Tips For The Newly Gluten-Intolerant

Going gluten-free can seem daunting. But don’t let it get you down – here are some first steps to ease you in.

There’s no getting around it, being a newly gluten-intolerant is intimidating. There’s suddenly a whole new culinary world to be introduced to, and the food you thought nourished you is in fact toxic. I understand.

Going gluten-free forced me to completely change the way I ate and cooked. It provided me with the challenge of re-working the recipes of the foods I loved into a new, healthier form. Since mastering my new lifestyle, I can safely say that going gluten-free has been an incredibly full and healing diet for me. Now I want to help you transform your life.

Know your condition

The first thing to do is educate yourself. Really research your condition, understand why your body is this way and the harm gluten has been inflicting on your life.  

It may sound cliche, but knowledge is power. Knowledge will give you the confidence and courage to start making decisions and changing your diet.

Purge

Time to take action. Rid yourself of anything in the house that is now toxic to you. This is where all your research gets put into practice. Banish bad foods and bring in fresh, healthy and inspiring ingredients.

You may also have to replace or thoroughly clean utensils and kitchen items that may have been contaminated by gluten. Although this sounds extreme, it’s really crucial that you start afresh and begin healing your body.

Plan and document

This step is so vital, and something I still do to this day.

Get used to your new lifestyle by writing meal plans. This will help you introduce new recipes, keep track of new foods you’re enjoying and gives your new diet variety.

Something to really avoid is eating the same meal over and over. It’s so discouraging and depletes any inspiration. Trying and learning new things gives you the excitement and encouragement to keep going. Keeping a gluten-free diary can also help this, linking how you feel mentally and physically to what you’re eating soon instills your culinary habits with a certain power and responsibility. Making this diary a blog would be a great help to you – and others – if you feel like sharing your story…

Utilize social media

I cannot describe how encouraging and supportive following like-minded people on Instagram can be. Simply logging on and glancing through your feed can provide you with an array of new recipes, tips, tricks and enlightenment.

Using your own social media can help you document, as well as take pride in your beautiful dishes. Simply knowing other people are doing the same is a great comfort and helps you feel less alone. The gluten-free community is a very welcoming one; you’ll soon find your favorite accounts that continually inspire you. It’s impossible to choose my favorites, but here’s a few who’ve inspired me:

@glutenfree.followme’s Jackie makes amazing treats as well as beautifully healthy dishes. A real balance of recipes making her perfect to follow.

@henriettainman is a fantastic account to follow for baked goods. The idea of baking when you’re new to being gluten-free can be tricky, but Henrietta makes it oh so simple.

@georgeats I love Georgia’s Instagram. She posts the greatest travel pictures, as well as beautiful food. She’s inspired me when I’m stuck for recipes on countless occasions.

I’d love to hear from you if you’re just starting out on your gluten-free journey! Visit me on Facebook or Instagram.