Gluten-free products can be considerably more expensive than their gluten counterparts -- and they're not lower in calories.

Gluten-free products are everywhere, but many people who buy them are probably wasting their money, according to Italian research released Monday.

The worldwide market for gluten-free products is nearly $2.5 billion, spurred in part by the Internet, alternative medicine and questionable scientists with ties to manufacturers, coauthor Dr. Roberto Corazza of the University of Pavia told msnbc.com in an email.

Gluten is a component of the protein mixture in wheat, rye and barley flour. For people with the autoimmune condition celiac disease, foods that contain gluten trigger the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. The only treatment is a lifelong, gluten-free diet. Untreated, celiac disease raises the risk of life-threatening conditions such as digestive tract cancers. About 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Far more people think they have what has come to be called “nonceliac gluten sensitivity,” Corazza says. Sufferers, in whom celiac disease has been ruled out, complain of a variety of symptoms after consuming gluten, including bloating, abdominal discomfort, flatulence and headache. The problem, Corazza and Dr. Antonio Di Sabatino write in an opinion piece in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is that no one is quite sure what gluten sensitivity is.

“Considerable debate about nonceliac gluten sensitivity has recently surfaced on the Internet, with a sharp increase in forums, patients or patient groups, manufacturers, and physicians advocating a gluten-free diet,” the two write. “Claims seem to increase daily, with no adequate scientific support to back them up.”

Gluten-free diets have become “trendy, fashionable,” says Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research in Baltimore, who coauthored an article about gluten-related disorders Feb. 14 in BioMed Central. “I would say the occasional consumers are the ones who have no reason to be on a gluten-free diet.”

Gluten-free products can be several times more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts. Part of the gluten-free fad comes from the misperception that the foods are healthier or more diet-friendly. The main health concern is that people cut out all gluten as a way to self-diagnose a sensitivity or celiac disease. But, Corazza notes, it’s impossible to diagnose celiac disease in someone who’s gone gluten-free before being evaluated.

When he sees patients who complain of symptoms after eating bread or pasta, Fasano says, he’ll order a blood test to check for biomarkers of celiac disease and a skin test for the far less common wheat allergy. If necessary, he’ll then perform an endoscopy to look for damage in their digestive tract characteristic of celiac disease.  

He was skeptical when he first started hearing about nonceliac gluten sensitivity a few years ago, Fasano says, but he since has come to realize that some sufferers are “severely impaired.” But because doctors aren’t exactly sure what the condition is, it’s difficult to diagnose.

The best-known diagnostic method, Fasano and Corazza say, is a double-blind oral “challenge.” Patients are given drinks with and without gluten and then asked how they feel. Neither the patient nor the doctor knows which is which at the time of the testing. Such tests are expensive and time-consuming, though, Corazza says.

“The bottom line for gluten sensitivity,” Fasano says, “is there are very little facts and a lot of fantasy.”

Related stories:

Gourmet gifts for your gluten-free friends and family

As part of Joy's 25,000 pound Weight-loss Challenge, TODAY viewers were invited to submit short essays on how their lives had been transformed while following the monthlong diet plan. Two participants would win a trip to New York City and a makeover, courtesy of TODAY. When selected, Penny Matthews told TODAY show producers she had been afraid to step on the scale before beginning the weight-loss challenge, but "now I'm not scared."

Read her essay:

By Penny Matthews

I started accounting for my weight with the first [Weight-loss Challenge] segment. I had reached 220 pounds, a gain of 90 pounds over two years. I got on the scale and decided that I was going to weight myself every Tuesday and keep a written diary.

My weight gain started in September of 2010. That is when my sister passed away from cancer. I was just beginning my second semester towards becoming an RN. I had just found out I had made the Dean’s list the day she died. I withdrew from school until I was under better emotional control. After that, the weight started to pile on.

The following May, my 10-year-old dog Cisco was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have a leg amputation. He was given 4 months to live.

Traumatically, later that month I had a fall off a horse. It resulted in breaking my back and consequently killing the nerves to my bladder. I was almost virtually bed bound, having to learn to walk again. This only compounded my weight gain.

In August 2011 Cisco had to be put to sleep. Then I had surgeries to implant an Interstim that would allow me to void.

