Living A Gluten Free Lifestyle

Gluten free eating doesn’t have to be disappointing or gross. In this article, I will explain how to live a gluten-free lifestyle.

I’ve been eating a gluten-free diet for 11 years. I don’t feel l deprived and have learned to enjoy all kinds of food.

These days with all of the gluten free recipes out there and gluten-free products, many people adapt quite well and see some excellent results in the way they feel.

Gluten Allergies and Sensitivities

Many people don’t realize they are even allergic to gluten or sensitive to it. Before I went gluten free I was having such a hard time with my body. I felt bloated all the time and my stomach would swell and swell when I would eat gluten.

I remember gaining 15 lbs in a month without even changing what I ate.

I felt horrible after I ate it and it got to the point that my stomach felt like I was being stabbed. Many times I cried.

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some may have the following:

dark circles under their eyes
bumps on the back of their arms
foggy thinking
fatigue
headaches
bloating
stomach aches
weight gain

…. and more.

By eliminating products and food with gluten or swapping them out for gluten free products, you’ll soon find out if you are sensitive or not.

You can go to the doctor and get tested. Know that sometimes you won’t get a concrete yes, yet you still experience symptoms. The easiest thing to do is to take it out from your current eating and see what happens.

How to Go On a Gluten Free Lifestyle

Here are 7 ways to go on a gluten-free lifestyle.

#1 Know what is Gluten Free and What Isn’t

Learn what products have wheat/gluten in them so you know what to stay away from.
Think of the word B.R.O.W – Barley, Rye, Oats* and Wheat.
Oats are gluten free, however, some brands have been processed in a plant with other products. Check the labels.

Did you know these items have/can have wheat/gluten in them? :Licorice, Salad Dressings, Chocolate & Chocolate Bars, Seasonings, Some Seasonings on Chips, Imitation Crab Meat, Soy Sauce, malt vinegar and headache medicine and some Vitamins & Supplements:

Licorice, Salad Dressings, Chocolate & Chocolate Bars, Seasonings, Some Seasonings on Chips, Imitation Crab Meat, Soy Sauce, malt vinegar and headache medicine and some Vitamins & Supplements:
Cosmetics and Eye and Lip Products – Some contain a vitamin E that’s derived from wheat germ.

#2 Get Rid of the Gluten Free Products In the House ( fridge and pantry)

Including items that people tend to double dip in like butter, peanut butter. Remember your toaster will also have crumbs from previous products as well so you may just need to turf it and buy a new one.

#3 Restock on Alternatives –

Focus on variety of foods and supplement where necessary
Don’t buy all processed food for going gluten free. Many products are high in carbs and sugars etc like Pizza, bread, and pasta.

Be careful on overloading on extra calories as many items like bread are higher in calories and carbs, some products are loaded with sugar and salt as well.

#4 Learn How to Make things/cook/recipes

There are tons of resources Online & Recipes- Pinterest, allrecipes

#5 Get Your Family Involved

You don’t have to cook for just yourself. I cook gluten free in m household and no one in the house even misses gluten. My husband loves eating gluten free now and when he does eat things that contain gluten he feels horrible.

#6 Restaurants and Eating out

You can ask for a gluten free menu as many restaurants are now in the know when it comes to eating a gluten free diet. Learn what you can have (and what you can’t).

Servers are also becoming more aware of these types of allergies and learning how to accommodate for the customers.
Note: While fries are “only potatoes”…some fries have a flour coating and/or deep fried in the same fryer as non gluten free food.

#7 Last Tips

Don’t cheat once you’ve made a commitment to this new gluten free lifestyle. It is NOT worth it. You’ll most likely feel like you have a hangover.
Focus on What you Can Eat. You won’t go hungry.

I feel so much better now. I have a ton of energy, my stomach doesn’t look like I’m pregnant (without a baby to show for it…and I’ve really learned about gluten-free food and how to live a gluten-free lifestyle. And you can too.

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Gluten Free Eating | How to Start A Gluten Free Lifestyle