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Living Gluten Free
1
Copyright © 2019 – All Rights Reserved
Living Gluten Free
2
Copyright © 2019 – All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Disclaimer
All the material contained in this book is provided for educational and informational
purposes only. No responsibility can be taken for any results or outcomes resulting from
the use of this material.
While every attempt has been made to provide information that is both accurate and
effective, the author does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or use/misuse
of this information.
You are encouraged to print this book for easy reading.
Use this information at your own risk.
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Contents
Introduction ....................................................................... 6
Chapter 1 – History Of Gluten & How It’s Affecting Our Health .. 11
The Caveman Diet ..................................................................................... 12
Farming, Agriculture, And Gluten ................................................................ 13
How Is Gluten Affecting Our Health? ............................................................ 15
Chapter 2 – Do I Have Celiac Disease Or Gluten Sensitivity? ..... 17
Celiac Disease ........................................................................................... 17
Gluten Sensitivity ...................................................................................... 19
Chapter 3 – What Exactly Is A Gluten Free Diet & Is It Right For
Me? ................................................................................. 21
Foods To Eat And Foods To Avoid ................................................................ 22
Foods You Can Eat .................................................................................... 23
Most Wholegrains ................................................................................... 23
Fruits And Vegetables ............................................................................. 24
Proteins................................................................................................. 25
Fats ...................................................................................................... 26
Beverages ............................................................................................. 26
Dairy .................................................................................................... 27
Foods To Avoid ......................................................................................... 28
Chapter 4 – 4 Benefits Of Going Gluten Free .......................... 31
More Energy ............................................................................................. 31
Prevent Digestive Issues ............................................................................ 32
Reduce Inflammation ................................................................................. 32
Weight Loss .............................................................................................. 33
Chapter 5 – Pitfalls To Avoid When Going Gluten Free ............. 35
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Not Reading Food Labels ............................................................................ 35
Assuming That All Gluten-Free Foods Are Safe .............................................. 36
Not Getting Enough Nutrients ..................................................................... 37
Quitting Too Early ..................................................................................... 37
Overlooking Sauces, Seasonings, And Condiments ........................................ 38
Chapter 6 – Shopping Tips For Living A Gluten Free Life ........... 40
Try New Sections In The Grocery Store ........................................................ 40
Be Wary Of Oats ....................................................................................... 41
Find New Staples ...................................................................................... 42
Remember That Wheat-Free Isn’t Gluten-Free .............................................. 42
Make A List ............................................................................................... 43
Chapter 7 – A Sample Menu For A Gluten Free Day ................. 45
Breakfast – Fruit and Yoghurt ..................................................................... 45
Snack ...................................................................................................... 46
Lunch – Tuna Niçoise Salad ........................................................................ 46
Snack ...................................................................................................... 47
Dinner – Salmon, Baked Potato And Spinach ................................................ 47
Drinks ...................................................................................................... 47
Chapter 8 – Tips To Eating Out A Gluten Free Diet .................. 49
Eat Earlier Or Later Than Usual ................................................................... 49
Read The Menu ......................................................................................... 50
Choose Carefully ....................................................................................... 51
Be Clear On What You Need ....................................................................... 51
Ask Questions ........................................................................................... 52
Thank Them Generously............................................................................. 53
Chapter 9 – Gluten Free Living For The Whole Family .............. 54
Always Wipe Down Surfaces ....................................................................... 55
Always Prepare Gluten-Free Food Separately ................................................ 55
Be Very Strict When It Comes To Cross Contamination .................................. 56
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Store Gluten-Free Ingredients In A Separate Cupboard .................................. 56
Try Plenty Of New Foods ............................................................................ 57
Conclusion– Steps To Start Today & Long Term Lifestyle Change
....................................................................................... 58
Remember That It’s Okay To Miss Old Favourites .......................................... 58
Do Your Research ...................................................................................... 59
Speak To Your Friends And Family ............................................................... 60
Throw Out Temptations .............................................................................. 60
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Introduction
Hello and welcome to our short, beginners guide on living a
gluten free life
As you may or may not be aware, we are currently in the midst of
an obesity epidemic that has reached epic proportions. Life
expectancies are on the decline, weight-related illnesses are on
the up, and our health, in general at least, is deteriorating by the
year.
But why is this? With all of the advancements in modern
technology, science, and medicine, surely we should be fitter and
healthier than ever?
