Of course, if you have celiac disease or a sensitivity, you should. Yet, don't give up gluten if you don't have to. "The worst advice I've ever heard a patient receive is to go gluten-free just because, as a catchall answer for good health. A clinician should be giving tailored counsel to patients," said Maggie Moon, MS, RD, and author of The MIND Diet, to POPSUGAR.
Gluten is a protein in some very healthy whole grains, such as whole wheat, barley, rye, farro, bulgur, and spelt, which contribute B vitamins for energy metabolism, fiber for fullness, and magnesium for bone health, said Moon. "If there is no medical reason to avoid gluten, the unfounded advice to eliminate it makes it that much harder to plan a diet that meets nutritional needs because it takes away choices. In general, the better bet is to add healthy foods, not take whole food groups away," she said.