There are many common myths about being gluten-free, for example, one is that you won’t be able to find anything to eat at your favorite restaurants. This is incorrect, in recent years, a large number of restaurants posted their nutrition and allergen information publicly, either online or in person at the establishment.
This will be your best friend.
Being gluten free is not that difficult, once you get the hang of it. At first, be sure to consider the nutritional information on everything you eat. You never know when a company infiltrates gluten into their product or leaves traces of cross contamination. These labels can be found on the nutrition label on the side of the product or online, on the front that says it is “Certified Gluten Free” and on the entire allergen list. The main ingredients to avoid when avoiding gluten are: wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer’s yeast, and most oats. Just keep an eye on these labels and voila!
The good thing about your favorite restaurants is that most places offer gluten-free menus and options, as well as being used to adapting to special dietary needs. For example, Noodles and Company, known for their pasta dishes, has a substitute for gluten-free or rice noodles! On top of that, they ask when you order if it’s a preference or allergy why you’re ordering those instead, so they can prepare it in a full gluten-free environment to avoid cross contamination if necessary.
When in doubt, look it up! There are thousands of gluten-free recipes online. A favorite is going to Pinterest.com and browsing for recipes – you have so many to choose from! Don’t be afraid to try new recipes, even if you don’t like some of the ingredients it contains, you can always substitute other ingredients for them.
If you find that you still have a hard time avoiding gluten, check with a registered dietitian or your doctor for more information. They have the professional nutrition and diet experience and can even provide you with specific meals and meal plans.
Check out this blog for more information on food, restaurants, and recipes to help you “Stick with Gluten!” and go your way!
– No wheat Wendy