For those few people who actually suffer from celiac disease, you have my deepest sympathies, because bread is one of the most awesome foodstuffs humanity has ever created, and it was created many, many millennia ago.
For those whose basis for avoiding gluten has about the same scientific basis as worrying about an imbalance of humors … well, you have my sympathy, too, but please don't crowd my glutenous foods off the menu for a fear that has little to no scientific foundation.
How the gluten-free movement is ruining our relationship with food
Amid the rise of the fall out of gluten, there is a growing sense, largely from those who are actually studying the physiological effects of the protein, that people are being a little ridiculous.
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You know there is an upside to this gluten fear mongering. The folks with celiac disease now have tons of options. I've read one comment where someone said they were somewhat thankful as they can now eat out at many restaurants.
So in the end I'm torn.
+Jon Weber I don't begrudge the celiac sufferers at all their increased access to dishes at restaurants.
That said, the breadth of gluten-free offerings at some places indicates other menu items being pushed off.
In some ways, I suppose, it's a bit like vegetarian menu items. There are people who are vegetarian on principle, and I respect that. There are people who are vegetarian based on dietary science that has varying degrees of foundation, and I don't necessarily resent that.
Even so, it feels like a lot of gluten-free offerings on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus (and cooking around it for group dinners) is, if not based on good evidence, pandering to pseudo-science in a way we can ill afford as a society.
Oh its totally pandering to pseudo-science. No need to beat around the bush.