I know gluten-free diets have been "all the rage" lately, but I must stress that it is NOT a weight loss plan!!!! I've seen it all over the TV, internet, and bookstores, being sold as weight loss and not as a lifestyle. Gluten free is for people with gluten intolerance, Celiac's, or other medical conditions! The reason why it's being advertised so much is that 1 in 88 people have Celiac's, but only 2% of them are diagnosed. So please, remember that it is NOT a diet plan like South Beach or Atkins!

Frankly, going gluten-free is so expensive and restrictive, I cannot imagine ANYONE doing it if they didn't have a medical reason!! Blaah

ABBA

I have coeliac's disease and therefore am on a gluten free diet. I have to say that going gluten free has made me lose weight (but I also changed my lifstyle, exercise, etc...) and I don't see it as anything bad if someone decides to go gluten free to try to lose weight. It is certainly not unhealthy and unless you really like special products (which I don't buy) it is not expensive either.
But most people who do not have an intolerance, will not be able to stick to this because it is just too restrictive. I am now used to never eating pasta, or pizza, or bread, or cookies, or granola, or cereal, or toast, or cake, or soy sauce, or the other seven gazillion things I am not allowed, but I know most people, if they didn't get as sick as I do after eating it, would not manage to maintain it long term.

So, while I don't see why you rant about it (who cares??), I think like Atkins actually, a gluten free diet is difficult to maintain long term and therefore not an alternative to a healthy change in lifestyle, that is not as restrictive.
Camy