Well, we should be, but we aren’t. We aren’t, because we are
obviously doing something very wrong. It doesn’t take a genius
to figure out where we’re doing wrong either. We’re slipping up
because we’re leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles, we aren’t
getting enough exercise, and we’re eating the wrong foods.
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The modern Westernized diet is far from ideal. In fact, it’s
downright awful as far as a lot of people are concerned.
You see, nowadays, food and drink is produced, not with health
and wellness in mind, but rather, with speed, profit margins, and
convenience in mind. Foods are heavily processed to within an
inch of their lives and as a result, by the time they reach store
shelves, they contain a mere fraction of the nutrients that they
held before the processing took place. When foods are processed,
they lose much of their nutrient contents.
As well as that, they are also then often combined with artificial
chemical ingredients to help promote taste, colour, and shelf life.
Bread is a fine example of this. As you probably know, wholemeal
bread is considered to be a far healthier bread than white bread.
This is because it undergoes far less processing.
One ingredient hiding in bread however, that we’d like to talk
about today, is gluten.
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You may have heard people talking about gluten allergies and
intolerances but what precisely is gluten and is it really as bad as
some people claim?
Gluten is a type of protein that is found within grains such as
barley, rye, and wheat. That means that gluten is found in any
products which contain these ingredients. Bread is a prime
example, though there are of course, many other foods made
from these products and containing these products.
Now, the thing to remember here is that gluten intolerances and
allergies are not the same as celiac disease. Celiac disease is a
form of immune disease which results in irritation and damage to
the small intestine after gluten has been consumed. In actual
fact, gluten is such a troublesome little critter, that there are 5
different problems people can face when it comes to consuming
gluten. These are:
• Celiac disease
• Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Gluten intolerance
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• Gluten ataxia
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
Many people also claim to have a gluten allergy. In reality, there
is no such thing as a gluten allergy. What there is however, is a
wheat allergy, and that is what many people confuse with a
gluten allergy. So, basically, it is impossible to be allergic to
gluten, but it is not impossible to be allergic to wheat.
Those dealing with any of the aforementioned gluten-related
conditions will often suffer from a wide range of symptoms – all
of which happen to be very similar. These include:
• Bloating
• Distended stomach
• Stomach cramps
• Stomach pains
• Headaches
• Dizzy spells
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• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Weight loss
• Skin rashes and problems
• And more…
Well that’s a brief intro how gluten affects your body and into
what we’ll be covering in this guide. In the following chapters,
we’re going to focus in on the different aspects of Gluten Free
Living and help you develop a plan to get the most out of
everyday life.
Are you ready to begin?...
Let’s dive in!
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Chapter 1 – History Of Gluten & How
It’s Affecting Our Health
Wheat, and other similar grains are considered by many to be
godsends. Ever since we became self-sufficient, and discovered
farming and agriculture, we have utilized wheat and grains in a
wide variety of different ways.
From bread and pasta, to beer and wine, wheat is seemingly the
gift that keeps on giving. There is however, a downside to being
self-sufficient. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last
decade or so, you’ll have noticed how more and more people
seem to be adopting a gluten-free diet.
Initially, people thought it was just a fad, or a trend set by
Hipsters looking to standout and rebel against society.
It turns out however, that gluten-free diets were not just fads at
all, and that, in actual fact, they are able to provide a wide range
of health and wellness benefits to those that follow them.
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But why do people feel the need to adopt a gluten-free diet and
lifestyle in the first place? Well, in order to obtain an answer to
that, we need to go back in time more than a million years.
The Caveman Diet
Back in the Paleolithic era, back when our caveman ancestors
roamed the earth, we had no farms, no convenience stores, and
no pizza delivery services. In fact, the food we used to eat back
then had to be found, foraged, or killed.
Cavemen would hunt and kill wild animals, they’d snag fish if they
could, they’d eat nuts, seeds, berries, and anything else deemed
edible that grew in the wild. Nowadays, paleo diets are hugely
popular.
The common misconception about these diets is that they are for
weight loss. They aren’t. They’re primarily to help people avoid
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common food allergies and intolerances, and the nasty side
effects that go with them.
You see, back then, cavemen were not obese, they didn’t suffer
from food allergies, and they didn’t need to use prescription
medications to control and regulate a wide range of different
health issues based primarily on the modern Westernized diet.
Granted, life expectancies back then were very low, but causes of
death were deemed to primarily be natural back then. Though
wheat and similar grains did grow in the wild, back then we had
no idea that they were edible, so we stayed well clear.
