You hear about a lot of people going gluten-free for weight loss or sensitive stomachs but is this nutritional element really the enemy? GB’s registered dietitian Dr. Susan Mitchell breaks down the sound science and shares tips for staying healthy.

For some people with a diagnosed allergy or celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is not a choice: it’s a necessity. With those conditions, gluten can cause your body to turn on itself, actually becoming a poison. That’s a very serious situation.

But recently, many people who don’t have an allergy are choosing to avoid gluten, which is found in things like bread, pasta and other products that may contain grains (gluten-free is more than just avoiding wheat, though). They think it may help them lose weight, but in most cases, Dr. Mitchell says you should consult with a doctor or nutritionist before making such a drastic change.

For more on what gluten is, where it’s found, how you can find out if you have a serious disease like celiac and more, listen to this episode of Straight Talk About Eating Smart with Dr. Susan Mitchell.

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For more tips, recipes, links to Dr. Mitchell’s social networks and blog, visit http://susanmitchell.org/.