Popular donut chain,Dunkin Donuts announced that they should offer two gluten free pastries to their menu including cinnamon sugar doughnuts and blueberry muffins by the end of next year.
"At Dunkin' Donuts, we recognize the importance of providing our guests with many options, including alternative choices for people with food and dietary restrictions," said Michelle King, spokeswoman for Dunkin' Brands to The Los Angeles Times. "We understand that sensitivities to food ingredients such as gluten are a serious concern for certain guests."
People who have celiac disease have to avoid gluten because it attacks the small intestine. However, many non gluten allergic people have started to try gluten free foods because of the belief that it is fewer calories.
"Those with celiac disease can't eat gluten, the protein in wheat, rye and barley. The autoimmune disorder affects about one out of every 133 Americans, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center's website," reported Yahoo News.
Julie Kennel, program director and dietician for the Education and Human Ecology and College of Nursing Department of Human Sciences at Ohio State University said to The LA Times, "The diet seems to be the latest in a long line of well-marketed dieting trends that eventually fade in popularity."
Boston.com however reported that the gluten free cinnamon sugar doughnut will be 320 calories which is more than the current 260 calorie regular glazed donut. The gluten free blueberry muffin will be 400 calories, which is less than its current non-gluten offering.
The gluten free pastries will be packaged separately to avoid contamination from other non gluten products.
Nancy Childs, a food marketing professor at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia said to Bloomberg, "The number of people who think they benefit from going gluten-free is growing. People feel that they are choosing a healthier alternative when they buy gluten-free fare."
According to The Daily Mail, U.S. sales of gluten free items were at $19.7 billion.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
