If you have celiac disease or wheat allergies, following a gluten-free diet is an lifelong commitment. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. Choose gluten-free foods as an essential component of your diet to control celiac disease and wheat allergies. Meet with you doctor or a dietitian for advice on which foods to choose to make preparing meals and grocery shopping easier.
Prepared Foods
You may find it hard to go without everyday essentials traditionally made from wheat, such as bread, crackers and pasta. Fortunately, many varieties of such foods are available in gluten-free form to make transitioning to a gluten-free diet a little easier. Gluten-free breads are made from a variety of safe grains, including brown rice, tapioca and teff. Some varieties of gluten-free bread are frozen to preserve freshness, while others are shelved in vacuum-packed bags. Gluten-free pasta made from corn or rice is available in many varieties, like spaghetti and lasagna noodles. Snacks like crackers, pretzels, and baked goods like cookies and brownies are also available gluten-free. Look for prepared gluten-free foods in the health food or organic section of your grocery store.
Fresh Produce
Fresh produce is naturally free of gluten. Fruit and vegetables that have not been processed or seasoned add variety and nutrition to your gluten-free diet. Choose seasonal fruits that you enjoy, like strawberries or melons. Fresh vegetables can be used in meals and as side dishes. Fruits and vegetables that have been canned or frozen may contain gluten additives. Read product labels for a "gluten-free" sign and to determine if the food has gluten additives.
Fresh Meat
All fresh cuts of meat are gluten-free. Fresh cuts are meats that have not been seasoned or processed into other food items like hot dogs or lunch meat. Look for fresh steaks, poultry breasts, ribs, ground meat or burgers. You can cook them with gluten-free seasonings to taste. Be wary of processed meats, as these may have agents or seasonings that contain gluten like modified food starch or hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Look for the words "gluten-free" on the product packaging when choosing processed meat products.
Dairy
Plain milk and milk products do not contain gluten. You may enjoy yogurt, hard and soft cheeses, milk, cream cheese and cottage cheese. Always read labels on dairy products to ensure they are free of gluten. Some dairy products, like flavored ice cream and yogurt, may contain malt or cookie or brownie pieces that contain gluten. Include naturally gluten-free fresh eggs on your dairy shopping list as well.
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