Farming, Agriculture, And Gluten
Around 10,000 years ago, give or take a few decades, something
changed. We went from hunting and foraging our food to being
self-sustainable.
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Yes, we discovered farming and agriculture, and we discovered
that grains could be grown in the ground, harvested, and
processed to make edible items like primitive types of bread.
That means that, evolutionarily speaking, we have only been
eating gluten for around 10,000 years. That seems like a long
time, but considering the other foods like those followed on
paleo-based diets, have been consumed for more than ten times
that amount of time, you can see that our digestive systems may
not have actually had time to catch up.
It is believed that we first began harvesting wheat around 8800
BCE. Primarily it was harvested in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and
Assyria. Around 5000 BCE however, many other parts of the
world were also harvesting wheat. During the Bronze Age, spelt
became a staple ingredient in diets all over the globe.
By the 15th Century, the New World was regularly harvesting and
processing wheat and similar grains to make all kinds of delicious
creations.
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By the 19th century, brewing and bread-making techniques really
improved, and things continued to grow and expand from there.
How Is Gluten Affecting Our Health?
Gluten comes from the Latin word for glue. This is because it is
able to hold grains such as wheat together and bind them. This
protein is responsible for giving grain-based products such as
bread and pasta, their soft and chewy texture.
Now, a lot of people can quite happily eat gluten to their heart’s
content, so surely, it’s harmless enough?
Well, not exactly. You see, 1 in 133 US citizens suffers from some
form of gluten intolerance. As more and more research is being
conducted on gluten and the potential health risks it presents,
scientists are finding more and more evidence to suggest that to
some individuals, gluten does appear to be more harmful than
others.
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Experts believe that, if we were to go back to how we initially
farmed and processed grains, we’d be much healthier than we are
now. They believe that most grains consumed today have been
so heavily processed, altered, and modified, that they are very
different to the ones we ate thousands of years ago.
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Chapter 2 – Do I Have Celiac Disease
Or Gluten Sensitivity?
So, now that we know a little more about gluten and why,
potentially, it can be harmful to our bodies, we now need to
address the issue of whether you may potentially be suffering
from Celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity.
The two are very often confused with one another, but there are
differences, and it pays to understand these differences so as to
avoid a misdiagnosis.
Let’s now look at the differences between gluten sensitivity and
celiac disease.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a condition that is genetic. This autoimmune
disorder results in an individual suffering from adverse reactions
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when they consume gluten, or even a small trace of gluten for
that matter.
When celiac disease occurs, it results in the small intestine
becoming swollen and inflamed. When this happens, it is unable
to absorb nutrients from the foods and drinks we consume.
What’s more, it can also result in other adverse reactions and
side effects including:
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Gas
• Bloating
• Stomach cramps
• Constipation
• Weight loss
• Anaemia
• Itchy skin and rash
• Depression
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The scientific term for what happens during celiac disease
episodes is Villous Atrophy. This basically means fattening of the
cells which line the small intestine.
The aforementioned symptoms of celiac disease are the most
common, though there are over 200 symptoms. Roughly 1% of
the population has been diagnosed with the disease, though a lot
of sufferers are believed to have not yet been diagnosed.
Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is not as well
understood as celiac. Gluten sensitivity is a condition whereby,
upon ingesting gluten, patients experience a number of adverse
reactions to said gluten, with symptoms being virtually identical
to celiac disease.
6% of the population is thought to suffer from gluten sensitivity.
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The two are very similar, though the main issue is that celiac
suffers have ‘leaky gut’ which means that their guts have a high
level of permeability, which is why they are unable to absorb as
many nutrients, because they escape before they can be
absorbed.
People with gluten sensitivity do NOT have high levels of
permeability, so leaky gut is not an issue.
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Chapter 3 – What Exactly Is A Gluten
Free Diet & Is It Right For Me?
Now it’s time for us to look at what a gluten free diet really is,
and whether it could be right for you. Remember, gluten is a very
complex ingredient and is far more complex than a lot of people
seem to realize.
In basic terms, a gluten free diet is a diet which excludes all foods
and beverages containing gluten, or ingredients which may
contain gluten.
Those affected with Celiac disease will commonly cut gluten out
of their diets. However, those with gluten sensitivity issues will
also need to do the same.
If you have experienced any adverse reactions or side effects
when consuming foods or drinks containing gluten, such as those
that we have listed previously, it may be time for you to adopt a
gluten free diet.
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Some people choose to cut gluten out of their diets anyways,
even if they aren’t actually suffering from any form of sensitivity
to it.
