3 Tips to Transitioning to the Gluten Free Lifestyle

Many people speak of traveling through the “anger” phase when they find out they can no longer eat gluten. You may be able to relate to that feeling. Perhaps you are just considering the switch to address some nagging physical issues. In any case, there are some easy things you can do to make your transition away from that evil gluten a little less painful.

1. Consider all the foods that you love that are naturally gluten free – and stick with them. Cook them in really simple ways until you feel ready to experiment with gravies and sauces that will need substitute ingredients. Stock up on these:

• Proteins like roasted chicken and turkey, grilled steak, fish, and lamb

• All vegetables and fruits are naturally gluten free

• Starches and grains such as potatoes and rice (There are many grains you eat, but start with the basics that you are used to eating)

• Read the ingredients on individual packages –but many of your favorite packaged snack foods are not off limits, such as – popcorn, many of your favorite candies, corn chips, tortilla chips, potato chips, raisins, even Cheetos!

• Many canned and instant soups are okay as well- just know what to look for on the label

• Guacamole and salsa!

• Eggs, milk, most yogurts

• Soda, juice

• Some cereals – Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Honey Chex, Corn Flakes, Fruity Pebbles, just to name a few

2. Clean out your kitchen of all gluten!

• Read labels and get rid of gluten containing foods. Looking around the kitchen and seeing mostly foods you CAN’T eat is the fastest way to feel deprived by your new lifestyle.

• If you are trying to go gluten free and others in the house are still gluten filled, or vice versa, have a shelf or cabinet that’s just full of safe foods and start cutting back on what you buy that’s not gluten free. No one will even notice if you begin a secret phase out.

3. Pick your favorite three restaurants and study the menus online. Figure out some choices you can safely order and enjoy.

• If you do an online search of most national restaurants and the words “allergy information,” you will probably find a gluten free menu that you did not know about or at least some information about the gluten free suggestions that are available.

• If your favorites are small, local places, go in and talk to a manager during off hours to see how they can accommodate you. They usually will!

• Sometimes a different preparation of your favorite dish will make it gluten free. For example, Chicken Parmesan – breaded and fried chicken with tomato sauce, is a definite no-no because of the breading. We often order it with a grilled chicken breast but still topped with the gooey mozzarella and yummy tomato sauce. Just a simple change and its suddenly gluten free and it’s much healthier anyway. Many of your favorite dishes can be altered slightly so that you can still eat them. You don’t have to deprive yourself!

Just start here – these few things will make your transition very tolerable and even pleasant because you will begin to feel so much better. After you implement these and start feeling adventurous, then you are ready to move on to more complex shopping and cooking.