A Gluten Free Diet - The Do's and Don'ts of Getting Started

Starting a gluten free diet is a challenge. Followinginformation available.
a few simple do's and don'ts can make theDON'T feel the need to suddenly start only
transition much easier.shopping at health food stores and boutique
DO get rid of glutenous items in the pantry. Givegrocers. While they are great for specialty items,
them to coworkers, friends, family, or donate tomost regular grocery stores now have a decent
a soup kitchen. If the temptation is there, its easyselection of items.
to say "I'll start as soon as I've finished it."DON'T buy every prepackaged GF item on the
DO invest in a separate toaster. It is impossible toshelf. While this is tempting, it is often a waste of
clean crumbs out of the old one.money. Many of the products do not have a
DO keep an arsenal of gluten free snacks onsimilar taste or texture to their traditional
hand. Nuts, fruit, cheese sticks, and potato chipscounterparts. Ask around for product
all travel well.recommendations. Start with one or two items a
DO read labels carefully, particularly on things likeweek to figure out what you like.
spices, soups, and salad dressings. Read themDON'T cook separate meals for everyone in the
multiple times. Read it in the store, when you puthouse. Make dinners that are naturally Gfree so
it away, and before you eat the product.that everyone can share and enjoy the same
DO shop the perimeter of the grocery store formeal. This way, dinner is still about family time.
foods that are naturally gluten free. RememberDON'T think of this as a diet. The word diet has
that only one food group is changing. Fruits,such negative connotations in our society, and the
vegetables, fish, meats, and most dairy productsword itself has the power to make you fall off
are naturally gluten free.the bandwagon, which is not good for your health.
DO seek out information.Instead, embrace gluten free as an alternative
DON'T be overwhelmed by the amount oflifestyle.