Going gluten-free doesn’t have to be complicated.
This guide will explain how to follow the diet successfully.
A gluten-free diet can be followed whether it’s a medical necessity or just a personal preference.
There are lots of rumors swirling around the gluten-free diet.
What Is a Gluten-Free Diet?
And if you love your grains, you’ve got the option to still eat them.
you could also easily find gluten-free pasta made from corn, quinoa or beans.
If you eat this way, you likely won’t have to worry about nutritional deficiencies, says Begun.
You knowthe gluten-free muffins, brownies, cereals or pizza.
So, think of these as “on occasion” foods.
It’s just like with any diet.
A candy bar is just a candy bargluten-free or not.
So, you’re going to get used to playing food detective.
(It’s also not enough if a food says “wheat-free.")
Reading labels and checking for cross-contamination is necessary for people with celiac disease.
Oats are often contaminated with gluten, so they have to specifically be certified gluten-free oats.
Gluten-free flours, such as millet or amaranth, should also be bought certified gluten-free, says Begun.
If you’re vegetarian, note that seitan is wheat gluten.
“It’s about learning what to ask so it’s possible for you to make good choices.
In the beginning, it’s not easy,” says Begun.
First, get comfortable asking lots of questions.
For example, ask if the dressing is bottled or made in-house.
If it’s bottled, it may contain gluten; if homemade, ask what the ingredients are.
Gluten-free menus make it easier, but they’re still not completely reliable.
Are fries dunked in the same oil that chicken fingers (which are floured) were?
Do they cook the gluten-free pasta in the same water as the regular pasta?
Begun suggests people join a local gluten-free support group or find online support.
Focus on naturally gluten-free whole foods, stay mindful of hidden gluten sources and limit processed gluten-free options.
With a bit of planning and label-checking, you could maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
