Adapting to a Gluten-Free Diet – Tips for Beginners

Whether you have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease or another form of gluten intolerance or are looking to cut gluten to boost your energy levels or reduce bloating, you may feel overwhelmed by how much of what you eat contains gluten. The idea of giving it up can be frightening. But, nowadays, more gluten-free food is available than ever, and adapting is much easier than it used to be. Here are some of the best gluten-free diet tips to help you.

Start Reading Labels

You might feel pretty confident about things like bread and pasta that need to be avoided or replaced, but you might be surprised by other things that contain gluten. While there are plenty of helpful websites, it’s always a good idea to check labels when shopping. Get into the habit of reading ingredients when you shop and asking to see more information when you eat out, and it will soon start to feel normal.

Look for Gluten Free Alternatives

Years ago, a gluten-free diet meant that you couldn’t eat things like bread and that eating out was very difficult. Now, things like gluten-free bread are readily available, and many restaurants offer gluten-free options or even full menus.

Find Gluten Free Recipes

If you enjoy cooking, you may worry that you must give up something you love to stick to a gluten-free diet. This isn’t the case. There are many gluten-free recipe books and blogs, and you’ll usually be able to modify your favorite recipes to create something tasty.

Try New Things

Try to see changing your diet as an opportunity to try new things, including fresh ingredients, restaurants, and recipes. It’s a challenge, but there’s no reason it can’t be fun.

Find Gluten Free Treats

Going gluten-free with daily meals is easy once you get into habits and routines, but what about snacks and treats? Suddenly having to give up your favorite treats can be upsetting. The good news is there are some fantastic gluten free ice cream flavors, and gluten-free baking is more popular than ever. Make sure you know what you can and can’t have so that you are prepared when a sweet craving hits.

Prioritize Natural Gluten Free Foods

Whatever your reason for going gluten-free, eating more natural and less processed foods will always be good. Plenty of natural, grown foods are gluten-free so make the most of them.

Learn More About Alcohol

Don’t make the mistake of focusing on your food and forgetting the drinks. Lots of alcohol contains gluten, so make sure you know what you can and can’t drink.

Use Helpful Tools

There are lots of apps, books, and websites to help you to find gluten-free recipes and restaurants that offer gluten-free options. Use them to make your life easier.

Minimize Cross-Contamination at Home

When you cook at home, make sure you keep all of the ingredients and utensils separate if you are cooking with gluten for other people.

Going gluten-free can seem like a significant change. But once you get into the habit of reading labels and become more aware of what you can and can’t eat, it gets much easier, and even eating out will be just as fun as it used to be. We hope these gluten-free diet tips are help make the transition easier.