There are many common myths about being gluten-free, for example, one being that you will not be able to find anything to eat at your favorite restaurants. This is incorrect, in the last several years, a huge amount of restaurants came out with their nutrition and allergen information publicly either online or in person at the establishment.
This is going to be your best friend.
Being gluten-free is not all that hard, once you get the hang of it. In the beginning, make sure to keep in mind the nutritional information of everything that you eat. You never know when a company sneaks in gluten in their product or leaves traces of it from cross-contamination. These labels can be found on the nutritional label on the side of the product or online, on the front saying that it is “Certified Gluten-Free”, and on all of the allergen listing. The main ingredients to avoid when one is avoiding gluten are: wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer’s yeast, and most oats. Just keep an eye on these labels, and you are good to go!
The good thing about your favorite restaurants are that most places are coming out with gluten-free menus and options, as well as are used to accommodating to special dietary needs. For example, Noodles and Company, known for its pasta dishes, have a substitute for gluten-free or rice noodles! In addition to that, they ask when you are ordering if it is a preference or allergy as to why you are asking for those instead, so that they can prepare it in a complete environment without gluten to avoid cross contamination if they need to.
When in doubt, look it up! There are thousands of gluten-free recipes online. A favorite is to go on Pinterest.com and search for recipes, you have so many to choose from! Do not be afraid to try new recipes, even if you might not like some of the ingredients in it, you could always substitute other ingredients in place of them.
If you find that you are still struggling with avoiding gluten, consult a registered dietitian or your doctor for more information. They have the professional expertise on nutrition and diets, and may even provide you with specific meals and food plans.
Check in with this blog for more information on food, restaurants, and recipes to help you “Hold the Gluten!” and continue your path!
-No Wheat Wendy