free diet as they believe it will be healthier for their children,” Elliott said. “But when you look at the nutritional profile of packaged gluten-free foods, this is not the case," she continued.
“There are many very nutrient dense, whole, gluten-free grains such as amaranth, millet, quinoa, buckwheat,” said Marion Groetch, a nutrition and food allergy expert. “But most gluten-free products are made from rice, corn or potato starch and therefore are even less nutritious than processed products containing wheat,” Groetch added. "These products hence are lower in fiber, micronutrients, and typically higher in fat and sugar.”
“In my view, you need to look at the overall diet to get a good picture of the healthiness of the child’s diet,” said Steve Taylor, a food allergy researcher. “Grocery store shelves are now overflowing with gluten-free foods that are just as junky as their gluten containing counterparts,” he continued. "Parents should focus on more whole, home made and home cooked foods whether gluten-free or not,” he concluded.
