1. Gluten Free Doesn't Mean Option Free
When first placed on the gluten free diet, you may feel as if there is nothing you can eat, especially since so much of the American diet consists of gluten foods. Gluten free foods, or GF for short, have always been available in health food stores, but are becoming more available in grocery stores. Certain restaurants, such as Eat'n Park and Outback Steak House even have gluten free options. Some specialty restaurants, such as Laura's Bistro in Plano, Texas even caters to people who have severe problems with gluten and make nothing but gluten free dishes. The Celiac Association has created a restaurant guide that gives gluten free dining options.
2. Give It Some Time to Kick In
When initially starting the gluten free diet, you may experience an increase in your symptoms. For celiac disease, you can expect to see an improvement in two weeks. The digestive system of some adults may be completely healed in a year, while children generally only take months to recover. Keep in mind recovery does not mean you can then eat any of the gluten grains. You still need to eat only gluten free food because any gluten in your system will cause bowel damage.
3. Beware of Cross Contamination
Some people battling celiac disease or dealing with a wheat allergy are sensitive to minute amounts of gluten. For these individuals it may become necessary to avoid eating food prepared or served on any utensils that has ever come in contact with foods containing gluten. Eating out at anything other than a 100% gluten free restaurant, for these people, is not an option. You may also have to put the whole family on the gluten free diet or have special dishes and cooking utensils used strictly for the person with the wheat allergy or celiac disease.
4. Gluten Sometimes Plays Hiding Games
The gluten free diet requires some detective work. Gluten grains can be hiding in many food additives that are not obvious. For instance, you have to do some research to know that malt vinegar and malt flavoring are both created with grains and cannot be part of a gluten free diet. Other food additives you need to avoid include hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable protein, modified food starch, vegetable starch and gums such as xanthan, cellulose, locust bean and guar and gum arabic, gum tragacanth and gum aracia. It's also wise to avoid all products containing stabilizer, starch, flavoring, emulsifier and plant protein.
5. Call in Reinforcements
When dealing with any major health condition it's helpful to have someone to talk to and a place to go to get up to date information. The Celiac Sprue Association, or CSA, is available for people on a gluten free diet, and can help you find places to purchase gluten free food. They have a national chapter and several local chapters throughout the country. To get in contact with them, call their toll free number at (877) CSA-4-CSA, or (877) 272-4272.
Member Comments