Yep, that's me, Gluten Free!

Talking with people who aren’t gluten free about being gluten free has its extremes. You have people that know about it and people who have never heard the word ‘gluten’. Being GF doesn’t mean we miss out on things, it just means we have to be more inventive than the next person with our food. GF food has come a long way, even the 2 years that I have been GF. But I meet people who are just becoming GF and it pains me because they are going through what I went, and still am, going through.

It’s hard. I admit, especially as an adult, that it’s extremely difficult at times to eat and eat well. You know what you are missing. I was speaking to someone the other day who is GF. But she only has been for 6 months. I cringed when she told me that she still eats what she wants and suffers through it. I thought, “Don’t you know what you are putting your body through?” I was horrified after I went home and thought more about our conversation. Her main complaint was that it is hard to find things to eat that you want to eat. I agree.

Here are some tips that might help people in her same situation:

1. Keep foods on hand that you really like and will eat often.

2. Keep healthy snack foods on hand so that if you do not know what you want, you can snack on something that isn’t high calorie/high fat until you find something to fix.

3. Keep quick cooking foods around like GF spaghetti.

4. If you don’t eat GF bread all the time, keep some in the freezer. It keeps better and it’s ready in a jiffy when you want a quick sandwich.

5. Keep staples that you and your family eat, i.e. eggs, peanut butter (if you aren’t allergic to nuts), jelly, salsa, etc. On hand.

6. Make a ‘go to’ list of foods and recipes that you can access if you get stuck. Add to that list when you find a new one.

7. Try different GF foods. You have to try the different brands to find the ones you like. When you like them, keep a list in your coupon holder or your phone so it’s at the ready when you are.

8. When you find the brands you like, and they freeze well, keep a GF section in your freezer at home.

9. Different stores have different selections. Make sure if you go in to a store you do not frequent often, you take a peek to see if they have a GF section. Same with the one you frequent. They might add new stock and you didn’t know it!

10. Be open to new and organic foods. A lot of organic foods are GF. They can be expensive, but you can shop around…in the stores and online too!

One more thing…look at the labels. Just because you are eating GF doesn’t mean you are eating healthy! It takes a while to becoming used to being GF. 2 years and I still am not used to it.

Be patient, find a support group, live your life and love that you are taking care of your body. It’s the only one you have!

Happy Eating Everyone!