More than a trendy diet, living a gluten-free lifestyle can make the difference between feeling vibrant & energetic and sluggish & ill. Ready to embark on a GF journey but wondering what to do when you get a snack attack? Here’s reassuring news: you will not starve.
Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are becoming increasingly prevalent, but just what is gluten, anyway? Gluten is a combination of two proteins that gives dough its elasticity. It keeps cookies from crumbling into your milk and gives breads that comforting, chewy texture. It is found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, kamut and spelt. Gluten is hidden in many products, too, making avoiding it all the more challenging. Vinegar, soup broths and products with seasonings also contain gluten.
Changes usually have a better chance of becoming habits when they are made gradually. I found that some of the things I already liked to eat were gluten-free. Maybe the same will be true for you!
My Favorite Go-To Gluten-Free Eats
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
Items in the produce section of the grocery store are great, but be vigilant of canned and frozen goods. Additives in these products can sometimes contain trace gluten.
Greek Yogurt
I’m a big yogurt fan, and Greek yogurt is mostly gluten-free. If you like to give your yogurt crunch factor, try Enjoy Life granolas. They are different than a wheat-based product, but the taste and texture add body to plain yogurt.
Trader Joe’s Products
Trader Joe’s takes the guesswork out of finding gluten-free products in its stores by marking them clearly with a lower-case “g.” If you want to see what’s available before you shop, you can find a comprehensive guide to all of Trader Joe’s “No Gluten Ingredients Used” products here. My favorites? Kettle Corn, Envirokids Peanut Butter Panda Puffs cereal, Savory Thin Mini Edamame Crackers and Fruit Floes popsicles from the freezer section.
Wegmans Products
Wegmans has many of its gluten-free offerings grouped together in one location, which is a real plus in their expansive stores. Gluten-free items that are not concentrated in the natural/organic foods section bear an orange dot with a “G” on it to make it easier to spot items you want in other aisles. I got the supplies I needed to make my own gluten-free baking mix at Wegmans. I was worried that it would be hard to find these items, but everything was so neatly organized that I had no problem.
Although going gluten-free can result in weight loss from eating fewer-to-no traditionally prepared wheat products, it is not widely recognized as a diet for weight loss. Many people who have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance cannot eat even trace gluten without having a reaction. Although I have found that my body is sensitive to gluten and I feel better when I don’t eat it, my ability to function day-to-day does not depend on not consuming gluten. If you start making even small diet changes to eliminate gluten, maybe you’ll find you feel a little better, too!