Foods To Eat And Foods To Avoid
So, as you can see, a gluten free diet is very easy to describe,
and diagnosing issues pertaining to gluten sensitivity, is fairly
simple.
So, what foods can you eat, and which foods should you avoid if
you choose to go gluten free? Does this mean you can never eat
a delicious pizza or bacon double cheeseburger again? No,
absolutely not.
The good news is that, because more and more people are
adopting a gluten free diet and lifestyle, there are now more
delicious gluten substitutions than ever before. You can even
purchase gluten-free flour, so you can literally bake your own
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breads, doughs, and bases using ingredients that are 100%
gluten-free.
To ensure your gluten-free experience runs as smoothly as
possible, we’re now going to list some of the main foods you can
eat, and foods you should avoid, while following a gluten free
diet. We’ll begin with what you can eat.
Foods You Can Eat
Most Wholegrains – Yes, that’s right. The common belief is
that all wholegrains contain gluten and are therefore very bad for
anybody suffering with gluten sensitivity issues.
The truth is that most wholegrains are actually free from this
pesky protein. The thing to remember however, is that a lot of
grains are processed in facilities that also process gluten-
containing ingredients, so cross-contamination can occur. This is
especially true when it comes to oats.
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Examples of gluten-free wholegrains however, include the
following:
• Quinoa
• Buckwheat
• Wild rice
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Arrowroot
• Teff
• Millet
• Amaranth
• Tapioca
Fruits And Vegetables – As long as they are natural, and
haven’t been processed in any way, all fruits and vegetables are
naturally free from gluten. Fruits and veggies are ideal for any
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diet plan pretty much, as they are loaded full of vitamins,
minerals, and other nutrients that the body thrives upon.
We won’t list each fruit and vegetable that you can eat on this
diet as that would take an eternity. Just be wary of canned fruits
or veggies, or pre-prepared ones.
Proteins – Again, as long as they are natural and haven’t been
processed or tinkered with in any way, all meats and fishes are
naturally free from gluten.
Meats and fish for example, are rich in vitamins, minerals, and
even some healthy fats and beneficial amino acids. Processed
meats however, such as sausages, are sometimes bulked out
with cereals and ingredients which do contain gluten.
Eggs are another great source of protein that are naturally
gluten-free. Nuts, seeds, and most legumes are also perfectly
acceptable on a gluten-free diet.
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Fats – Fat is a macronutrient that plays a crucial role in our day-
to-day lives. It is essential for a number of natural processes
within the body and, providing we get it from healthy and natural
sources, it is actually extremely healthy.
Fats are also naturally free from gluten. Just be wary of cooking
sprays, or oils with added seasonings, as they may sometimes
contain ingredients which could contain gluten. Examples of
healthy fats include:
• Oily fish
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Grass-fed butter
• Avocados
• 100% natural nut butters with nothing added
Beverages – As well as whole foods, you will also no doubt
need to consume something to wash everything down. Most
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beverages are perfectly fine on a gluten-free diet, with drinks like
water, fruit juice, tea, and coffee, all proving perfectly acceptable.
Just be wary of smoothies, alcoholic beverages, and malt
beverages which are often made with grains and/or ingredients
containing gluten.
Dairy – Dairy is another food stuff that is generally perfectly
acceptable on a gluten free diet, again, as long as it hasn’t been
tampered with in any way.
Dairy such as: milk, cheese, cream, butter, yoghurt, and sour
cream, are all perfectly fine as they do not contain gluten.
A lot of people following a gluten-free diet however, often make
the mistake of avoiding dairy because of the lactose. Lactose
intolerance and a wheat intolerance are two completely different
things entirely.
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Foods To Avoid
Below we’ll be listing a series of foods and drinks to avoid on a
gluten-free diet. We won’t be going into detail about why each
one should be avoided because we all know that it’s because they
contain gluten, or they have been prepared in an environment
where gluten is present, and cross-contamination could have
occurred.
Foods to avoid on a gluten-free diet include:
• Pastas
• Breads
• Seasonings
• Spice mixes
• Crackers
• Wheat bran
• Wheat starch
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• Cereals
• Durum
• Couscous
• Wheat germ
• Spelt
• Semolina
• Rye
• Barley
• Sauces
• Processed meats
• Beer
• Wines
• Some ciders
• Some liquors such as whiskey
• Brewer’s yeast
• Baked and processed goods
• And more…
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As you continue through our Gluten Free guide, you’ll find even
more detailed information on what to eat so keep reading!
