Since we started M's journey, we have learned a lot and shared a lot! People are really starting to take notice of the difference that a gluten-free diet can make! I have been asked to share more about how to start a GF lifestyle. So... by popular demand, here are our pointers for starting your gluten-free journey!
Be strong in your conviction! You know why you are going gluten-free and that is all that matters! You will more than likely meet resistance in the beginning of your journey. The GF diet has come under attack recently for being a fad diet or simply a trend. You will get the eye roll when you ask if there are any GF options. DO NOT give in to the negativity!
Be patient! Do not get discouraged if you do not see the desired results in days or even weeks! Gluten causes damage and it takes time for your body to heal and eliminate the gluten that is still in your system. Some doctors say that it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to see the full effect of a modified diet. Keep your reasons for going GF in the front of your mind and keep going.
Get connected! No one ever wants to go it alone. Research gluten-free support groups both online and in your community. The best resource you can have is the experience of others. I joined a few different Facebook GF groups and found that it was a great place to ask questions, learn what to avoid and get some delicious recipes!
Do your research, again! The number one advice that we got when we started our journey was to, "READ THE LABELS!" Manufactures can change ingredients or production at anytime without warning. What this means- just because you have determined that it was gluten-free at one point, that does not mean that product is always going to be a safe option. If you have a question- contact the company!
Switch it up! You can go gluten-free without breaking the bank. You can buy GF pastas, cookies, crackers, pizza and tons of other pre-packaged products. This can and will get costly. Instead, replace certain items with NATURALLY GF choices. For example, instead of buying a expensive box of GF crackers for snacks- grab an apple, dried fruit or popcorn!
Be proud to be gluten-free! Eating a restricted diet is both a challenging and rewarding journey. Be proud that you are trying something new and be proud of the choices that you are making for your health!
The Puzzled Palate has a collection of GF RESOURCES to get you started!
Do you have any advice for GF newbies? Have you ever considered going GF?
I'm so glad you broke this down. I had no idea it could take up to a year to see the results!
ReplyDeleteGood advice. So important to read the labels.
ReplyDeleteIt never occurred to me that the manufactures can change the ingredients or production at anytime without warning. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteHubs has been gluten-free for a couple of years now and feels so much better than he did. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteThis is all really good advice.Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many reasons to go GF! I can understand why many would feel so overwhelmed by the process. Good luck on your journey! Chrystal @ YUMeating.com
ReplyDeleteI just heard some people talking about this earlier today! It can be a scary thing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that manufacturers would change the ingredients without warning. Great tip to always read the labels!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I have always wondered how to get started.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great help to those that are GF or need to start the process. I will have to share this with my friends that recently went GF.
ReplyDeleteI know several people who have gone gluten free. There's definitely no judgment from me! I work with someone who has a different allergy, and I've just become super-aware of it and want to make any dish I bring in acceptable for everyone - even her.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend, Dwan from MommaDjane.com, actually was on the phone with me a month or so ago, explaining how easy and how inexpensive it can be to go gluten free. She was sharing some tips as my son was recently dx with Autism - High Functioning. But IDK .. I am not ready ... LOL I did notice that a majority of what I already buy, is gluten free.
ReplyDeleteThe last one is the best one. You can buy all the replacements you want, but when you just cut out those things in general (like bread/pretzels) you just feel better (in my opinion). And, then again, make sure you look for it in not-so-obvious places like soy sauce.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the guide! I think what's stopped me is that from everything I've heard, for GF to be effective you truly have to go 100% GF.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has to have strong conviction. Eat gluten or get sick, again. I was going to do a similar post - going GF is not easy.
ReplyDeleteI have recently joined a GF group on Facebook and it has been so much help on this new journey. Thank you so much for all the great information, I will have to share this with my Facebook group!
ReplyDeleteThere are people that have to go gluten-free and others that choose to go gluten-free. I believe that is where the skepticism begins.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list for beginners! So many people are going GF so it should be an easy transition because so many food accomodations!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it could take up to a year for your body to rid of gluten! This is such encouraging!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it could take up to a year for your body to rid of gluten! This is such an encouraging post
ReplyDeleteGreats tips. All changes are hard, and take consistency. Sticking with it long enough to see the results is the hardest part, for me.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips. I learned so much about gluten reading this.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that it can take so long to see results. That's a great motivator to keep on keepin' on with it!
ReplyDeleteDoing your research is just so important. You need to understand what is going on; you need to become the expert.
ReplyDeleteResearch is so important. I was doing a similar diet and saw one person say this food was allowed and another person say it isn't. Research and using the right sources would have solved that problem for me!
ReplyDeleteVery true, once you really commit to a GF diet you can find that there are more GF options than you think and more naturally GF foods than you realized.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't know much about the gluten free diet and since I can tolerate gluten I've never really went out to learn about it. Love the beginners guide.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I once considered going gluten free, but then I got nervous about where to start. It would probably help my stomach issues.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of friends going gluten free now. I tried some barbecue sauce and it was really tasty,
ReplyDeleteWe learned that we had to read labels every. single. time. when my son had his peanut allergy. Even if the ingredients didn't change, a change in location of production could introduce the allergen!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I know a few people who are gluten-free. It certainly is a challenge but there seems to be growing support for those that follow the diet.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about going gluten free. What an excellent resource for those who wish to know more.
ReplyDeleteYes, go natural. It makes me *facepalm* when I see people saying they had no idea how to buy GF chicken.... really?!?! Grab an apple, people :)
ReplyDeleteWell, meat can be cross contaminated with wheat products. But the people you are talking about probably haven't gotten that far into it:)
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