Things started to improve and I was able to slowly start riding again in December 2011. I was released from physical therapy the same week that Joy's weight-loss challenge started and saw it as a good time to start working on my wellness plan and taking accountability for my eating habits. I lost 16 pounds during the month. Seeing the weekly weight loss was like having 4 mini-goals met during the month. I now have my incentive back. I truly owe it to the first day's tip of keeping a weight-loss diary.

It's not too late! Follow Joy's 25,000 pound Weight-loss Challenge

FOLLOW-UP EMAIL:

Because Tuesday is my Weight Day, to be posted on the calendar, I was amazed that I had lost three more pounds as of February 7th. I would say that now having lost a total of 19 pounds means that it has been going great since the 31st and that I have maintained a steady weight loss from many of the tips from Joy.

I now continue to keep a log and record on my calendar, and have, as well, greatly reduced my Starbucks drinks. I go to Drayers where I had my [physical therapy] because once I was released, they set up a personalized workout for my needs.

Then, there is the long walk to get the horse, so I think I am definitely getting 30 minutes of walking every day. I then added in Greek yogurt protein shakes for breakfast and added veggies to the dinner table.

I also try at all times to keep trigger foods out of the house and we also always add spice to our meals.

To not make my back hurt, I use commercial breaks to clean the house! Finally the most important tip Joy had was to forgive my splurge and just shake it off and get back on track.

This essay has been edited for clarity

Although my “25,000 Pound Weight-Loss Challenge” officially ends today, your personal journey may be just beginning.

As you move forward, having a solid support network in place will be critical to staying the course.  Your system could include a supportive family, co-workers or friends you can “buddy up” with at the gym, or a therapist who helps you probe your relationship with food. Also consider joining a weight loss community, either in-person or online. You can dramatically increase your chances of success by surrounding yourself with encouraging individuals who help you troubleshoot challenges, celebrate milestones, reinforce good habits, and stay motivated for the long haul. Best of luck as you continue losing and working towards your goal!

To enhance your weight-loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of the weight-loss challenge? Did you reach your personal goal? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page.

Read yesterday's tip from Joy:
Forgive your slip-ups

It's the last day of Joy's 25,000 pound Weight-loss Challenge! We're so close but we need your help to make it over the finish line.

Make sure you record your progress as soon as possible -- every pound brings us closer to the 25,000 goal.  Click the link to go to the form where you can submit your total weight loss this month. Today's your last chance!

Need incentive? If we make the goal -- all 25,000 pounds of it -- by the end of the day, Joy has pledged to jump-rope through the entire hour of Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda! Click here to let us know how many pounds you've lost!

 Read Joy's special tip of the day: Forgive your slip-ups

Prevention

Even if you’ve never had a McNugget, you could be guilty of eating a high sodium diet.

Imagine eating nothing but salt-filled McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. For 15 years. That’s exactly what Stacey Irvine, a 17-year-old factory worker from England did—and it just may kill her. But before you write this story off as just plain crazy, do you know how much salt you’re taking in? And what it’s doing to your health?

As reported by the Daily Mail, when Stacey Irvine’s mother first took her to a McDonald’s restaurant 15 years ago and bought her some Chicken McNuggets, it was love at first bite. Since then, the British teen has eaten almost nothing but Chicken McNuggets. A diet like this not only lacks vital nutrients, it also serves up a dangerous amount of salt. A 10-piece order of Chicken McNuggets packs in 900 milligrams (mg) of sodium, more than half the sodium you should have in a single day.

A McDonald's Chicken McNuggets every now and then won't hurt you. But a 10-piece order packs in more than half the sodium you should have in a single day.

Irvine recently collapsed at work, and was rushed to the hospital struggling to breathe. She’s home now, but the amount of salt she’s been eating means she’ll need to clean up her diet faster than a McDonald’s employee turns around an order at the drive thru window.  All that salt can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly as she ages.

13 ways to lower blood pressure naturally

“The food industry creates a preference for very salty foods with the high salt content of their products, then creates products to satisfy that preference, and it becomes a feedback loop,” says David Katz, MD, founding director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center.

While most people aren’t surprised to hear that a high-sodium diet raises blood pressure, most Americans would be downright shocked if they knew how much salt they really eat. The US government recommends that adults should consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day, about two-thirds of a teaspoon. The average American really takes in 3,436 mg a day—more than double the recommendation.

