A new research report launched by safe food has revealed a number of misperceptions of the health benefits of gluten-free products.
The new figures reveal that 75% of gluten-free snack foods were high in fat and 69% high in sugar, with calorie levels similar to a standard chocolate bar.
The findings showed that more than 1 in 7 people across Northern Ireland considered a gluten-free diet a healthy way to lose weight, with 17% of people thinking gluten-free products are lower in fat than foods that contain gluten and a further 17% thinking they contained less sugar.
The research included an analysis of the nutritional content of 67 gluten-free snack foods, including nut products and savoury snacks, cereal and baked products, and confectionery.
Introducing the research, Dietitian with Safe Food Joana Da Silva, said: "For those people who have a diagnosis of coeliac disease or those with a gluten-related disorder, avoiding gluten in their daily diet is an absolute must.
"However, there is no consistent evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve your health if you aren't sensitive to gluten. Yet, we know from our survey that over 90% of people buying these products do not have a gluten-related disorder or have not been diagnosed with coeliac disease and therefore have no medical reason to avoid gluten in their diet.
"We are concerned that a majority of gluten-free snack products have an unhealthy nutritional profile for everyone, whether or not they have a gluten-related disorder. Many of the gluten-free snacks we surveyed are high in fat and sugar like other treat foods.
"Snacking on foods such as fruit and vegetables, unsalted plain nuts and gluten-free rice cakes and cheese, are healthier options for us all."
According to industry estimates, the gluten-free food market in the UK was worth £438m in 2016, an increase of 36% on the previous year with many gluten-free food products promoted by media personalities and sports stars as part of a trend for 'clean label', including 'free-from', food products.
Ms Da Silva added: "Similar to recent trends we've seen with high-protein foods, gluten-free food is big business. In the case of gluten-free snacks, you could end up purchasing snack foods with lots of added fat and sugar which are of no added benefit to your health."
