subject: How To Get Started On A Gluten Free Diet [print this page] Getting started with a gluten free diet can be tough. There is such a steep learning curve and it may feel like a daunting challenge when you are newly diagnosed. The main thing to remember is that you will no longer be able to eat wheat, barley or rye. Every time you go grocery shopping you will need to check every label of every food before you put it in your trolley.
Wheat is the most common ingredient and you will find that it is commonly added to foods such a sauces, packaged meals and all sorts of foods that you may never have even considered.
It is likely that the first gluten free trip to the shops will take twice as long as it used to, but this will improve as you get familiar with everything. If you are feeling a little bit down about all the things that you can't eat it will help if you look at a gluten free diet list and focus on the things that you can eat. One thing to remember is that you will be able to eat all unprocessed fresh meats, fish, fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, rice, corn and much more.
If you like cooking, then you will find that you can make a delicious range of food that tastes amazing and there are plenty of substitutes for gluten based products. Gradually things will get easier and easier until they feel very normal to you.
One of the most important things you need to do when you are on a gluten free diet is avoid cross contamination. This is most likely to happen if you eat out a lot or share a kitchen with people who eat a regular diet.
If you share a house with other people who eat gluten you need to make sure that the other people understand how important it is that you do not ingest even a tiny amount of gluten. When you prepare any food always be very careful and make sure that your utensils, knifes and chopping boards are clean. You may even want to have separate chopping boards and utensils for gluten free food. Make sure that you clean any work top surfaces before you prepare food.
Another tip is to consider having separate tubs of margarine, jam, peanut butter or anything that everyone in the house uses. Cross contamination can easily occur if someone spreads somthing on to their toast or bread and then sticks the knife back into the tub.
Going gluten free definitely takes a while to get used to, but if you have been ill for a while you will find that the benefits of the gluten free diet greatly outweigh the negatives as you start to feel healthy again.
