Is gluten-free a fad?

The Today Show on NBC had a segment about gluten-free foods this morning.

It started by talking about the diet as a fad, showing stock footage of heavy people and their attempts to lose weight. Then, it went on to interview a couple who ate gluten-free hot dogs offered at Citi Field in New York City. The man claimed to be eating gluten-free only because the woman did. The woman never gave a clear answer for her food choice, making them both seem dopey.

Only two-thirds into the segment did the reporter mention health issues associated with gluten. The words "celiac disease" were uttered only once and the condition was never really explained. Symptoms were described as gastrointestinal discomfort and a rash. Serious health complications, such as malnutrition, colon cancer and infertility, were not the focus and the risk of death wasn't even mentioned.

The report indicated that only "one percent" of Americans have health issues with gluten, which is simply untrue. One in 133 have suffer from celiac disease alone, but this number doesn't take into account the many people who live with wheat allergies and gluten intolerance.

This report really makes my blood boil. Gluten-free foods were designed for people with celiac disease and  intolerance. I love that "gluten-free" has become more popular in mainstream society, but I wish public information would focus more on its true purpose. When the diet is cheapened to "fad" status, it takes away the idea of it as a necessity and removes focus from medical symptoms and research.

What do you think?