Learning to Eat Gluten Free
Celiac disease is a disease where your body is unable to process gluten (the protein found in wheat). Often people go years before they are diagnosed. Eating gluten when you have Celiac disease causes havoc on your body and can lead to many digestive health issues, along with many other autoimmune conditions. Some people do not have Celiac - but have a gluten sensitivity. This is when your body is reactive to Gluten, and you feel better when it is avoided. Gluten in and of itself is not unhealthy but if you have Celiac disease or if you have a gluten sensitivity then it should be avoided.
If you are newly diagnosed with a gluten allergy or sensitivity - it can be really overwhelming, and you may feel like you will never eat any good food again. I have Celiac Disease. I am not going to lie, when I first started eating gluten free it was a bit overwhelming. Half the battle is learning what are the gluten free foods you like.
When putting together a meal- be careful to avoid hidden additives in foods-Even protein can have hidden gluten watch for words like seasonings. Luckily these days- most things are labeled gluten free
Some Gluten Free starches that you can use are: Rice, Potatoes, Winter Squash, Quinoa, Oatmeal (Gluten Free Brands), Buckwheat, Corn, Gluten Free Bread, Gluten Free Pasta
Fruits and Vegetables are naturally gluten free- include them in your meals and snacks.
Dairy is Gluten Free- but it should be noted, many people who have a gluten allergy often have a dairy allergy.
I will list off some products that I like that are gluten free let me be clear; this does not mean they are healthy. But sometimes you need a treat. When adjusting- I find it helpful to find gluten free options that are similar to things you used to eat.
Pizza is definitely one of those things that I miss being Gluten Free. The Sabatasso’s Gluten Free Frozen Pizza is definitely one of my favorites (I buy it at Costco). Another one of my favorite Frozen pizza’s is DiGiorno. On both of these make sure you buy the gluten free option. I also sometimes add additional toppings to make it my own. There are Local Pizza Chains that have some pretty good gluten free options as well.
I make my own cookies most of the time. But I do have a few favorite store bought ones I like. Gluten Free Oreos, Tates Chocolate Chip, Tates Ginger Cookies, Goodie Girl Cookies, Walkers Gluten Free Shortbread, I like the Glutino wafer cookies and the scharr wafer cookies.
I have been gluten free for many years. I have tried many good gluten free products and some not so good ones. If you are just beginning the process of going Gluten Free. I have many more tips and tricks.
I specialize in helping people with food allergies and sensitivities in learning to live life with their food restrictions.