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Chapter 4 – 4 Benefits Of Going
Gluten Free
Adopting a gluten free diet and lifestyle may seem like a daunting
prospect at first, but when you hear some of the benefits you will
enjoy as a result of making the transition, you’ll wish you’d
looked into doing it sooner.
Benefits of going gluten free include:
More Energy
One common symptom of gluten sensitivity/celiac disease is a
lack of energy. Fatigue is very common in people dealing with
this digestive issue and it can therefore negatively affect other
aspects of your life as well.
If you experience an adverse reaction to consuming gluten, this
can leave you feeling bloated and sluggish. When we feel this
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way, all we want to do is sit down and do the bare minimum.
Studies have found that adopting a gluten free diet can help to
significantly increase physical and mental energy levels, leaving
you feeling energized and alert.
Prevent Digestive Issues
As you now know, if gluten negatively affects you, it is often your
digestive system that takes the brunt of everything. Gluten can
result in stomach cramps, gas, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea,
constipation, malnutrition, nausea, and much more besides.
Even the tiniest trace of gluten can negatively impact your
digestive health and wellness. By going gluten free however, you
can avoid all of the aforementioned issues and enjoy healthy
digestion in the process.
Reduce Inflammation
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Inflammation is often caused when gluten is consumed. While the
process is natural and is supposed to be beneficial, sometimes it
can have a negative affect on the body. Inflammation can cause
headaches, joint pain, muscular discomfort, and illness and
disease.
Going gluten-free however, helps to reduce markers of
inflammation within the body, such as antibody levels.
Furthermore, it also helps to reduce damage to the gut, again
caused by inflammation.
Weight Loss
While you should never adopt a gluten-free diet with the sole
intention of losing weight, one great advantage of following said
diet is the fact that weight loss will often occur.
This is because many foods containing gluten are high in calories
or can result in disruptions to hormone levels which can influence
weight gain. Not all gluten-free foods are healthy of course, so
just bear this in mind when following your gluten-free diet.
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If you eat healthy foods like vegetables, meats, fish, some fruits,
and drink plenty of water however, you will notice that you are
losing weight.
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Chapter 5 – Pitfalls To Avoid When
Going Gluten Free
Now we’ll be looking at a few common beginner mistakes to avoid
when you decide to go gluten free. Going gluten free is a lot
harder and more complex than most people realize. To help
ensure your gluten-free journey runs as smoothly as possible,
check out these beginner mistakes to avoid.
Not Reading Food Labels
First and foremost, one of the most common mistakes that
people make when following a gluten free diet, is failing to read
the list of ingredients on the food labels and packing.
Sausages for example, are generally thought of as being meat-
based products. Therefore, a lot of people make the mistake of
thinking that they are all suitable for a gluten free diet.
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Some brands however, contain cereals, grains, seasonings, or
flours that actually do contain gluten.
There are of course, 100% meat sausages, but some brands out
there do add other things to their recipes. This is just one of
many different examples. Basically, to avoid any potential
complications, always take the time to read the ingredients.
Assuming That All Gluten-Free Foods Are Safe
Oats, as we mentioned earlier, do not contain gluten. Despite
this, you still need to be extremely careful when eating oats, as
they are often processed and packaged in environments where
gluten is present.
Cross contamination is therefore a very real possibility. The best
advice we can give you here is to do as much research as
possible, and to not take any chances.
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Not Getting Enough Nutrients
Many people suffering with gluten sensitivity issues, or celiac
disease, often wind up becoming malnourished. Their bodies
struggle to absorb adequate amounts of the right nutrients, along
with the fact that sometimes they just don’t eat healthily enough.
Going gluten free does not guarantee that you’ll be getting
enough of the right nutrients on a daily basis. We all have our
most and least-favourite foods, so be sure to prioritize healthy
foods such as fruits and vegetables, that are high in vitamins and
minerals.
Quitting Too Early
Okay, time to get real here. When you transition over to a gluten-
free diet, this is a big step, and your body will not like it as first.
For the first two or three days, you will feel awful.
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You’ll feel tired, you’ll be hungry, you’ll have a headache, and
you’ll be craving the foods that you know you shouldn’t be eating.
You’ll basically want to go away and hibernate for a few months.
If you stick with it however, things will get better. Once your
body accepts the fact that gluten is gone, you’ll actually begin to
feel better than ever. If you can make it past the first few days,
you should be perfectly fine.