5 ditch-the-salt dinners

Before you reassure yourself that you’re fine—after all, you banned the salt shaker from your table long ago—it turns out the biggest culprits are processed and packaged foods. "The vast majority of salt, 80% or more, is already in processed and pre-prepared foods," says Marion Nestle, PhD, professor of nutrition at New York University.

Here’s just how fast the salt can add up on a typical day:

Breakfast: 1 whole grain bagel (490 mg) with 2 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese (211 mg) and 6 oz yogurt (95 mg)

Snack: 2 Tbsp peanut butter (147 mg) on 6 wheat crackers (194 mg)

Lunch: Sandwich with 2 slices low-salt turkey (432 mg), 1 slice American cheese (266 mg), and 2 tsp mustard (114 mg) in a flour tortilla (490 mg) with 1 dill pickle spear (306 mg) and 1c vegetable soup (960 mg)

Snack: 1 wheat pita (340 mg) with 2 Tbsp hummus (114 mg)

Dinner: ½ c pasta (4 mg) with ½ c jarred tomato sauce (480 mg) and 2 meatballs (232 mg), 1 slice garlic bread (400 mg), and salad with reduced fat ranch dressing (336 mg)

Dessert: Homemade apple crisp (495 mg) with ½ c vanilla ice cream (53 mg) and 2 Tbsp caramel sauce (60 mg)

The grand total: 6,219 mg, more than quadruple the daily recommended amount.

So even if you’ve never touched a McNugget, you can still quickly eat more sodium than you should. And all that salt doesn’t only hurt your heart and your waistline.  An emerging body of research has also linked excessive sodium intake to cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, dementia, sleep apnea, and kidney disease.

25 ridiculously healthy foods

Scary stuff. But what’s even scarier is that it’s not easy to kick the salt habit: Chances are, you’re addicted to the stuff. Your body only needs about 500 mg of sodium a day to maintain the right balance of fluids, transmit nerve impulses, and move your muscles. When you eat far more than that—as most of us clearly do—your brain chemistry is altered. Research shows that salt actually triggers the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which makes salty foods as addictive as nicotine and alcohol.

And just like with any addiction, eating salty foods makes your body crave more. In other words, the more Chicken McNuggets you have, the more you crave them. No matter what the cost.

Do you have a weakness for salty foods? How do you manage your daily sodium? Share with us on Facebook

By Dave Zinczenko
Men's Health

Whether it’s the game, the commercials, the snacks, or some combination of all three, everyone has a reason to tune in for the Super Bowl. The downside? All of those traditional football foods can leave you looking like the last-pick linebacker in the draft. And with the average airtime for a football game being 185 minutes—just over three hours—there’s plenty of time to commit food-related fumbles. Here’s your defensive lineup, courtesy of "Eat This, Not That! 2012."

NOT THAT:
Lay’s Natural Classic Potato Chips, Sea Salted (3 oz, 51 chips)
450 calories
27 g fat (3 g saturated)
540 mg sodium
+
Lay’s French Onion Dip (6 Tbsp)
180 calories
15 g fat (0 g saturated)
690 mg sodium

Total:
630 calories
42 g fat (3 g saturated)
1,230 mg sodium

FAT EQUIVALENT: 9 Twinkies!

When Courtyard Hotel (an official Super Bowl sponsor) commissioned a survey of America’s favorite Super Bowl snacks, chips and dip took first place. With all that collective dunking at stake, you’d best have a strong play prepped and ready. Natural Lay’s wholesome packaging is deceptive—each serving only cuts a single gram of fat and a mere 10 calories from regular Lay’s, and the first listed ingredient in this dip (other than water) is oil! Instead, go with Tostitos Scoops!, which are the perfect vehicle for spicy, metabolism-stoking salsa.

EAT THIS INSTEAD!
Baked! Tostitos Scoops (3 oz, 42 chips)
360 calories
9 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
420 mg sodium
+
Tostitos Restaurant Style Salsa (6 Tbsp)
45 calories
0 g fat (0 g saturated)
630 mg sodium

Total:
405 calories
9 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
1,050 mg sodium“CHIP”-WRECKED: Chips have the potential to be a solid snack, but choose wisely—The Worst Chips and Dips will leave you drowning in calories and fat.

