| most people when first diagnosed with Celiac | | | | shipping. If not, keep searching. |
| Disease, I had many questions. My doctor told me | | | | Non-Specialty Foods: Eat as many non-specialty |
| I needed a gluten free diet. I had never heard of | | | | foods as possible. Remember fruits, vegetables, |
| gluten. I wondered, “What is | | | | rice, potatoes, plain meats, and dairy products are |
| gluten?” Gluten is a protein found in wheat, | | | | SAFE. Simple adjustments to your normal daily |
| barley, (most oats) and rye. Gluten is found | | | | diet can be made by substituting gluten free |
| throughout the mainstream American diet. I | | | | products in the place of wheat products. I make |
| questioned how I would be able to adjust to this | | | | gluten free macaroni with rice pasta and cheese |
| new, permanent, lifelong diet change financially. | | | | instead of wheat semolina noodles. Rice or corn |
| In time, I learned how to eat gluten free on a | | | | spaghetti make excellent substitutes for wheat |
| budget. | | | | based spaghetti. Replace wheat noodles with rice |
| What can you do? | | | | noodles in casseroles. |
| Look locally first. Check your local grocery stores. | | | | For sandwiches, simply exchange your wheat |
| Look in the organics aisles or low-carb sections. | | | | based bread for gluten free breads. Homemade |
| You may be pleasantly surprised! Many grocery | | | | gluten free bread is superior to prepackaged retail |
| stores are recognizing specialty foods as a viable | | | | gluten free bread and is not hard to make. Use |
| marketing niche. Go speak to the General | | | | combinations of gluten free flours for best results. |
| Manager of the grocery mart. Tell this person | | | | Gluten free bread recipes are easily accessible |
| what you need. Many are willing to special order | | | | online. I use a bread machine for less preparation |
| foods to gain your business. | | | | and also have a small grain mill in order to grind |
| Health food stores. Often these stores are not | | | | my own rice. The initial costs for these items |
| chain/franchise stores but are owned by | | | | may seem expensive; however, over time these |
| individuals that you can develop a relationship with. | | | | items will certainly pay for themselves in savings. |
| Check on buying in bulk/by the case for price | | | | Save your health and your wallet by cutting back |
| reductions. Your business is important to them. | | | | on dessert type foods. Alternatively, make treats |
| Again tell the owner or manager exactly what | | | | yourself from your own flours. Dense cake |
| you need. Be specific. Ask for bulk discounts. | | | | recipes can be adapted for gluten free flours |
| Shop around until you are satisfied with the price | | | | relatively easily. Gluten free cake mixes, brownie |
| and the product. | | | | or cookie mixes and gluten free mixes in general |
| Buying online. When you buy online, you pay | | | | can be quite costly. Saving these delicacies for |
| shipping & handling for the food products. | | | | special occasions and holidays may be the best |
| This increases the price! Look online for sources | | | | option and keeps your budget from bulging on |
| that provide an auto-ship option. This is usually | | | | specialty GF foods. |
| accompanied by a discounted rate or free | | | | |