Overlooking Sauces, Seasonings, And
Condiments
After preparing your delicious gluten-free meal, out of habit, you
may reach for the nearest seasoning, sauce, or condiments in
general, and wonder why you’re bloated and in agony shortly
afterwards.
Though a little squeeze of sauce here, or a sprinkling of
seasoning there, may not seem like much, in reality even the
tiniest trace of gluten can potentially lead to some nasty side
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effects. Many sauces, seasonings, spices, and condiments contain
gluten, or could potentially contain gluten, so just be careful and
again, always read the packaging
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Chapter 6 – Shopping Tips For Living
A Gluten Free Life
On paper, going gluten-free is fairly easy. In the real world
however, things are a lot more complex.
Adopting a gluten free diet and lifestyle is far from easy, and it’s
certainly not just something that you can do on a whim.
Preparation is very much the key to success when it comes to
going gluten-free, which is why we’re going to be taking a look at
several shopping tips to help ensure you give yourself every
chance of success on your new healthy lifestyle.
Try New Sections In The Grocery Store
If you’re new to the world of gluten-free produce, chances are
you will also be new to the gluten-free, speciality, and ‘free-from’
sections of your local grocery store. You’ll be amazed by just how
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many different products you encounter when you branch out a
little and start exploring. Who knows, you may even discover a
new favourite product?
Be Wary Of Oats
By now you should know that oats, whilst being gluten-free, can
still trigger flare ups because of cross-contamination.
You can of course purchase gluten-free oats which guarantee the
oats themselves to be completely safe, but you may still need to
be careful. This is because oats contain another protein called
‘Avenin’ which is structurally very similar to gluten. This means
that it can sometimes cause similar symptoms.
If you try oats and find yourself experiencing no adverse side-
effects, by all means stick with that same brand.
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Find New Staples
If previously, some staple carbohydrates included things like
bread and pasta, once you go gluten-free, it will be quite the
shock to the system at first.
This is where it pays to find new staples to replace those that
used to upset your stomach, but which you relied so heavily
upon.
Instead of pasta, consider gluten-free noodles perhaps? Instead
of bread, consider things such as Quinoa.
We can’t guarantee that you will enjoy every gluten-free product
you encounter, but if you don’t try you won’t know.
Remember That Wheat-Free Isn’t Gluten-Free
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When shopping and reading the labels of food packaging, it’s
important to remember that wheat-free is not the same as
gluten-free.
Remember, although found in wheat, gluten is also found in
ingredients such as rye or barley.
Again, this is another reason why it’s so important to always
check food labels before purchasing any new products.
Make A List
Finally, before you even leave the house to go shopping, the first
thing you need to ensure is that you have a shopping list handy.
Don’t just walk into the store and see which gluten-free products
you can find, instead, write everything that you are going to need
down on a list as that way you won’t forget anything, and you will
likely get finished up much quicker as well.
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Well that’s a few shopping tips to consider when going gluten
free, in the next part of the guide we will look at a sample menu
that you can follow in your journey to living gluten free.
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Chapter 7 – A Sample Menu For A
Gluten Free Day
Just to ensure that you’re perfectly clear with regard to which
foods you can and cannot eat, and when, we’re now going to
provide you with a typical sample menu for a gluten free day.
You don’t need to incorporate this exact diet into your gluten-free
eating plan, nor do you even need to eat any of the foods listed
below if you don’t want. We simply want to provide you with a
rough idea of what you can and cannot eat and drink while
following a gluten free diet. So, take a look and see what you
think:
Breakfast – Fruit and Yoghurt
• 2/3 cup of Greek Yoghurt
• Handful of fresh blueberries
• Handful of toasted almond flakes
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• Drizzle of honey
*Top the yoghurt with the fruit, nuts, and honey
Snack
• 1 apple or an alternative piece of fruit
Lunch – Tuna Niçoise Salad
• 1 fresh tuna steak, cooked to your liking
• 1 handful of mixed leaves
• 2 sliced boiled eggs
• Handful of black olives
• 2 sliced tomatoes
• Quarter of a sliced cucumber
• Drizzle of gluten-free dressing
• Handful of blanched green beans
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Snack
• Handful of dry roasted regular cashew nuts
Dinner – Salmon, Baked Potato And Spinach
• 1 baked salmon fillet
• 1 handful of spinach leaves
• 1 baked potato
• Knob of butter or soured cream
Drinks
*Water, green tea, coffee, tea, fruit juice
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And there you have it, just one typical example of a basic gluten-
free diet plan that will get you through the day.
