Article provided by Gluten Free Diva

(May 2011) “It’s so easy to be gluten free.” I know what you’re thinking. “She’s crazy. She’s out of her mind. Doesn’t she know how hard it is? I’m really struggling!” I know about the challenges of going gluten free. I’ve been a member of the club—thanks to my diagnosis of celiac disease—for more than five years. From day one, I decided to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Not only do I feel healthy, I also now know what it’s like to feel good after every meal! So, let me share my six strategies for successfully living a gluten-free life.

Eat plenty of real, naturally gluten-free foods
Avoid a steady diet of packaged gluten-free foods. Many of them are devoid of healthy ingredients, full of empty calories, high in sugar, and low in fiber.

Be aware of cross contamination
Be sure that everything you eat contains no gluten and has had no contact with it. Whether you eat packaged gluten-free foods or dine in a restaurant, ask questions. Call the company that makes the food. Speak with the restaurant manager and make sure the waitstaff understands your needs. Cross contamination can also be a real threat to eating gluten free at home. Make your kitchen a gluten-free haven; if not the entire kitchen, than at least part of it.

Enlist the help and support of friends and family
Those who understand why you must follow a gluten-free diet, regardless of whether you have celiac disease, are gluten intolerant, or gluten sensitive. By educating your family and friends, you can help them learn that celiac disease and/or issues with gluten can run in families. When I was diagnosed, the gastroenterologist recommended that all of my family members be tested. For additional support, join a local celiac support group. Online listserves are a great way to find support, as well as an ideal way to learn what others are saying about eating a gluten-free diet.

Eating gluten free doesn’t have to mean avoiding comfort foods that you and your family love
There are many ways to cook your favorite recipes that might require a slight shift to accommodate your gluten-free lifestyle. For example, if a recipe calls for soy sauce, substitute San-J Wheat Free Tamari. Or if you’re making enchiladas, instead of using wheat flour tortillas, try substituting with rice wraps. By regularly preparing foods that your family loves, it will be easier for them to support your decision to be gluten free. While you’re at it, plan a regular rotation of recipes. And avoid preparing a time-consuming gluten-free and non-gluten-free option for each meal. Instead, make one gluten-free option that everybody will love. By planning your meals, you will eat safely, save time and money, and avoid that last-minute “I have nothing to eat” scenario.

There is a wealth of online gluten-free information
Is soy sauce gluten free? What about rolled oats? Want to make a gluten-free version of your Aunt Betty’s Banana Bread? Google it! And don’t forget your local library.

Maintaining a positive attitude is key
You’ll empower yourself and provide a model for others. And though there is a learning curve, be patient. In time, you’ll be a seasoned pro!

Ellen Allard began her blog (www.glutenfreediva.com) in 2006 after being diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder believed to affect 1 out of every 133 people.