These days, it seems that gluten is getting a bad rap. Gluten-free diets are being touted by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham, and more and more restaurants are offering gluten-free options.

If you have celiac disease, this is good news. Gluten, a protein composite found mainly in wheat and other grains, can cause your immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. It's painful and often leads to malnourishment.

But researchers have now found that celiac disease is not the only problem caused by gluten. It can also feed bacteria in the intestines, causing gas, bloating and indigestion.

So should we all ditch it? What are the benefits? How do we cook and eat without it? Are there good substitutes? Or should we think twice before we give it up?

Shauna Ahern, author of the Gluten-Free Girl series of cook books will be here to take your questions and offer advice and gluten-free recipes at 1pm ET / 6pm BST.

Ahern was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2005 and has been living a happy, healthy gluten-free life since. So if you're thinking about giving up gluten, or wondering about the benefits of living gluten-free, join us.

Post your questions here or follow us on twitter using #glutenchat