Remember, there are plenty of delicious recipes out there for you
to try, so don’t be afraid to look online and see what you can find.
Be sure to mix things up and have different foods on different
days to break the monotony.
In the next part we will look at ways to stay gluten free when
dining out with friends and family…onwards we go!
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Chapter 8 – Tips To Eating Out A
Gluten Free Diet
We aren’t here to sugar coat anything, so unfortunately, we must
inform you that dining out when you cannot consume gluten is
certainly going to be tricky.
While testing at times, it is certainly not impossible. To help make
your life even easier, we are now going to be sharing a series of
tips with you, based around gluten-free dining out.
Eat Earlier Or Later Than Usual
Restaurants are generally busier at certain times of the day, and
indeed, on certain days of the week, and that can be challenging
if you cannot consume gluten.
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When restaurant staff are busy and rushing around, they are
more likely to make mistakes and forget about any special
requests you may have made.
If for example, you need to request that your fries be cooked in
oil that has not been cross-contaminated, you can clearly and
concisely tell the waiting staff, who can then inform the kitchen.
If things are busy, this request could potentially be overlooked.
Try to find out when the busiest times are, and maybe arrive an
hour earlier, or later, to avoid the rush.
Read The Menu
As we’re living in the age of the internet, we can now browse a
menu in the comfort of our own homes. Before you leave for your
meal, look at the menu of the restaurant in question and find out
what they offer that would be suitable for a gluten-free diet, and
see if they have any speciality gluten-free options.
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More and more eateries now cater for gluten-free diets, so you
can now even order battered food made from gluten-free flour,
that has been fried in gluten-free oil.
Choose Carefully
When deciding on a restaurant, it may be wise to choose a
restaurant with plenty of gluten-free options. This not only means
you can have more variety and more to choose from, but it also
means that the staff will likely be qualified and experienced to
deal with gluten-free diets and requests. This again minimizes the
risks of mistakes happening, or cross-contamination.
Be Clear On What You Need
If possible, speak to the chef or the manager of the restaurant
and be clear on exactly what you need. Remember, restaurants
often share preparation surfaces, knives, cutlery, fryers, grills,
pans, and so on.
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This is why cross contamination is so important. Even something
as basic as the chef washing their hands before they prepare your
meal will make a massive difference.
If a chef is preparing fish and chips for example, they won’t wash
their hands after each individual fish they prepare. They wash
their hands when the fish has been floured and dipped into the
batter.
If they were to then prepare your gluten-free version, even
though there would only be small traces of gluten, this would still
be enough to trigger a reaction. Washing their hands would
therefore make all of the difference.
Ask Questions
Finally, before you tuck into your meal, be sure to speak to the
server and ask them to confirm it is gluten-free. If there’s a salad
dressing, or a sauce, even on the side, that you don’t recognise,
again ask the server. If they aren’t sure they’ll ask the chef, who
will then confirm that it is, or is not, gluten free.
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Thank Them Generously
While we aren’t here to tell you when to tip, and how much, it is
worth noting that kitchen environments, and restaurants
themselves, can be stressful places to work at the best of times.
As a way of thanking the kitchen staff and servers for going the
extra mile for you, you may want to do the same for them to
show them your appreciation.
If you plan on eating there again, they will also likely remember
and look after you, which is certainly not a bad thing.
Well hopefully these tips come in handy when you have to dine
out. Any little thing you can do to continue living gluten free will
greatly improve your results and your health!
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Chapter 9 – Gluten Free Living For
The Whole Family
If you’re able bodied and able to look after yourself, gluten free
living is still very testing. If you are unable to do so however, it
becomes even harder than ever.
Children for example, are unable to buy and prepare their food,
so they rely on their parents or guardians.
A child with a gluten sensitivity therefore, will require even more
care and attention. Seniors who are perhaps not as able bodied
as they once were, will also need catering for if they are unable
to consume gluten.
It may be challenging at first, but once you’ve got the hang of it,
preparing food for family members, young and old, who cannot
consume gluten, is actually a breeze.
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Here are some useful tips to help the whole family live gluten free
Always Wipe Down Surfaces
Whether it’s a chopping board or a kitchen work surface, when
you prepare food of any kind, always wipe down work surfaces
once you’ve finished. Use a good quality anti-bacterial cleaner,
along with hot soapy water.
