After experimenting with gluten-free food for the last two months, I’m hesitant to continue the diet; I’m disappointed in the diet’s health impact. 

As far as my health is concerned, I don’t think gluten-free foods have made much of an difference. I’ve stopped regularly visiting my nutritionist and now just gauge my health on a ‘gut-feeling,’ literally. Neither my energy level nor my weight have changed significantly, and my strength hasn’t dropped. Although I didn’t predict that eating gluten-free foods would make miracles, I certainly did expect a noticeable change.

Many gluten-free foods cost three to four times as much as regular food. It’s become increasingly difficult to spend extra money on gluten-free foods when I can’t notice any major differences — other than, of course, a much lighter wallet to carry. 

A gluten-free diet also makes eating out at restaurants challenging and complicates family dinners. 

Like with any diet, some foods go easier on the taste buds than others. There are many foods that’ve always been gluten-free, like Utz potato chips, which make the process a bit easier. 

Outside of allergies and conditions that require this diet, I wouldn’t recommend a 100 percent gluten-free diet to anyone who can eat gluten foods. Although eating gluten-free has taught me to pay more attention to food labels and ingredients, it’s simply not worth the effort. Going gluten-free requires a significant daily commitment for a minimal benefit.