NOT THAT:
Campbell’s Chunky New England Clam Chowder (2 cups/1 can)
420 calories
20 g fat (3 g saturated)
1,780 mg sodium

CALORIE EQUIVALENT: More than 2 cups of Extra Creamy Cool Whip—the chowder is more calorie-dense by volume!

Here we have the official soup showdown of the Super Bowl, and if the quality of the chowder is any indication of the outcome of the game, then it looks like the Giants are going to win—again. New England clam chowder is cream based, whereas the Giants’ home-field chowder—Manhattan clam chowder—is made from a tomato-based broth. As such, New England clam chowder is loaded with fat, and Manhattan clam chowder is loaded with antioxidants.

EAT THIS INSTEAD!
Campbell’s Chunky Manhattan Clam Chowder (2 cups/1 can)
260 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)
1,600 mg sodium

CALORIC CANS: There are supposed to be two servings of soup in every can, but most of us just heat ‘n eat the whole thing—check out 9 Other Serving Size Rip-offs that pack on the pounds.

NOT THAT:
Sam Adams Imperial Stout (3 beers, 36 oz)
924 calories
9.2% ABV

CALORIE EQUIVALENT: More than 6 cans of Coke

With the Patriots in the Super Bowl, you can be sure someone’s bringing Sam Adams to the party. It’s no stretch to assume you’ll sip your way through three beers over the course of the game, but if you choose blindly, you might end up wiping out nearly half your day’s calories in the process. Beer is especially dangerous, because unlike food packagers, brewers aren’t required to list calories on their labels. One tip-off here is the word “imperial.” That means that this beer is heavier than your average brew. So skip the stout and go with Sam Adams Light—It’s not the lowest-calorie light option on the market, but it maintains a complexity and fullness of flavor that most light beers lack, and in this case, it saves you an astonishing 564 calories.

DRINK THIS INSTEAD!
Sam Adams Light (3 beers, 36 oz)
357 calories
4.3% ABV

LEAN LIBATIONS: Not all mixed drinks are saccharine, calorie-packed concoctions—sip one of The World’s 4 Healthiest Cocktails instead.

NOT THAT:
Applebee’s Boneless Wings, Honey BBQ
1,250 calories
55 g fat (11 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
3,060 mg sodium

SODIUM EQUIVALENT: 13 orders of Taco Bell Cheesy Nachos

Thanks to a deluge of sugary sauce and thick spackle of breading, these wings contain as many carbs as 10 slices of sandwich bread! They also manage to contain more than a day’s worth of sodium per order, and roughly 100 calories per nugget! Always opt for bone-in wings instead—they’re unquestionably less caloric, and still pack a solid punch of protein.

EAT THIS INSTEAD!
Applebee’s Classic Wings, Southern BBQ
660 calories
35 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,060 mg sodium

FELONIOUS FOWL: Guard your waistline against every one of the egregious Worst Chicken Dishes in America.

NOT THAT:
Domino’s Hand-Tossed Buffalo Chicken Specialty Pizza
700 calories
34 g fat (17 g saturated)
1,760 mg sodium

FAT EQUIVALENT: 7 scoops of Breyer’s Original Strawberry ice cream

This specialty pie from Domino’s starts strong with lean protein and heat-packed sauce, but smothers them between layers of cheese and a thick, oily crust. The result? Two slices that make up 85 percent of your day’s saturated fat allowance. Instead, build a custom pie on a thin crust, and load it with chicken and fiber-rich veggies. Then, if it’s a spicy kick you crave, ask Domino’s to add wing sauce on top. That contributes a ton of heat in a negligible number of calories. Same flavors, but without the excess cheese and bread running interference on your waistline.

EAT THIS INSTEAD!
Domino’s Thin-Crust Pizza with Grilled Chicken, Onion, Mushrooms, Green Chile Peppers, and Wing Sauce (Large pie, 2 slices)
420 calories
19 g fat (7 g saturated)
1,140 mg sodium

Related links:

The 8 NEW Saltiest Foods in America
8 “Scary” Food Myths—Busted
Lose 3 Pounds in 6 Meals!
6 Worst Frozen Diet Foods

What's your favorite healthy football-watching snack? Tell us on our Facebook page.

We've only a day to go with the 25,000 Pound Weight-Loss Challenge! And we need everybody's help to make sure that we hit our goal by Tuesday. Have you recorded your progress today? Click here and tell us how it's going.