Always Prepare Gluten-Free Food Separately
It might sound like a bit of hassle, but gluten-free meals should
always be prepared separately to regular meals. Again, this is
largely because of cross-contamination. Even if you are sure
you’ve adequately cleaned up, you should never prepare a
gluten-free meal directly after a regular meal.
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Be Very Strict When It Comes To Cross
Contamination
Cross contamination is one of the biggest headaches when it
comes to preparing gluten free meals. Wiping down food
preparation surfaces is a good start, but you also need to be wary
of the cloths you use, the knives, chopping boards, where the
food is being stored, and much more besides.
You also need to be careful when it comes to pots, pans, and oils.
Ideally it is best to purchase separate chopping boards, cloths,
knives, cutlery, oils, pots, and pans that you use exclusively for
preparing your gluten free meals only. This way, the chances of
cross contamination happening are reduced exponentially.
Store Gluten-Free Ingredients In A Separate
Cupboard
Another very useful tip when it comes to going gluten-free, is to
store ingredients in a separate cupboard. This cupboard will
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therefore be used purely for gluten-free ingredients. You could
even go a step further and install a mini fridge/freezer to store
frozen gluten-free produce such as meat, fish, and frozen
veggies.
Try Plenty Of New Foods
Gluten free diets are now more heavily catered for than ever
before, meaning that there are all kinds of delicious, weird, and
wonderful ingredients for you to try.
You can buy gluten-free pasta, gluten-free bread, gluten-free
flour, and much more besides.
Why not get creative in the kitchen and try new things? This
ensures that the lucky family members that get to eat the foods
will have plenty of variety to choose from.
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Conclusion– Steps To Start Today &
Long Term Lifestyle Change
When beginning any new journey, the first steps are always the
most challenging. Going gluten free isn’t just like going on a diet
to lose a few pounds. Going gluten-free is about changing your
entire lifestyle.
It’s a big step, but if you do your research, take your time, and
follow our advice and guidance, it is more than possible.
Here are a few tips to help you begin making the transition over
to a gluten-free diet and lifestyle.
Remember That It’s Okay To Miss Old
Favourites
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A lot of people starting gluten-free diets often find themselves in
denial. People often ask them that age-old question of ‘Don’t you
miss bread’? and they often reply with ‘No, I thought I would, but
I don’t’.
Now, if you genuinely feel that way then that’s great, but if deep
down you are craving bread and pasta, and want nothing more
than to eat them again, just remember that it’s okay to grieve for
them.
It will be tough in the early stages, but as time goes by and you
learn how to cope without them, and what to use in their places,
it will get much easier and you will feel much better.
Do Your Research
The reason why we have compiled this useful guide today is to
inform and educate, though there is always room to learn more.
The more you know about your condition, the easier it will be to
make the transition. Look online, speak to the experts, read
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books, watch videos, join forums, ask questions, and find out as
much about gluten sensitivity/Celiac disease as you possibly can.
Speak To Your Friends And Family
Another important step to take is to get in contact with friends
and family members and to inform them of your condition, and
your new lifestyle.
This is important because it will make life easier for family
gatherings, parties, meals out, and so on. They will know to cater
for you and will know to purchase gluten-free ingredients.
Perhaps link them to useful guides and documents, such as this
one, to help them learn more about your condition and about
what they can do to help.
Throw Out Temptations
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As hard to believe as it may be, there are people out there with
diagnosed gluten sensitivity issues, that ignore doctor’s advice
and deliberately eat foods they are craving that contain gluten,
despite knowing what it will do to them.
Sure, eating that pizza may give them a few minutes of
satisfaction, but when their stomachs have ballooned in size, and
they’re doubled over in agony, suffering from all manner of
digestive issues, suddenly they wish they hadn’t bothered.
You will get the cravings, and you may be tempted to throw
caution to the wind and risk eating gluten. After all, maybe your
condition has cured itself, or maybe you’ll just get a bit of wind
that passes in a few minutes?
Our advice here is not to risk it. Before buying your gluten-free
ingredients, empty your cupboards and get rid of any foods
containing gluten, that you will likely be tempted by. As far as
other family members, maybe ask them to store foods out of
sight, somewhere where you are unlikely to look if you are
worried about breaking your diet.
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Well we’ve reached the end of our beginners guide to living
gluten free, we hope you have enjoyed it!
Thank you for joining me in this new journey and all the best with
your future Gluten Free Living… onwards and upwards from here!
Compliments of Gluten Food List.com
https://glutenfoodlist.com