Celebrities Try Gluten-Free Diets - Will It Work For You?

Chicago - Lots of celebrities are trying gluten-free diets, including Victoria Beckham, Zooey Deschanel, Lady Gaga and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Chicago Bulls player Kyle Korver told Men's Health Magazine a gluten-free diet has boosted his performance, and made him healthier.

But will it work for you?

Chef Ryan Hutmacher cooks for athletes, and teaches them how to cook for themselves at home -- meals like quinoa pilaf with roasted butternut squash.

"A lot of the athletes i work with really want to focus on a gluten-free diet, because they want something that is going to be quick energy," he said.

The gluten-free diet was designed for people with Celiac disease, who cannot tolerate gluten, which is a protein commonly found in wheat, rye and barley.

But its not just for people with a gluten intolerance.

"A lot of people find that if they have stomach problems, sinus problems, and they find if they go on a gluten free diet that they are resolved," said Jen Cafferty, author of a gluten-free blog and founder of the Gluten-Free and Allergen Free Expo.

Despite the benefits, she admits, a gluten-free diet isn't for everyone, because they might find it hard to make up the fiber loss.

"I think the very healthy person is eating their fruits and vegetables, but someone that is on a typical American diet -- you remove the wheat and the oats, and your losing a lot of the fiber every day," she said.

If you're curious about a gluten-free diet, Chef Ryan suggests a five day trial period. "Write down how you feel before and after, and then if you do sense a good change, then I would go to get a diagnosis," Chef Ryan said.

And with more and more gluten-free products on the market, you may not have to give up taste.

Want to give it a try? You can find recipes on these websites:

• centeredchef.com
• gfreelife.com
• glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
• allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/gluten-free/
• food.com/recipes/gluten-free