Tips for Living a Gluten Free Lifestyle
Transitioning to a gluten free lifestyle, whether due to an allergy, intolerance or simply preference, is not always easy. You know what they say… change usually takes time to get adjusted to. While it can be initially overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be dreadful and will get better with time and practice! Whoa Dough has seven incredibly beneficial tips for living a gluten free lifestyle to get you started! We’ve been there, done that and are here to provide you with the inside scoop to make the transition a whole lot easier.
1) Find Your Favorite Gluten Free Brands
Coming from someone who has transitioned to a gluten free diet more than five years ago now, I can easily attest that finding good brands is the make or break in the journey. When you are first starting out trying every new brand you come by, you may become discouraged when some lack any flavor and are extremely dry. However, this is no longer the case! Gluten free foods have come a long way and thankfully, there are a number of people who have done this before and can save you the trouble! There are various great online articles and resources you can browse to find which brands have the best reviews. You can also check out Whoa Dough’s favorite gluten free, vegan brands from our article 'New Year, New Healthy Snacks' for some initial inspiration!
2) Follow Gluten Free Influencers on Social Media
One of the easiest ways to expand your awareness and learn more about amazing gluten free finds is to follow social media influencers! Influencers who have adopted a gluten free lifestyle are extremely likely to have tried a variety of gluten free brands and know which ones are best. Make the transition easier on yourself by trying brands influencers recommend!
3) Learn How to Shop: Reading Food Labels
One of the most difficult adjustments to make when going gluten free is learning which foods contain gluten and which ones do not. We’re going to be honest… sometimes gluten can be sneaky! It will hide in foods you least expect it to. Although gluten is most easily recognized in starchy snacks, breads or baked goods, it can also be found in various salad dressings, sauces or condiments. It’s important to take some time to educate yourself so you can finally leave the sore stomach aches and belly bloating in the past.
4) Be Prepared and Always Carry Snacks
Because not everyone follows a gluten free diet it is important to be prepared in a pinch. If you’ve ever been hangry (hungry and angry at the same time), you know this is not a pleasant experience. Therefore, you should always keep a backup snack in your purse, car or backpack for when you need it most.
5) Have Fun and Experiment with Baking & Cooking
Transitioning to a gluten free diet doesn’t have to be the worst thing in the world. It’s truly all what you make of it! Lean into this new lifestyle by educating yourself, as well as being creative in the kitchen. There are so many great gluten free recipes to try. Buy a gluten free cookbook or surf the web for some easy beginner recipes to get started.
6) Download an App Your Smartphone
Utilize technology and download an app right onto your phone to help you out with all things gluten free. There are a number of different apps that can help you find out if certain foods contain gluten or not. There is also an app called ‘Find Me Gluten Free’ that helps you locate gluten friendly restaurants closest to you.
7) Watch Out for Cross Contamination
Oftentimes foods that are naturally gluten free come into contact with foods that contain gluten. This can be the case in manufacturing facilities, at restaurants or even on the countertops in your own home. If you have a severe allergy, watching out for cross contamination is critical to alleviate any potential allergy outbreaks. Make sure to carefully read food labels, inform your server at the restaurant of your allergy, as well as thoroughly clean surfaces throughout your home.