Nobody eats perfectly all the time, and it’s fine—totally normal, in fact—to stray from your plan from time to time. But to be successful in the long-term, you must learn to overcome these temporary setbacks. You can’t let one binge or one “off day” turn into a full week, or month, of splurging.  Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, shake it off and get right back on track at your very next meal, or the very next day. Remember, nobody gains weight from one rich meal or a single slice of cake.  The real trouble starts when you allow that one “splurge” to snowball into an all-out eating frenzy. As the challenge draws to a close, it’s important to remember to take it one meal at a time, and learn to forgive yourself if you should fall slightly off balance.

To enhance your weight-loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

If you've joined the Challenge and not logged your total pounds lost, go here to record your progress now. If you haven't joined yet, click here to sign up -- it's never too late. All through January TODAY viewers are being challenged to lose weight -- 25,000 pounds!-- together. After you join, you can log your weight loss anytime.  

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on our Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy:
Choose lean proteins

Protein is a weight loss hero, but you want to choose the leanest options to control calories and minimize unhealthy fats. Best bets include skinless poultry, fish and shellfish, egg whites, beans, lentils, low-fat dairy, and whole soy foods (tofu, tempeh, edamame). For overall health, I recommend eating red meat (lean cuts, of course) no more than two times per week. When it comes to beef, cuts with the terms “loin” or “round” in the name, such as sirloin and top and bottom round, are the trimmest options.  For pork, go for the ultra-lean tenderloin.

To enhance your weight-loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on our Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy:
Do-it-yourself smoothie for a convenient meal replacement

Having a quick and easy meal replacement smoothie recipe in your back pocket comes in handy for times when you’re eating on the run…or simply feel like mixing things up. My homemade Power Protein Smoothie works perfectly as a stand-alone breakfast or lunch. It has plenty of filling protein to curb your appetite, plus lots of colorful frozen berries for fiber, vitamins, minerals, and natural sweetness. To make it, simply blend together ¾ cup milk (skim, soy, or almond), ½ banana, 1 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, and 3 to 5 ice cubes until smooth and frothy. One generous, 2-cup serving provides 305 calories and 31 grams protein.

To enhance your weight loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on our Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy: 
Clean out your condiment shelf

Condiments are a source of “hidden” calories because people often forget to account for them when tracking their food intake. A few squirts and smears of mayonnaise (100 cals per TB), regular salad dressing (up to 90 calories per tablespoon), barbecue sauce (20 cals per TB), and/or ketchup (15 cals per TB) can add up to a significant amount of calories every day, and even stand in the way of your weight-loss goal.

Today, your task is to clean out your condiment shelf. Ditch the fattening stuff and restock it with diet-friendly flavor enhancers like light salad dressings, salsa, mustard, low-fat mayo, balsamic vinegar, and hot sauce that can add dimension to your meals without jacking up the calorie count.

To enhance your weight loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on our Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy: 
Get moving during commercial breaks

Take advantage of those spare moments while watching your favorite shows—jump up off the couch and fill them with exercise. Take your pick: you can march or jog in place, do crunches, add extra jumping jacks (you’re still doing 300 a day, right?), or squeeze in a set of lunges or push-ups. During each 2-minute commercial break, you can burn an extra 20 calories…and that could add up to a total of 100 calories during an hour-long program! Way to be efficient, right?!

To enhance your weight loss efforts, check out Joy’s delicious, easy-to-follow meal plan that’s perfectly formulated to maximize results.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on our Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy: 
Spice up your meals

At this point in the challenge, it’s all about fine-tuning your diet to get every advantage possible—and spicing up your food is one way to get ahead. New research out of Purdue University suggests that adding fiery seasonings and condiments like cayenne pepper, fresh and bottled hot peppers, and hot sauce to meals suppresses your appetite and slightly revs your metabolism.

To cash in on these calorie savings, mix spicy ingredients into your food as often as you can in the weeks ahead. Try sprinkling chopped hot peppers into salads, or mixing hot sauce into low-fat mayo or hummus to make a spicy spread for sandwiches. Add minced jalapeno or chipotle peppers to omelets, low-fat chicken or tuna salad, stir fries, and marinades. Bring on the heat!

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Still sticking to your New Year's Resolution? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on the new Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy: 
Make the TV room a 'no-eating zone'