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    Will Following a Gluten-Free Diet Enhance My Performance?

    Will Following a Gluten-Free Diet Enhance My Performance?

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    ​To date, scientific data does not support the gluten-free diet as advantageous to athletic performance in the person without celiac disease; support for this diet for athletes is testimonial, not evidence-based. Some athletes have reported less GI discomfort and fatigue when following the gluten-free diet. It is possible to meet the demands of training and competing while following a gluten-free diet, but it requires attention to food choices. Care must be taken to consume adequate carbohydrates and calories; additionally, many gluten-free foods are not fortified with B vitamins and iron, and those not made with whole grains may be lower in fiber. What the gluten-free diet may do is make the athlete more aware of what works to combat digestive issues, and allow greater inclusion of less-processed, whole foods in the diet. Keep in mind that just because a food is gluten-free does not mean it is automatically healthy – a gluten-free donut is still high in calories and low in nutrients!