Kickstart Your Gluten Free Diet

There are many reasons for deciding to switch to a gluten-free diet and, it can be a little overwhelming at the beginning with all the information out there. Don't lose motivation! With some planning, trial and error, and a little elbow grease, you can figure out how to embrace the gluten-free lifestyle in a way that is right for you. Putting in the work will pay off big time in your future, positively affecting your health and overall wellness. One in five Americans states that they try to purchase gluten-free products while one in six chooses to stay away from gluten completely. With 18-million Americans suffering from gluten sensitivity, it's not hard to see why more and more are going gluten-free. All that being said, how do you get started?

What is gluten?
First, you need to know what gluten actually is. It is a substance that is present in wheat and cereal grains and what makes the dough stick together. It is a mixture of two proteins that can cause illness in those with celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivity.

Gluten-free foods are healthy and easy to find
You don't actually need to stock up on a bunch of crazy "health foods" with a giant gluten-free sticker plastered across the top of the package. Gluten-free breads, muffins, and other snack foods are not good for you because they are usually packed to the brim with sugar and other fillers. Start reading the entire label of the item you are considering as it may or may not be a healthy option. The more you read, the more you will get used to it. It doesn't take long and will pay off in the long run. You can also help others decipher labels as well. Keep in mind, it is completely okay to splurge on these items occasionally, but when they become a dietary staple you can expect consequences including weight gain.

Traditionally healthy foods such as beans, veggies, fruits, fish, nuts, and lean meat are in fact gluten-free and these are the items you should be eating the most of in the first place- gluten-free or not. Are you a lover of grains? No problem! There are plenty of grains that don't contain gluten. For example, rice, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat are all gluten-free, and the even make pasta made from these grains so you have plenty of options to choose from. If you have a hard time planning your meals, you might want to consider a gluten free meal delivery service. These services can supply you with easy to make meals and snacks, making it easy to stick your diet if you're very busy or having a hard time disciplining yourself.

Eating out
Eating out can present quite the challenge at first but keep in mind that one day you will get used to it. You need to become comfortable with asking servers lots of questions because you need to know the ingredients in everything you will be eating. Always ask if your items will be cooked on the same surface as foods containing gluten as this may present an opportunity for cross-contamination. Remember that you are the one paying for the restaurant's service and you should never feel bad about asking questions that will directly affect your health.

Plan ahead and find support
It is a good idea to plan ahead in general but especially important if you are planning on going out for a while or leaving on a trip. Having people that are sharing the same experience with you can make the difference between keeping up with the lifestyle, or falling behind. There are many online resources and groups dedicated to connecting people that are living the gluten-free lifestyle. When you're having a difficult time sticking to it, these resources will be a huge source of motivation- keeping you on track. Good luck!