McDougall's Starch Diet vs Gluten-Free Diet

Total Rating
5.2
out of 10
6.2
out of 10
Metabolic Health
6
May improve some metabolic markers but lacks robust long-term evidence for comprehensive metabolic health benefits.
6
May offer marginal benefits for specific sensitivities but lacks robust evidence for broad metabolic improvements.
Micronutrients
3
Severe deficiencies in B12, D, and iodine without supplementation.
7
Generally meets most micronutrient needs but risks deficiencies in B12, iron, and calcium without fortified foods or supplements.
Nutrient Density
7
Offers moderate nutrient density with diverse plant foods but relies on calorie-dense starches that lower per-calorie efficiency.
7
Offers moderate nutrient density with potential for high phytonutrient diversity but risks lower efficiency due to processed gluten-free products and possible nutrient gaps if not well-balanced.
Overall Health
5
Provides potential benefits for chronic disease risk but requires supplementation and faces sustainability challenges.
5
Provides limited benefits for specific conditions but risks nutrient deficiencies and lacks robust evidence for general population health.
Sustainability
5
Requires strict food restrictions and limited flexibility, which may hinder long-term adherence and practicality.
6
Requires careful planning and can be costly, limiting long-term flexibility and accessibility for most individuals.
Lifestyle Fit
3
Severely restricts social engagement, travel flexibility, and daily convenience, increasing stress and reducing long-term adherence potential.
7
Offers moderate flexibility for social and travel scenarios but requires planning and may limit spontaneous eating.
Practicality
7
Requires strict adherence to limited food groups but uses affordable, accessible staples with minimal preparation effort.
6
Requires moderate cost, careful planning, and access to specialty items but remains feasible for many with consistent effort.
Appetite Control
5
Limited protein and high glycemic load may lead to cravings and hunger despite fiber content.
6
May offer moderate satiety through fiber and protein but risks overeating with processed gluten-free alternatives.
Fat Quality
4
Limited healthy fat sources and absence of EPA/DHA compromise cardiovascular and neurological benefits.
6
Offers moderate healthy fat sources but lacks emphasis on omega-3 adequacy and may include processed gluten-free items with poor fat quality.
Fiber Intake
9
Provides ample diverse fiber from whole plant foods, supporting gut and metabolic health.
6
Provides moderate fiber potential but relies on individual food choices and may lack diversity in fiber sources.
Gut Health
6
Provides moderate fiber and plant diversity but lacks fermented foods and may limit microbiome diversity compared to broader plant-based diets.
6
May improve digestion for gluten-sensitive individuals but lacks inherent fiber diversity and risk of processed gluten-free foods.
Hormonal Support
5
Limited fat and micronutrient density may impair sex hormone synthesis and micronutrient-hormone interactions.
6
Provides moderate support for hormonal balance through reduced gluten-related inflammation but lacks strong evidence for systemic hormonal regulation.
Macro Balance
4
Low fat intake and potential protein insufficiency compromise functional macronutrient balance.
6
Offers flexibility in macronutrient distribution but lacks inherent structure to optimize functional ratios.
Protein Quality
4
Relies on incomplete plant proteins with limited leucine and digestibility, risking amino acid deficiencies and inadequate muscle support.
7
Provides adequate protein sources but risks incomplete amino acid profiles and lower digestibility if reliant on processed gluten-free products.
Taste
5
Limited flavor variety and potential for blandness may hinder long-term adherence.
7
Offers moderate flavor variety and adaptability but risks blandness without intentional seasoning.
Body Composition
4
Limited protein intake risks muscle loss while promoting fat loss, undermining fat-to-muscle ratio improvements.
5
Offers moderate fat loss potential but lacks inherent support for lean mass preservation and resistance training performance.
Energy Balance
6
Provides satiety through high fiber and volume but lacks structured calorie control and flexibility for different energy goals.
5
Offers moderate control over calorie intake but lacks inherent structure for consistent energy management.
Lean Mass
4
Limited protein quality and potential for inadequate leucine may hinder muscle preservation during calorie restriction.
6
Neutral impact on lean mass preservation due to variable protein adequacy and energy availability depending on individual adherence and food choices.
Athletic Support
5
Provides adequate carbohydrates for energy but may lack sufficient protein and fat, risking deficiencies and suboptimal recovery.
6
Provides adequate macronutrients but risks micronutrient deficiencies and underfueling if not carefully structured.
Weight Loss
6
Promotes moderate calorie deficit through high-volume plant foods but lacks strong evidence for sustained fat loss and faces adherence challenges.
5
May lead to modest weight loss in some individuals but lacks consistent evidence for sustained fat loss or calorie deficit without dietary restraint.

To discover how we evaluate diets based on Overall Health, Nutrient Density, Practicality, Taste, and other critical parameters, Explore Our Comprehensive Ranking System and detailed methodology. This will help you make informed decisions tailored to your specific goals and needs.