Eating Gluten Free Need Not Be Hard

If you are newly diagnosed as either being celiac or just intolerant to gluten, you need to get organized as soon as possible so that you have something in your store cupboard. If you don't, you will stand gazing at your cupboard and get depressed very quickly at all the things you can't eat. That's when you will crumble and grab something you shouldn't like the half pack of chocolate biscuits of your flat mates. Get organized now!

To start, if you are sharing a cupboard with gluten eaters, designate yourself some space for your gluten free food, maybe a whole shelf at eye level. You won't be tempted by gluten foods quite the same if you don't notice them each time you open the cupboard.

Make your shopping list for staples such as gluten free pasta, gluten free bread and gluten free stock etc right away. Don't forget to get some gluten free treats such as biscuits and crackers to ease you into the new diet with out too much sacrifice. Don't over do the treats though, you don't want to necessarily gain weight.

Find some support locally. You will be surprised how many people share the same diet as you for various reasons. Talk to your friends and acquaintances, look for your local celiac group or set a group up of your own. There are also plenty of websites offering support and forums.

Don't forget to organize yourself at work. If you have morning tea with your colleagues, don't feel left out when you can't eat their cake, just take your own. The same for lunch, try keeping tinned tuna and pre cooked rice in the office refrigerator, or buy a small toaster to toast your gluten free bread in. Everyone knows the bread is the worst part, but toast is good.

Talk to your local sushi bar and find out what they don't put soya sauce or malt vinegar in. The sushi itself is good and healthy, but not with soy sauce on. It contains wheat and will probably upset your system again.

Whilst there are not many fast food outlets that carry gluten free foods, see who does near you. Subway do salads, but no gluten free bread. KFC is definitely NOT gluten free, even though it's chicken, there is wheat in the coating. Be warned.

That should keep you on track for the first few weeks until you find your feet. Don't get hungry, keep a gluten free bar nearby in your bag in case you get stuck one day.

By following the diet and not straying, you will begin to heal any damage that you may have had by following a gluten diet.